Ostland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Ostland debuted on the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959, and has participated in every edition since then. ONL, since its foundation, has been the national associate broadcaster from Ostland in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the national selection program is the Ostmusikk Fest, since 1981.

Selection process
Ostlandic entry for the contest was internally selected by a ONL delegation since their debut in 1959 until 1979, first selecting an artist or group, considering their popularity and "potential to highlight Ostlandic culture or talent above others". During that period, the selection was criticized for alleged corruption and censorship, only considering artists which where aligned with the Post-monarquic regime.

In 1969, two years after country's first win and one after helding the contest, ONL withdrew from the contest, in the middle of a large number of protests, and the later deposition of government in office. It also caused the resignation of ONL head directive.

On March 1970, ONL, led by a new directive, resumed operations with EBU and announced the return of the country to the contest. However, the designation of a new directive did not meant to make a change in the selection process, being still an internal selection, now being moderated by a spokeman designed by EBU.

In 1977, the popularity of the contest decreased after a streak of low placements. ONL started considering options, including withdrawing from the contest that year again, aggravated by country's financial crisis. On April 10, 1978, Hal Kasparson, member of country's entrant in 1967, The Volanters, submitted a letter to ONL delegation manifest his idea of " helding a concert of festival and letting people decide by themselves what they want to see in Eurovision that year ". Kasparson was later asked to be part of ONL department of Music and Culture, and consequently, part of Eurovision's team, what he rejected, but accepted being part of the planning and broadcasting of the new Musikgala called 'Musikgala pä Eurovisjon ' (lit.  Music festival to Eurovision ), later nicknamed Musikgala Euro.

Musikgala Euro was announced on August 1979, being held at Stor Nordstjörre Stadium, in Nordostat, with a capacity of 83,000. Tickets were put on sale on September 12, and became sold out three days after. However, the venue was originally set to held 40,000 spectators, but after the high demand of tickets, ONL ordered the venue to allow the selling of the rest of seats. The remaining tickets were put on sale on October 19, becoming sold out the same day in 2 hours, they being specially purchased by spectators from other cities across the country.

1967: First win and 'The Volanters' raise to fame
In 1964, Hal Kasparson, student of arts, formed a band called The Volanters consisting of him and 4 of his childhood friends: Mattjeus Aarset, Bjorn Hölle, Sigurd Rupperto, and Lucio Helgestat.