Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday, with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message. The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

Eurovision has officially started, with the first round of semi-finals held Tuesday in the Swiss city of Basel.

BASEL, Switzerland — Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off Tuesday, with performers from 15 countries battling it out in Basel, Switzerland during the first of two semifinals of the pan-continental music extravaganza.

Celine Dion moved Eurovision fans when she made an appearance on the show in a pre-recorded video message for the semi-final.

Norway’s Kyle Alessandro, Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike and Sweden’s Kaj have qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest final in Basle, Switzerland. Also through is Dutch act Claude Kiambe, Iceland’s Vaeb and Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska.

Sweden, Ukraine and the Netherlands have qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.