"A luta é alegria" (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐ ˈlutɐ ɛ ɐlɨˈɣɾiɐ]; English: The struggle is joy) was a 2011 protest song released by Homens da Luta, a Portuguese comedy musical street performance group.

[2] According to the band, the song was inspired by the peaceful Carnation Revolution in 1974 which overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo regime.

[4] A jury panel selected twenty-four entries for an online vote from 407 submissions received, which were revealed on 19 January 2011.

The outcome would earn controversy, as most of the audience booed or had left after it was announced that Homens da Luta had won.

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final.

On 17 January 2011, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in.