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.

Performers from 15 countries battled it out in front of thousands of fans in Basel, Switzerland for 10 spots in Saturday’s final, with the result decided by viewers’ votes.

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