About ENCORE

Given the multifaceted nature of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), comprehensive analysis requires a collaborative approach; it is virtually impossible for a single researcher to capture its myriad dimensions in isolation. Consequent to this need, during the 2026 Paris ESC Conference, over twenty scholars representing fifteen countries convened to officially establish ENCORE: The Eurovision Song Contest Network for Collaboration, Research and Exploration. In founding this network, we aim to build upon and revitalize the foundational ESC network originally initiated in 2009.

Objectives and Scope

Provide

a platform for international, interdisciplinary, and critical perspectives

01

Foster

emerging methodological and theoretical approaches within the field

02

Honor and investigate

the complex, multidimensional nature of this contest

03

Why "ENCORE"?

The acronym « ENCORE » carries profound thematic resonance. In French, encore translates to both « again » and « still », two concepts that mirror the endurance of the contest. The ESC is iterative, returning again each year, and it remains still operational over seventy years after its inception. Furthermore, the name embeds the word « core, »underscoring our commitment to look beyond the superficial elements of the event and to establish this network as a central hub for rigorous and in-depth academic discourse.

Upcoming Initiatives

In the coming months, ENCORE will launch its foundational infrastructure and communication tools—including a dedicated mailing list, social media presence, and regular newsletters.

To sustain and institutionalize long-term scientific research on the Eurovision Song Contest, the network will also roll out several key initiatives:

A Comprehensive Directory of active ESC researchers and scholars

Scientific Events, symposia, and academic conferences

Collaborative Research Initiatives designed to bridge international scholarship