Acts from more than two dozen countries will take the stage in Basel, Switzerland, to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The annual pop song contest is a competition like no other, with countries from Europe — and beyond — vying for fan votes amid a sea of flags. The maple leaf has been largely absent from that sea despite Canadians singing for other countries.

BASEL, Switzerland — There has already been triumph and tears, singing onstage and in the streets, and a touch of political division, as the 69th Eurovision Song Contest approaches its grand final in the Swiss city of Basel .