Every year since 1956, Europe has hosted a bizarre but beloved cultural event called the Eurovision Song Contest. Although it is largely unknown in America, Eurovision has a worldwide following in the tens of millions who appreciate its cheesy pop songs and general celebration of kitsch.

The 54th annual Eurovision contest will take place on May 16 in Moscow. You can watch all the entries any time, or the live final, here on the official Web site. Or, for a quick overview of this year's contest, click here. (Feel free to skip the four pages of anti-American comments from outraged Norwegians.)

Eurovision fans realize the music is often terrible and so are the costumes and dancing, but love it anyway. For the uninitiated, here is a selection of five numbers that nicely demonstrate Eurovision's peculiar music and fashion sensibilities.

Linda (Netherlands, 2000)

Quite a catchy song by the standards of Dutch pop music, but unfortunately Linda's dress became more famous than she ever did.

Verka Serducka (Ukraine, 2007)

What's not to love about a middle-aged Ukranian drag queen in an aluminum foil outfit?

Olivia Newton John (U.K., 1974)

Not a great song, but that dress will live on in your nightmares.

ABBA (Sweden, 1974)

The original Eurovision superstars, ABBA sang in English but dressed in Swedish.

Bucks Fizz (U.K., 1981)
Believe it or not, the skirt-snatch at around 1.37 on the video is considered a legendary moment in the fashion history of Eurovision.