We seek original contributions in English or Spanish from scholars across disciplines for the
forthcoming De Gruyter volume Spanish Identity and Eurovision: Media, Politics, and Cultural
Performance. Please submit a 300–500-word abstract in English or Spanish to editors Marina
Cuzovic-Severn (mcuzovi@calstatela.edu) and José Eduardo Villalobos Graillet
(eduardovgraillet@isu.edu) by February 28, 2025.

Summary

The Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s longest running and most prestigious music
competition, draws an annual audience exceeding 100 million across 30+ countries. In recent
decades, a body of academic work has emerged, exploring Eurovision’s cultural significance,
media dynamics, and historical impact (Dubin et al 2022; Kalman et al 2019; Aragay 2017; West
2017; Tragaki 2013; Friker & Gluhovic 2013; Tobin & Raycoff 2007). However, no scholarly
work to date has systematically examined Spain’s participation in the contest, despite its storied
history in Eurovision since 1961 and its status as a “Big Five” member.

This volume aims to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical insights into
Spain’s Eurovision experience. By integrating academic rigor with first-hand accounts of the
contest’s inner workings, this volume will explore Spain’s national selection processes, the
evolution of its musical and cultural representation, and the broader implications of Eurovision
on national identity, media, and diplomacy.

Spain’s participation in Eurovision provides a unique lens through which to study the
intersection of music, culture, gender, sexuality, media, and geopolitics. The national broadcaster
RTVE’s strategies, the internal decision-making processes, and the country’s approach to cultural
diplomacy make Spain a compelling case study. Despite a history of both triumphs and
controversies, this area remains underexplored within academic and professional discourse.

This volume seeks to offer a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on Spain’s
Eurovision journey, analyzing its cultural, institutional, and political dimensions.

Themes

We welcome proposals addressing, but not limited to:

• Historical-political perspectives (Francoism, political implications, cultural evolution)
• Musical and performance analysis (styles, staging, costumes)
• Media and institutional dynamics (RTVE, selection processes, media coverage)
• Social media and audience engagement
• International relations and cultural diplomacy
• Case studies of specific performances/controversies
• Gender and sexuality studies (representation, performance, reception)