At this year's Eurovision Song contest finals, 43 countries are represented in Lisbon. Just 26 will appear in the final round on Saturday, in a concert televised live across Europe and in many other parts of the world. The event can mean instant STARDOM for participants, and over the years there have been some amazing performances, not to mention some interesting characters like the 2014 Austrian winner Conchita Wurst, who performed in drag. Cliff Richard, Celine Dion, and Nana Mouskouri all enjoyed fame following their respective appearances at Eurovision. Whether they're attempting to RE-IGNITE their career, or still have a flourishing one ahead of them, Eurovision is one of those pivotal TIMES for any aspiring musician. Al Goodman reports from Lisbon, Portugal.

An impromptu concert in Lisbon. Host to the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest finals on Saturday. All of the entertainers, like this group from Hungary, sharpening their tunes.

It's the 62nd edition of Eurovision, and acts from 26 countries will try to sing and dance their way to victory, as Europe tries to take a weekend out from the usual global tensions.

ORS SIKLOSI HUNGARY'S AWS BAND "There are so many wars, so many political problems in the world, but music is the only thing that brings us together."

Eleni Foureira of Cyprus and her song "Fuego" or "Fire" is among the favorites this year, say some oddsmakers.

Another is Israel's Netta, whose song "Toy" insists she won't be anybody's toy.

And there's Estonias Elina Necha-yeva, and her operatic La Forza, or The Force.

Millions of spectators across Europe will vote in real time for the winner on Saturday.

Al: Even the way that some countries vote for their neighbors and not for their enemies, isn't there politics involved?

Ors: You know, not for us.

But it will be a contest, in this concert venue in a newer section of Lisbon, right by the Tagus River.

Inside the complex, European reporters, many proudly sporting their national flags.

This Greek journalist has covered the Eurovision finals for 13 years straight.

CHRYSSA MARINOU GREEK JOURNALIST "We're having fun, the audience is having fun, no matter whether we like the winning song or not, and we are looking forward to the next year. It's a celebration."

AL GOODMAN LISBON, PORTUGAL "Sweden's ABBA and Spain's Julio Iglesias are just a few of the acts that shot to international fame after doing well at Eurovision in years past. So naturally, today's artists see a big potential payoff by participating."

Rehearsals like this before the finals, show some signs of artistic fraternity for an event that's kind of a musical glue that aims to hold the old continent together. Al Goodman, CGTN, Lisbon.