Basilea, Switerland – The world’s largest live music event has reached its conclusion with the grand finale on Saturday of the shine on Saturday of the Eurovision song contestto MUSIC AND UNIT CELEBRATION Rusvido by Discord about Israel’s participation.
A trio that sings to Sweden about the joys of the Saunas and an Austrian contracting of classical training are among those indicated by the Eurovision trophy in the form of a microphone in the contest in the contest Basilea, Switzerland.
But in the always unpredictable event, the prize could easily go to the powerful singers of France, the Netherlands or Finland, or even an Estonian who sings about Italian coffee. The last one starts at 9 pm local time.
Betting runners say that the favorite is And, representing Sweden With his ode to the sauna culture “Bara Bada Bastu”, followed by the pop-island song of the Austrian singer JJ “Wasted Love”.
Chanteuse Louane has increased the probabilities with “Maman”, as well as the Dutch singer Claude with the moving ballad “C’est la Vie” and Erika Vikman of Finland with the “Ich Komme” loaded with insinuations. Estonia’s Tommy cash He is also a contender with his highly caffeine dance dance song “Espresso Macchiato”.
Yuval Raphael de Israel He has won many fans with his anthem “New Day Will Rise”, but also faced the protests of pro-Palestinian protesters who asked Israel to be expelled from the contest about their behavior of the behavior of the behavior of the behavior of the behavior of the War against Hamas in Gaza.
Facts from 26 countries: cut from 37 participants to Two elimination semifinals – It will perform about 160 million viewers for the Pop crown of the continent. No smoke machine has been saved, flame jet or dizzying light screen that has been given 3 minutes to leave their mark.
Dean Vulletic, an expert in Eurovision history, said that competition has become more diverse over the years, both musically and linguistically. This year there are songs in 20 languages, including Ukrainians, Icelanders, Albanians, Lotones and Malteses.
“In the past it was about having a catchy and harmless pop song, usually in English,” he said. But in the last decade “we have seen that the songs commit themselves much more socially and politically, songs that present the public with some kind of meaning.”
“In recent years, the approach formulated for a Eurovision entry has not been successful,” he added. “An entry must be memorable and must be authentic to succeed these days.”
This year’s contest has been dragged per second year by disputes on Israel’s participation. Dozens of former participants, including last year’s winner Nemo from SwitzerlandThey have asked Israel to be excluded.
Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel protests have taken place in Basel, although on a much smaller scale than last year’s event in Sweden, where the tensions spread over the Backstage and the Dutch competitor Joost Klein was expelled by an alleged altercation with a crew member.
The European Broadcasting or EBU Union, which is directed by Eurovision, subsequently tightened the Code of Conduct of the Contest, asking the participants to respect the Eurovision values of “Universality, Diversity, Equality and Inclusiveness” and its political neutrality.
Artists say that Backstage’s atmosphere this year is more relaxed.
After a controversial prohibition in 2024 in the flags, apart from the nationals, which are stirred in the sand, this year the members of the audience can bring Palestinian flags or any other, provided they are legal according to the Swiss Law. However, artists can only shake the flag of their own country.
Axel Åhman, a third of the favorites Kaj, acknowledged that it is difficult to keep Eurovision a non -political event.
“The world always filters in a certain sense,” he told the AP. “But we are here to represent Sweden and we have prepared for this for all our lives and we want to make the most of our moment as artists in this huge and legendary competition.
“Then our main approach is there, and politics (we) try to leave EBU and those who really make decisions.”
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Associated Press Hilary Fox and Kwiyeon journalists contributed to this report.
