It took place in Harrogate, United Kingdom, following the country's victory at the 1981 contest with the song "Making Your Mind Up" by Bucks Fizz.

Due to internal issues, regarding a reform of telecommunications laws France was left without a broadcaster responsible for its participation for the first time in history.

Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is a tourist destination and its visitor attractions include its spa waters and RHS Harlow Carr gardens.

In the 17th and 18th centuries its 'chalybeate' waters (containing iron) were a popular health treatment, and the influx of wealthy but sickly visitors contributed significantly to the wealth of the town.

[1] The grand convention and exhibition centre opened short time prior to the contest, and was the first big event held in the main 2000-seat auditorium.

According to press reports, Greek Minister of Culture and Sports Melina Mercouri had voiced her opposition to the chosen entry as being too low in quality.

The postcards themselves, utilizing state-of-the-art video technology (for its time), were a montage of footage of the artist in Harrogate town or at the International Flower Festival.

The English version (also produced by Siegel and Robert Jung [de]) of her Eurovision winner, "A Little Peace", subsequently shot to No.

Broadcasters were able to send commentators to provide coverage of the contest in their own native language and to relay information about the artists and songs to their television viewers.

[14] The contest was reportedly broadcast in 31 countries, including the participating countries, Greece, Jordan, Tunisia and in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Soviet Union via Intervision, with approximately 300 million television viewers and 200 million radio listeners following the contest.