IT is one of the most watched non-sports annual events in the world, and this year everyone will be focusing on Basel, Switzerland, the host of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest.
The European Broadcasting League organized the competition was founded in 69 years in the decade after the end of World War II, but events known for their spectacular choreography, fireworks techniques on the stage and lack of subtlety are also another year of protests against the protests that Israel encountered in Israel, which is also a staring protest in the gaze.
This is something to know.
How does Eurovision work?
Every year, participating countries submit a song and artist, which is usually performed in three live TV shows in May. The country is selected to participate based on its membership in the EBU, so why non-European countries like Australia and Israel participate.
The song must be original and not exceed three minutes, the lead singer must be performed live, it is impossible to have live performances, and during the performance, there are no more than six performers at a time.
Fans then vote through 1 to 12 songs (12 points) via phone, SMS, or Eurovision app. Jury - Representatives of each participating country, also provide songs through Zoom Call. One warning is that jurors and voters are not allowed to vote for their own country.
In the semifinals, only voters from countries that are eligible and non-participating can vote, and only the audience’s TV shows can determine the eligible country.
In the finals, all competing and non-participating countries can vote. Audience TV adds the points to the jury to determine the winner.
From 37 countries participating this year, 26 will participate in the finals. Fans’ favorites include Sweden’s “Bara Bada Bastu”, roughly translated into Sauna performed by Kaj.
When will the European TV finals be and how should I watch it?
This year's final will be held on May 17 in Jakobshalle, 12,000 People's Arena in Basel. Switzerland is the host of this year as Swiss singer Nemo won last year's popular rap song "The Code". Traditionally, the winning country hosts next year's match unless it is held in Liverpool, England in 2023 in lieu of Ukraine, whose Kalush Orchestra won in 2022, but cannot be held due to its ongoing war with Russia.
Before the final, there are two live semi-finals on May 13 and May 15. The performance can be watched on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The final will be displayed on each participating broadcaster and will be broadcast live on YouTube. In the United States, it will be exclusively performed on the Peacock, starting at 3pm ET
Who competes in the finals?
The finalists of this year's alphabetical finalists are:
- Albania: shkodra electronics - "zjerm"
- Armenia: Pag - “survivor"
- Austria: JJ - "Waste Love"
- Denmark: sissy- "Illusion"
- Estonia: Tommy Cash - "Espresso"
- Finland: Erika Vikman - “Ich Kommon”
- France: Luan-"Maman"
- Germany: Abor & Tynna - "Baller"
- Greece: Piano - "Starlight"
- Iceland: wæb-"Calm"
- Israel: Yuval Raphael - "A new day will rise"
- Italy: Lucio Corsi - "I want to be a tough guy"
- Latvia: Folk Girls - "Bur Me Happenays"
- Lithuania: Catholicism - "Your Eyes"
- Luxembourg: Laura Thorn - "Doll Rises"
- Malta: Miriana Conte-"Service"
- Netherlands: Claude - "This is life"
- Norway: Kyle Alessandro - "Light"
- Poland: Justyna Steczkowska-"Gaja"
- Portugal: Napa - "dislocation"
- San Marino: Gabry Ponte - "All Italy"
- Spain: Melody - "ESA Diva"
- Sweden: Kaj-"Just Bath Sauna"
- Switzerland: Zoe more - "Sailing"
- UK: Remember Monday - "What the hell happened?"
- Ukraine: Ziferblat - "Prayer Bird"
Six of these countries automatically qualify for the finals: the Swiss host country, as well as the "Big Five" countries, making the most financial contribution to the competition - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom
Of the 15 countries participating in the first semifinals, five were eliminated: Slovenia, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Croatia and Cyprus. Then in the second semifinal, six of the other 16 countries were eliminated: Australia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Ireland, Montenegro and Serbia.
Why are there protests?
Eurovision permanently adopted the slogan of "Union through Music" in November 2023, but it seems to be more promising than the declaration.
Israel's Yuval Raphael is eligible for the finals this year. During a preview show on Thursday, six viewers blew whistles and raised the Palestinian flag that was larger than the arena’s restrictions on the size of the flag. Demonstrators were escorted out of the stage. Others marched in Basel to protest Israel's entry into the game. Some pointed out that Russia was excluded from the game after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In the past few weeks, the national broadcasters in Iceland, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain competed for the first time in 1973. "We will continue to listen to all members. Just like all the discussions we have in 2024, we will have a broader discussion at the end of all participating events to show all aspects of each aspect, which is the effect of each aspect.
This year, more than 70 former participants, including last year's winner Nemo, signed a letter calling for Israel to be excluded from the game as it has been bombing Gaza, which is estimated to have killed at least 50,000 Palestinians since October 2023.
"By continuing to represent the platform Israeli state, the EBU is normalizing and painting its crimes," the letter reads. "The EBU has proven it can take steps, just like when expelling Russia from its competitors in 2022. We do not accept this double standard about Israel."
Raphael, a survivor on October 7, 2023, attacked Israel’s Rising Star Festival, which ignited the war for the last year and a half, and last year she described to the UN Human Rights Commission her experience seeking refuge in a bomb shelter for eight hours. "The physical injuries I suffered are healing, but the psychological scars will always be with me," she said.
Raphael told the BBC that she hoped to hear the boo: "But we sing here, I'll sing for everyone."
Last year's game was also thrilled by protests, with thousands of pro-Palestine protesters traveling through Sweden's city of Malmo calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Before the final, hundreds of people gathered outside the Malmo Arena, including climate activist Greta Thunberg. Eden Golan, who represented Israel last year, encountered cheers and boos while taking the stage.
“There are a lot of things that don’t seem to be all about love and solidarity, and it makes me feel very sad,” Nemo said in the match last year. “I hope this match delivers on its promise and continues to represent the peace and dignity of everyone.” Nemo told Huffpost UK this year: “Israel’s actions are in line with the values that Eurovision advocates for upholding people, as well as respect for human rights and respect for human rights.”