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Swiss conservative party submits signatures for referendum to block Eurovision 2025

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The Swiss Federal Democratic Union (EDU), an ultra-conservative political party, has submitted signatures to initiate a referendum aiming to block the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel from May 13 to 17, 2025.

The EDU seeks a vote on November 24 regarding the CHF 37.5 million ($43.3 million) loan recently approved by the Basel cantonal parliament for organizing the ESC 2025. On Saturday, the party submitted 4,203 signatures for the referendum, surpassing the minimum requirement of 2,000 certified signatures due by October 26. These signatures will now be verified by the Basel State Chancellery.

On September 11, Basel’s cantonal parliament approved the loan for Eurovision 2025 with 87 votes in favor, 4 against, and 4 abstentions. However, the EDU is the only political party opposing this funding. Given its limited presence in Basel City, it had to rely on support from outside the canton to gather sufficient signatures.

The small Christian party had previously announced it would initiate a referendum against public funding for what it described as a “propaganda event.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: swissinfo

Eurovision 2025: An event for the entire community in Basel!

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Basel is eager to host the 69th Eurovision Song Contest for the first time as May draws near. The City of Basel hopes to make the forthcoming Eurovision a memorable event for all tourists as its plans are progressively revealed.

“An event for the whole of society”

The Swiss appear to be taking the Liverpool hosting as a benchmark. There will be Eurovision banners everywhere, and the entire city will act as a Eurovision-brand ambassador. Additionally, the city’s name will be displayed in “sculptures” in key locations close to St. Jakobshalle and Eurovision Street so that guests can snap photos and post them to social media.

A platform for artists

The canton of Basel-Stadt and Messe Basel is open to suggestions from cultural workers and restaurateurs, such as karaoke nights with an ESC theme.

This also holds true for choirs, music groups, singers, and musicians who wish to perform on one of the city’s stages. The stages will feature local acts from the Basel and Dreiland regions in addition to street musicians from throughout Europe.

The longest Turquoise Carpet ever

The largest opening ceremony in the history of Eurovision is scheduled to take place in Basel. Beat Läuchli, the project manager, states that:

Basel wants to create the longest “Turquoise Carpet'” in ESC history.

The goal of Switzerland is to organize an Opening Ceremony that will captivate the participants, delegation members, accredited media, and viewers who will watch it live at home.

The Basel Exhibition Centre will host the Eurovillage as well as the Euroclub for all the attendees.

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Basel, Switzerland during May 13 and 17, following Nemo’s win in Malmö with their song “The Code“.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: BAZ

Eurovision 2025: More than 3,000 have applied for volunteers!

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More than 3,000 persons have already apllied to become volunteers at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland!

One month has already passed since the opening of the applications for volunteers for Eurovision 2025 and more than 3,000 individuals have already signed up. The Event Manager of Basel, Beat Läuchli, explained that he is encouraged by the enthusiasm that Basel has shown so far toward the hosting of the event.

In his interview Beat Läuchli confirmed that the plans for the supporting events related to Eurovision are under way. The city of Basel plans to invite former Eurovision contestants to appear in numerous public event around the city. Further information regarding the hosting plans of Basel are to be announced within the coming months.

As far as the skills of the volunteers are conserned, the knowledge of the German language will be a top priority, but the knowledge of French, Italian, English or any other langyage will also be taken into account. Those interested to apply for volunteers are able to do so, by clicking the link here.

Source: swissinfo

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Eurovision 2025: All the new details about the event in Basel!

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Basel seems to be feverishly preparing for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest. In fact, new information has already been announced about how they plan to organise the best experience for fans of the contest.

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Basel Faces Eurovision Uncertainty: Referendum Could Change Hosting Plans

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A small conservative party has initiated a referendum to prevent the Eurovision Song Contest from taking place in Basel next year.

The Federal Democratic Union, which has no representatives in the Basel parliament, is working to gather 2,000 signatures by the end of October. This is to force a referendum against the Basel City government’s plan to spend CHF 35 million on hosting the event.

The Federal Democratic Union is known for its Christian fundamentalist views and has only 3,000 members nationwide. The party is opposed to abortion, homosexuality, and fertility treatments.

If enough signatures are collected, a vote could potentially be held as soon as November 24th. If the referendum succeeds, a new venue will need to be found for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: worldradio

Eurovision 2025: Basel Grand Council approved funding for Eurovision hosting!

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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is one step closer, after today’s meeting of the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt, in which, among other things, the funding for Eurovision hosting was approved. Read more

Eurovision 2025: The reasons behind Basel’s selection as the host city!

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A few days ago it was announced that Basel will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, since the selection process had come down to either Basel or Geneva. Behind this choice, there were some particular reasons which gave Basel the opportunity to be the host city.

Reto Peritz, the Co-Executive Producer for Eurovision 2025, in an interview with the swiss newspaper Blick, explained the three pillars the choice of Basel was based upon: the venue, the availability and the cities’ plans around the Contest.

Regarding the venue, Peritz mentioned that:

“With the Halle Saint-Jacques, Basel has a concert hall that has already proven itself. Geneva had a generous exhibition hall with plenty of space with Palexpo, but the entire infrastructure would have had to be installed there. Basel does have a smaller venue, but the “Arena Plus” concept and the integration of the St. Jacques stadium compensate for this.”

As for the stadium’s availability, Basel is able to make it available for a week longer, in comparison to Geneva.

Lastly, the creativity of the bids submitted by each city seem to have played their distinctive part. More specifically, Peritz noted:

“Not only are there plans for a fan zone, but the whole city of Basel is turning into a place dedicated to Eurovision as well.”

The organizers ultimately aim to create a Contest that will be supported by the Swiss population and they will be proud of, while they will also highlight their cultural diversity with its unique characteristics.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to take place on the 13th, 15th and 17th of May in Basel, Switzerland.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the upcoming news!

Source: Blick

Eurovision 2025: Céline Dion as a guest star is possible!

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The appearance of the world-class Canadian singer Céline Dion is considered possible according to a person from the production of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

As per the Swiss newspaper Basler Zeitung the producers of Eurovision 2025 in Basel are flirting with the idea of ​​Céline Dion appearing as a guest on the stage of the contest.

In his statements, the co-producer of the competition Reto Peritz said:

“Of course this is an issue for us. Actually, we want to put talent in the foreground at the ESC and not let them overshadowed by world-famous stars. But of course, it also has its appeal to have such a name on the show.”

Céline Dion and Switzerland share a special story around the Eurovision Song Contest. She represented Switzerland in 1988 with “Ne partez pas sans moi” and won, bringing the competition the following year to the country and specifically to Lausanne.

However, when asked if Céline Dion herself has been asked about this particular appearance at Eurovision 2025, Mr Peritz did not elaborate.

https://youtu.be/VXLWfXmlXPc

Source: Basler Zeitung

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

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The reaction of Basel’s executive council members to finding out that their city is going to host Eurovsion 2025!

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SRG SSR shared the moment of Basel’s executive council’s reaction to hearing that the city is going to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

A few hours after the much-anticipated revelation that Basel had been chosen to host Europe’s biggest music competition, Switzerland’s national broadcaster shared footage of the reaction of members of the city’s executive council.

The competition is going to take place in St. Jakobshalle on 13, 15 and 17 May 2025. 

Don’t miss tonight’s LIVE TALK at 22:00 EET  to comment together on the city’s announcement for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest as well as all the latest news of the week!

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

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Basel Announced as Host City for Eurovision 2025!

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Basel has been officially selected as the host city for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, as announced just moments ago by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Swiss public broadcaster SRG-SSR.

Selection Process

Forty days ago, Basel and Geneva emerged as the two finalist cities in SRG-SSR’s selection process to determine the host for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, set to take place in Switzerland next May. After weeks of anticipation, the mystery has been solved, and Basel will welcome the biggest televised event in Europe next spring.

Dates

The 69th Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled for the second/third week of May. The first semi-final will be held on Tuesday, 13th May, the second semi-final on Thursday, 15th May, and the grand final will take place on Saturday, 17th May.

Venue

The contest will be hosted at St. Jakobshalle, an arena located in Münchenstein, near Basel. Primarily used for indoor sports and concert events, St. Jakobshalle originally opened in September 1976 with a capacity of 9,000 people. Following renovations, the venue can now accommodate up to 12,400 spectators and has hosted numerous concerts and sports events, including the Swiss Indoors men’s tennis tournament.

Statements

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said:

”The EBU is thrilled that Basel has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The Contest was born in Switzerland in Lugano back in 1956 and it’s great to be bringing it back to its birthplace almost 70 years later.’

Basel’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe makes it the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the power of music to connect people across borders.

With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Basel reflects the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest. The city’s exceptional St.Jakobshalle venue and outstanding hospitality will ensure a memorable experience for delegations, artists and fans alike.

Following Contests in the Italian and French speaking parts of the country in 1956 and 1989 we’re also excited to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to German Switzerland for the very first time.

Together with Host Broadcaster SRG SSR and the city of Basel we will create a spectacular celebration of music on the banks of the River Rhine that resonates far beyond the stage.’

Conradin Cramer, President of the Government of Basel said:

‘It is a great honour for Basel to be able to host the world’s biggest live music event! We are looking forward to this fantastic opportunity to present Basel to the world as a cosmopolitan city of culture in the heart of Europe. As an open city in the border triangle of Germany, France and Switzerland, we overcome borders of all kinds every day. This fits in perfectly with the Eurovision Song Contest. We are already looking forward to welcoming our guests from all over Europe: welcome to Basel!’

Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler, SRG SSR’s Joint Executive Producers of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, added:

‘We were impressed by the quality of the cities’ applications! All 4 cities, and especially Geneva and Basel in the final round, fought for the title of “Host City” with creative approaches and a very constructive approach. Such commitment is by no means a matter of course. Our thanks therefore go to all the cities that applied. We look forward to working with you to make the ESC an unforgettable experience for the whole population.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6ff8tNCY2M

What Do You Think?

How do you feel about Basel being chosen as the host city for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Eurovision.tv