We met four Eurovision superfans to find out how they watch the contest, and what it means to them.

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Frank Lochthove, Germany

Mr. Lochthove’s parents allowed him to stay up late to watch the contest one evening in 1982, and he’s been a fan ever since. It’s not just the event, he said, it’s also the fans. For him, 2010 was an especially great year, because Germany came together to support its entry. “There were huge public viewings, everyone was so enthusiastic,” he said.

Mr. Lochthove, 45, recalled how hosting the soccer World Cup in 2006 had given Germany the opportunity to shed its postwar suspicion of flags and national pride to cheer on its team. But for Mr. Lochthove, the most important competition was the 2010 Eurovision, held in Oslo, which the German singer Lena won. “She managed to cast a spell on the whole audience,” he said.

Germany, despite being the one of the most populous countries in the contest, has won Eurovision only twice. Ireland is the most successful country, with seven wins; Sweden comes next, with six; and Britain and France have five each. (Germany’s soccer team has performed much better.)

Eurovision is followed by fans all year, even if the public at large tends to forget about it between the major competitions. Mr. Lochthove runs a club called ESC-Fans Berlin that puts on monthly karaoke parties. It also meets to watch and discuss the national contests that run throughout the year to select the acts that will compete in Eurovision.