Eurovision Song Contest 2011 — Düsseldorf edition

When and where

The competition's live shows were staged across three nights in May 2011. Two semi-finals selected the line-up for the final night. The final evening brought together the qualifiers and pre-qualified countries for a single televised show that crowned the contest winner.

Background and host selection

Germany hosted after its victory at the previous contest. The winning entry that secured the 2010 hosting rights was performed by Lena Meyer-Landrut, with the song that won the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo, Norway. Hosting duties included staging, production and the organisation of the semi-finals and final to accommodate delegations from across Europe and associated countries.

Format and participants

The 2011 contest retained the two semi-final system used since the late 2000s to manage a growing number of participating broadcasters. Each semi-final produced qualifiers for the final by a combination of public televote and professional juries. The shows featured a wide variety of musical styles and staging approaches, reflecting both established pop acts and lesser-known artists from participating countries.

Winner and significance

The winning entry was the duet represented by Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal, commonly credited as Ell & Nikki, performing the song "Running Scared". They represented Azerbaijan and achieved the country's first victory at the contest. The win brought increased attention to Azerbaijan as a participant and influenced the country’s cultural profile in the years that followed.

Notable features and legacy

• Production scale: the host broadcaster staged large-scale sets and LED-heavy lighting typical of modern Eurovision broadcasts.
• Voting: results continued to rely on a combined jury and televote system intended to balance professional appraisal and popular preference.
• Language and style: many entries used English to broaden appeal, while others retained national languages or mixed languages for artistic effect.

The 2011 contest is remembered for its polished production, the spread of contemporary pop styles across entries, and the milestone of a first-time winner in the form of Azerbaijan’s duet. It sits within the contest’s broader evolution toward large, televised events that blend music performance with national representation and staging innovation. For detailed results, participant lists and broadcast notes consult primary sources and broadcaster archives.