Christer Björkman: “Eurovision is the mothership and Melodifestivalen is its biggest satellite”.
In a few short months the so-called national final season will begin, when the majority of the participating countries of the Eurovision Song Contest select their respective entries for the competition. Some countries opt for an internal selection whilst others hold live finals to choose the artist and song that will take to the stage in May. In 2002 the format of the Swedish national selection, Melodifestivalen, was overhauled and has since become the biggest television show of the year in Sweden. The show has also revived Sweden’s fortunes at the Eurovision Song Contest itself. We met the man behind Melodifestivalen, Christer Björkman.