Iceland: Hera Björk’s participation in Eurovision 2024 is still uncertain!
Eurovision 2024 remains a hot topic in Iceland. Protests and letters to RÚV calling for Iceland’s withdrawal from the contest have been ongoing since the list of participating countries was revealed in December, including Israel.
In January, RÚV stated that the country’s participation in Malmö is uncertain and will be discussed after the conclusion of Söngvakeppnin 2024. The decision would be made by RÚV’s group and the winner of the national selection.
Söngvakeppnin 2024 was concluded last Saturday, with Hera Björk triumphing against all odds. Despite the backlash over the voting process that resulted in Bashar Murad, the hot favorite, losing, Iceland’s participation in Malmö remains uncertain.
Why does Iceland’s participation remain uncertain?
Considering the aforementioned situation in Iceland and according to RÚV announcement in January, the decision would be made following Söngvakeppnin 2024.
Hera Björk has repeatedly stated that she intends to return to the Eurovision stage as a solo artist before winning Söngvakeppnin in 2024.
I want to go out and I’m taking aunt Úlla with me.
However, no decision has still been made from RÚV’s side. According to Rúnari Frey Gíslason, the director of Söngvakeppnin:
The deadline for submitting data to the EBU is March 11. We are still looking into the matter.
It appears that Hera Björk’s team wants to go to Eurovision and we are awaiting whether a consensus will be achieved on RÚV’s group, which will take the final decision.
In case everything goes as planned, Iceland is allocated to perform at the second half of the first semi-final on May 7 with Hera Björk and “Scared of Heights“. It will be Hera Björk’s second time-as a representative-on the Eurovision stage, having previously represented Iceland in 2010.
Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!
Not all members of Hera Björk’s team want to go to Eurovision, because the Icelandic composer of the song, Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, has stated officially that she does not intend to go to Malmö, and in fact she suggested that the number two act should go, Bashar Murad. She points to several issues, including some problems with the voting in the final, as well as racist comments towards Murad in social media and Israel’s participation in light of the war they are conducting in Gaza. RUV will decide tomorrow if Iceland will participate.
https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2024-03-08-asdis-fylgir-sigurlaginu-ekki-i-eurovision-samviska-min-leyfir-thad-bara-ekki-406897