Ukraine: Which artist does Jamala want to see return to Eurovision?

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In a recent interview, 2016 Eurovision winner, Jamala named the artist she would like to see representing Ukraine again at Eurovision.

Jamala is confident that Tina Karol, one of the most well-known representatives of the country, could not only come back again but take the victory for Ukraine in the competition.  The artist already represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, celebrated in Athens with the song Show Me Your Love.  She finished in 7th place in the Final.

“I think that Tina Karol could do well in Eurovision.  There are cases of artists that previously participated [and do better] in their second participation.”

https://youtu.be/mRqhkwTIuU8?si=Tr7SVasaJ3WRJraC

However, Jamala is not thinking about a Eurovision return for herself.  When asked about the possibility she gave a negative answer because she already made history by winning and getting what she dreamed of.  Moreover, she said she would like to be a jury once again for the Ukrainian national selection.

Tina Karol already made a comeback during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool as an interval act.  Nevertheless, she is not representing Ukraine next year as she will be the new music producer of the national selection for Eurovision 2025.

Would you like to see Tina Karol returning to Eurovision to represent Ukraine?  Let us know in the comments!

Source: Union.net

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Nemo: “I Felt Very Alone” – The Israel Controversy and Lack of Support at Eurovision

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Nemo, this year’s Eurovision winner, stated that the contest’s organizers did not provide enough support to participants caught up in the controversy over Israel’s participation. In an interview with the BBC, the 25-year-old Swiss artist said they felt “very alone” during the competition and expressed hope that better support structures will be in place in the future. “I really hope they have things in place for the next year,” they said.

Ahead of Eurovision, there were calls for Israel to be banned due to military actions in Gaza, and protests took place in Malmö, Sweden, where the contest was hosted. Nemo and other artists were pressured to boycott the event, while Israel’s representative, Eden Golan, reportedly received death threats.

Nemo, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, described the backstage atmosphere as “quite tense,” with ongoing investigations by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). “They told us they would get back to us, but they haven’t yet. It’s a shame that the EBU takes so long, in my honest opinion,” they commented.

When asked if the organizers did enough to support the artists, Nemo responded, “No, I don’t think so. There were times I felt very alone, and it took a long time for them to get back to artists when they reached out.”

The EBU responded in a statement, acknowledging the artists’ experiences and promising changes, including a duty of care protocol for future participants.

Despite the controversy, Nemo emphasized the importance of Eurovision as a platform for cultural exchange. “At the core of this contest, I think it’s an exchange of different cultures and coming together. I really believe in that sentiment,” they said.

As the first non-binary artist to win Eurovision, Nemo’s victory was a significant moment for the LGBTQ community. “Only after Eurovision did I start to realize the scale of what this moment meant to so many people,” they noted, adding that the win gave hope to many queer people who felt seen and understood.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

Junior Eurovision 2024: The music video of “Stilla Ċkejkna” released!

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Three weeks ago, Ramires Sciberras won MJESC 2024, the Maltese national selection for Junior Eurovision 2024 with his song “Stilla Ċkejkna”. Just moments ago, the music video of “Stilla Ċkejkna” was uploaded on the official Junior Eurovision’s YouTube channel.

You can watch the music video of “Stilla Ċkejkna”, below:

How was Ramires selected?

PBS chose its Junior Eurovision 2024 act via Malta Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Following the combination of votes from a national jury on a percentage of 80% and public voting on a percentage of 20%, Ramires Sciberras was crowned as the winner with his song “Stilla Ċkejkna“ and therefore the country’s representative in the 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in Madrid in November.

Junior Eurovision 2024

Seventeen countries will take part in the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

  1. Italy – RAI
  2. Estonia – ERR
  3. Albania – RTSH
  4. Armenia – AMPTV
  5. Cyprus – RIK
  6. France – FT
  7. North Macedonia – MRT
  8. Poland – TVP
  9. Georgia – GPB
  10. Spain – RTVE
  11. Germany – ARD/NDR
  12. Netherlands – AVROTROS
  13. San Marino – RTV San Marino
  14. Ukraine – UA:PBC
  15. Portugal – RTP
  16. Ireland – RTÉ
  17. Malta – PBS

The 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on November 16 in Madrid, Spain, following the country’s second-place finish last year and the refusal of the winning country, France, to host for the second year in a row. The slogan for this year’s contest is “Let’s Bloom!”, while Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Clotet and Melani Garcia will serve as this year’s hosts.

Malta with Ramires will close the show.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news! 

Eurovision 2025: Today is the deadline for participating countries to withdraw!

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September 15 was the deadline that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) set for its member broadcasters to submit their participation for Eurovision 2025.

There was still time for countries that confirmed their participation to withdraw without incurring penalties. This deadline ends today, October 15. As a result, any country that enrolled to participate in Eurovision 2025 was until today still free to change its mind and withdraw without facing consequences.

It should be noted that The Netherlands has been granted an extension until November 1st to confirm their participation.

But since force majeure is typically identified as the cause of withdrawal, the EBU hardly ever fines nations that withdraw after the deadline. Naturally, there have been occasions when the EBU has imposed penalties in situations like Lebanon in 2005.

Eurovision 2025

So far, thirty three countries have publicly confirmed their participation in Eurovision 2025:

  • Albania – RTSH
  • Austria – ORF
  • Azerbaijan – İctimai
  • Belgium – RTBF
  • Croatia – HRT
  • Cyprus – CyBC
  • Czechia – ČT
  • Denmark – DR
  • Estonia – ERR
  • Finland – YLE
  • France – FT
  • Georgia – GPB
  • Germany – NDR
  • Greece – ERT
  • Iceland – RÚV
  • Ireland – RTÉ
  • Israel – IPBC
  • Italy – RAI
  • Latvia – LTV
  • Lithuania – LRT
  • Luxembourg – RTL
  • Malta – PBS
  • Montenegro – RTCG
  • Norway – NRK
  • Portugal – RTP
  • San Marino – San Marino RTV
  • Serbia – RTS
  • Slovenia – RTVSLO
  • Spain – RTVE
  • Sweden – SVT
  • Switzerland – SRG SSR
  • Ukraine – Suspilne
  • United Kingdom – BBC

After November, we can expect the EBU to reveal the participating countries’ list for Eurovision 2025.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Sweden: First 10 participants for Melodifestivalen 2025 revealed!

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The first ten names of the Melodifestivalen 2025 have been revealed.

Among the first 10 names of the Melodifestivalen contestants we have previous participants in the Swedish national final including four previous winners of Melodifestivalen and even a former Eurovision winner.

According to Aftonblandet, these are the first 10 contestants we will see next year competing in Melodifestivalen:

  • Frans: Frans won Melodifestivalen in 2016 and represented Sweden in Stockholm with If I were Sorry
  • Måns Zelmerlöw: The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 winner will come back next year.  According to Aftonbladet, Måns is teaming with songwriter Ola Svensson.
  • Arvingarna: The Schlager, pop band won Melodifestivalen the first time they participated in the competition in 1993.  They have participated a total of six times since.
  • John Lundvik: John Ludvik has participated three times in Melodifestivalen.  He won the Swedish national final in 2019 and represented Sweden with Too Late for Love.
  • Kaliffa
  • Andreas Lundstedt: Andreas Lundstedt has competed five times in Melodifestivalen as part of Alcazar and four as a solo act.  And next will mark the tenth participation for the disco king.
  • Dolly-Style:  Dolly Style plans to compete in Melodifestivalen with their new line-up.  This will be the fourth time that the girl band has taken part in Melodifestivalen.  Dolly Style has four members, three of their current members had competed as Dolly Style in Melodifestivalen before.
  • Malou Prytz: Malou Prytz debuted in Melodifestivalen 2019 with I do me.  After having a positive reception she came back in 2020 and 2022.  Now she is 21 and is ready for her fourth participation.
  • Klara Hammarström
  • Scarlet

Are you looking forward to seeing the return to Melodifestivalen of some of the previous participants?  Which act are you most excited to see participating next year?

Source: Aftonbladet

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Spain: RTVE receives a record number of submissions for Benidorm Fest 2025!

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Spain was one of the first countries to confirm its participation in Eurovision 2025, even before the Grand Final of the contest in Sweden, opening the submission window just a few days later.

The submission window for Benidorm Fest 2025 closed last night. RTVE announced earlier today that it received almost 1,000 songs over the 144 days that the process lasted, with around 300 of those submissions coming in the last 24 hours alone!

This number sets a record for all editions of Benidorm Fest. Around 200 more entries were submitted compared to last year, demonstrating that the festival is becoming increasingly embedded in the Spanish music scene and has grown into one of the biggest platforms for promoting music.

In the last three years, RTVE received the following number of entries for Benidorm Fest:

  • In 2022, 886 songs were submitted
  • In 2023, 876 songs were submitted
  • In 2024, 825 songs were submitted

Following the closing of the submission window, a special jury panel appointed by RTVE, consisting of music experts, will listen to and evaluate the songs. From these, the 16 best songs will be selected to compete in Benidorm Fest 2025, which will take place on January 28 and 30, and February 1.

Last year’s winners of Benidorm Fest, Nebulossa, represented Spain in Eurovision 2024 with the song “Zorra” and ended up in 22nd place in the Grand Final:

https://youtu.be/FOMoQoHG5aU

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Spanish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel!

Source: rtve.es

Breaking News: ERT has started the process for the national final!

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A few minutes ago, the decision of the ERT Board of Directors regarding the organization of a national final to select the artist and song that will represent the country in Eurovision 2025 was posted on “Diavgeia.” The decision was unanimous and follows the announcements made by the company’s CEO about holding an open national final with an invitation to all interested parties, after 22 whole years!

The ERT Board of Directors has officially decided that Greece’s representative for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be selected through a national final. The company’s Board unanimously decided to proceed with the national final, authorizing the CEO to sign the contract, presumably with a production company, for this purpose.

We now expect, within hours or by Monday at the latest, details about the national final, including the rules and the beginning of song submissions.

You can view the relevant document on Diavgeia HERE.

Eurovisionfun will, of course, monitor the developments and keep you informed with the latest updates.

Stay consistently tuned to Eurovisionfun!

Norway: Tom Hugo from KEiiNO, wouldn’t rule out a Eurovision-related role in NRK!

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Tom Hugo, one-third of the band KEiiNO, was a guest in “The Eurotrip Podcast”, and he was asked about the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as the participation of Norway, his country in it.

The Norwegian Delegation, is going through a phase of internal changes, since Stig Karlsen, stepped down from his role as Head of Delegation, after a long and successful time.

So naturally, Tom Hugo, was asked whether he would accept the role of Head of Delegation in Norway:

“Not at the moment, no. I still have a lot of things to do with KEiiNO, and I really like producing music and writing music. However, at one point if a new head of delegation isn’t performing or suddenly withdraws, you never know.” 

However, he continued by saying that he is not sure if he is the most suitable for this role:

“Stig Karlsen has had so many tasks. It’s not just about finding music, it’s a long to-do list. There’s a lot of tasks and obligations for a Head of Delegation in Norway that I would not be the right person for. I could definitely have something to say when it comes to music and direction, but there’s a lot of things that aren’t my field.” 

The case of Hugo taking the position of head of delegation would be a similar case to that of Christer Björkman, who represented Sweden in 1992 and then worked at Melodifestivalen, but also as head of Sweden’s delegation.

Tom Hugo is part of the band KEiiNO, who represented Norway in 2019 with the song “Spirit in the Sky” and ended up in sixth place, winning the televote. They have attempted to return to Eurovision in 2021 and 2024, finishing second in the Melodi Grand Prix both times.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Norwegian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: eurotrippodcast.com

Junior Eurovision 2024: Ticket sale commences soon!

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The 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcasted live from Madrid, Spain in about a month from now. On November 16, seventeen young performers will take the stage at Caja Mágica, ready to “bloom” and showcase their talent in front of an international audience.

Junior Eurovision is a live event, and tickets will go on sale to those who want to see it starting next Tuesday, October 15, at 15:00 CEST.

Both the Live Show on November 16 and the Dress Rehearsal on November 15, which is one day earlier, are open to the public.

Ticket prices

The ticket prices for the Jury Show on November 15 will range from 38 to 50 euros (+ fees) in the stands and from 27 to 35 euros (+ fees) on the floor.

Regarding the Live Show on November 16 prices range from 46 to 65 euros (+ fees) in the stands and from 35 to 50 euros (+ fees) on the floor.

Prices for adults and children under the age of twelve will differ. If a ticket holder is younger than sixteen, an adult must accompany them with them.

You will be able to purchase your tickets here!

Junior Eurovision 2024

Seventeen countries will take part in the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

  1. Italy – RAI
  2. Estonia – ERR
  3. Albania – RTSH
  4. Armenia – AMPTV
  5. Cyprus – RIK
  6. France – FT
  7. North Macedonia – MRT
  8. Poland – TVP
  9. Georgia – GPB
  10. Spain – RTVE
  11. Germany – ARD/NDR
  12. Netherlands – AVROTROS
  13. San Marino – RTV San Marino
  14. Ukraine – UA:PBC
  15. Portugal – RTP
  16. Ireland – RTÉ
  17. Malta – PBS

The 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on November 16 in Madrid, Spain, following the country’s second-place finish last year and the refusal of the winning country, France, to host for the second year in a row. The slogan for this year’s contest is “Let’s Bloom!”, while Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Clotet and Melani Garcia will serve as this year’s hosts.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news! 

Sweden: Scarlet return to Melodifestivalen 2025!

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Scarlet made their debut last spring, when the metal band came very close to reaching the final of Melodifestivalen 2024 with their song “Circus X”.

Many sources have reported to the newspaper Expressen that the band is set to return to Melodifestivalen 2025, the Swedish national final.

A few months ago, the competition’s project manager, Anders Wistbacka, spoke about the variety of entries in the competition.

“We want different types of songs and rhythms – both ballads and up-tempo tracks. It’s important to include pieces that immediately grab attention, but also those that might require one or more listens to fully appreciate,” he said.

According to Expressen, Scarlet fits well into the diversity that Melodifestivalen aims to create.

In total, nearly 2,800 songs have been submitted for Melodifestivalen 2025, and rumours suggest that several established artists are among the contestants. The final list of contestants is expected to be announced in December, but until then, many things can change.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Swedish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel!

Source: expressen.se