Posts

Iceland: The country will eventually be present in Malmö!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

RÚV has finally reached a decision. Iceland will participate in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö with Hera Björk and her Söngvakeppnin winning entry “Scared of Heights“.

Hera Björk won the national selection a week ago, however Iceland’s participation in Eurovision 2024 remained unsure in the meantime.

Iceland’s participation in uncertainty

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.

As a consensus was achieved in RÚV’s Eurovision group, Iceland will ultimately participate in Eurovision 2024.

Concerns regarding Söngvakeppnin’s results

Söngvakeppnin’s results sparked widespread criticism in Iceland, as Bashar Murad’s entry won the first round of voting but lost to Hera Björk in the second round. Many viewers expressed concerns about voting irregularities, claiming that votes for Bashar Murad were counted for Hera Björk instead. Furthermore, the co-author of Bashar Murad’s entry demanded an independent investigation of the contest’s results in order to maintain the organization’s trust and reputation.

In the meantime, one of “Scared of Heights” songwriters, Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, has stated that she will not be following Eurovision 2024, as she does not think the results were fair.

Iceland: A songwriter from “Scared of Heights” has left the Eurovision team!

Iceland is allocated to perform in 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!

Source: ruv.is 

Iceland: Israeli influence behind Hera Björk’s victory!

/1 Comment/in , , /by

According to the Icelandic press the Israeli broadcaster KAN is behind the campaign against Bashar Murad.

The Israeli Yogev Segal who organized the campaign against Bashar Murad in Söngvakeppnin, Iceland’s selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest, according to the Icelandic website MANNLÍF, is an employee of Israel’s public broadcaster. Yogev Segal is the founder of a Facebook discussion group for Icelanders who support Israel.

Yogev Segal seems to have urged all members of this group to vote for Hera Björk in the final of Söngvakeppnin 2024. That is, he suggested that Israel’s supporters in Iceland should urge as many people as possible to vote for Hera Björk’s song. It was, according to him, the safest way to ensure that there would be no Palestinian on the stage of the competition in Sweden in May.

Within the aforementioned group, Segal admits to working for Israel’s state television, KAN, which, like the Icelandic one, is responsible for Israel’s participation in Eurovison. He suggests that reporting on his campaign is grist to the conspiracy theory mill. Finally he claims that Israel had no interest in the Icelandic national final.

For the record, Söngvakeppnin 2024 was won by Hera Björk with the song “Scared of Heights”, however this year the participation of the country is not considered certain, as the issue of the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine and the participation of the former in the competition is a point of friction in Iceland’s public sphere. The final decision on whether the island of ice and fire in Malmö will take part is expected today.

Source: SAMSTÖÐIN

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening Eurovision:

Iceland: With Hera Björk and Scared of Heights in Malmö!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Τhe grand final of Söngvakeppnin 2024, the national process through which the representative of the island of ice and fire in the Eurovision Song Contest is sworn took place tonight. This year, however, the country’s participation is not considered certain, as the issue of the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine and the participation of the former in the competition is a point of friction in the public sphere of Iceland. The grand final of Söngvakeppnin 2024 took place in Laugardalshöll, Reykjavík.

As in the previous two semi-finals, the grand final was presented by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir, Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson and Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson.

The show started with a tribute to Selma and Iceland’s 1999 entry that finished in 2nd place. Selma herself opened the final night with a live performance of Out of Luck!

The contestants

Five artists participated in the grand final where they performed their entries in English apart from the Væb who chose to keep their song in Icelandic. At this point we remind you that the rules allow the artists to choose the language of their preference.

The artists of the first round of the final performed as per below:

With the end of the competitive part of the first round, the telephone lines were opened for the voting of the televoters.

First Round results

In the first round the two artists who advanced to the second round resulted from the combination of the votes of the television audience and the jury.

The two artists who made it to the second round were:

  1. Hera Björk – “Scared of Heights”
  2. Bashar Murad – “Wild West“

Second Round results

In the second round of the final the two aforementioned artists performed their entries again where the result was decided only by the vote of the television audience.

Before the announcement of the results, last year’s representative of Iceland, Diljá, took the stage.

After the end of the voting, the winner was Hera Björk with Scared of Heights!

Hera Björk with Scared of Heights and Iceland, in case RÚV does not decline the participation in the Contest, is scheduled to take part in the second half of the first semi-final of 7th of May claiming one of the ten tickets for the grand final of Saturday 11th of May.

This is going to be the second time Hera Björk represents Iceland after 2010 when she finished 19th in the final.

What do you think of the results of the Icelandic final? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening Eurovision:

Iceland: Last week’s Söngva­keppn­in almost the same TV ratings as last year!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The average TV ratings for last Saturday‘s semifinal night of Söngva­keppn­in, the Icelandic national selection process was 35 percent. Last year’s average ratings were 37 percent. Cumulative ratings were 45 percent, compared to 48 percent last year.

Considerable pressure was exerted to cancel the contest in Iceland and thereby not participate in Eurovision. Many people said they would boycott the contest if it were to be held. Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, director of the competition, says it is awesome to see how much interest there is in the competition, as it is obvious that despite the continuous protests and calls for boycott, the interest remained high.

The finalists

The two songs which secured their place to the final, after the Icelandic people cast their votes, are:

  • Væb – “Bíómynd”
  • Anita – “Stingum af”

The format

Ten songs are equally allocated in two semi-finals and two entries qualify from each semi-final to the Final, a result eventuating by 100% televote. Meanwhile, the producers of the show have the option to add a fifth finalist as a wildcard from the semi-finalists.

The Final is comprised of two rounds. In the first round, the two acts that qualify for the Super Final will be decided by jury and televote. In the second round, the country’s representative will be determined solely by the public vote.

The schedule

The Second Semi-Final of Söngvakeppnin 2024 is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24th. The Final is set to take place on Saturday, March 2nd.

Source: RÚV/Amanda Guðrún Bjarnadóttir

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the Icelandic national selection process: 

 

 

 

 

 

Iceland: Listen to the songs of Söngvakeppnin 2024!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

RÚV, the public broadcaster of Iceland is going to select its representative for Eurovision 2024, once again through Söngvakeppnin, the country’s national final!

Read more

Iceland: A singer from Palestine among Söngvakeppnin 2024 contestants!

/7 Comments/in , , /by

The artists and songs for Söngvakeppnin 2024, the national final of Iceland, are going to be announced in a few days, however, we may already know one of the artists taking part.

Read more

Iceland: More than 500 musicians demand withdrawal of Iceland from Eurovision!

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

A number of musicians showed up outside the radio house to present the petition to broadcaster Stefan Eiríksson. Confetti was shot over the broadcaster during the handing over of the list, as can be seen in a video footage taken by protesters that gave mbl.is permission to publish.

Pálmi Gunn­ars­son, Páll Óskar, Gréta Salóme, Bríet, Friðrik Dór, Svala Björg­vins­dótt­ir and Daní­el Ágúst Haraldsson are among more than 500 on a petition of musicians demanding that Iceland withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest, because Israel is participating in the contest.

Israel participates

Playwright Sal­vör Gull­brá Þór­ar­ins­dótt­ir told mbl.is:

“Musicians are encouraging RÚV to take a stand by withdrawing from Eurovision if Israel participates.”

Salvör also points out that Reykja­vík­ur­dæt­ur signed the list, as well as members of the band Celebs. The European Broadcasting Union has now announced that Israel will take part in this year’s contest. Salvör adds citing the results of a survey conducted by Prósent before Christmas:

“There’s really no other option for RÚV than to take a stand with Palestine. Because there is a strong will among the people to do so.”

According to the findings of this poll, about 60% of the population strongly or rather agree that Iceland should withdraw from the contest.

There have been calls to ban Israel from Eurovision 2024. In Finland, 1300 artists signed a petition asking for Israel to be removed. The British representative Olly Alexander has also shared in public his opinion against Israel. Also just recently Montaigne signed an open letter to the EBU asking the ban of Israel from the contest and Ben Dolic joined her by doing the same.

Source: mbl.is
Photo: Þórdís Reynis

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the latest news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the Eurovision Song Contest: 

 

 

 

Iceland: The Association of Composers and Lyricists calls on RÚV to abstain from Eurovision 2024 because of Israel!

/12 Comments/in , , /by

The Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland opposes the country’s participation in Eurovision 2024 unless Israel is disqualified.

Last night, through its official Facebook account, the Association of Composers and Lyricists of Iceland, F.T.T. (Félag tónskálda og textahöfunda) announced that they have sent a request to the radio director and RÚV board stating the following:

The board of FTT tonight sent this request to the radio director and board of RUV:

Reykjavik 11 December 2023

The board of FTT, an association of composers and lyricists, calls on RÚV not to participate in Eurovision in 2024 unless Israel is denied participation in the competition on the same grounds as Russia in the last competition. We all have a duty to take a stand against war and the killing of civilians and innocent children. We always have the choice not to put our name to such things, whether we are individuals or state institutions. We owe it to the nations that act with military force to not share with them in an event that is always characterized by joy and optimism.

The board of FTT:

Bragi Valdimar Skúlason, chairman
Védís Hervör Árnadóttir, vice-chairman
Sóley Stefánsdóttir
Ragnhei ður Grondal
Andri Olafsson
Hallur Ingólfsson
Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir

It is not the first time that Iceland has expressed discomfort in issues concerning Israel, recalling that in 2019 there was opposition to hosting the competition in Jerusalem, but also the representatives of the country themselves that year took a political position during the announcement of the results on the night of the final. Any response from the country’s public broadcaster is awaited with interest.

Do you believe that the aforementioned request will have an impact on Iceland’s participation? Let us know your thought in the comments below.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates around the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not lose a thing of what’s happening Eurovision:

Daði Freyr: Iceland is winning Eurovision 2024!

/0 Comments/in , /by

With a post on X (formerly Twitter), Iceland‘s representative at Eurovision 2020 and 2021, Daði Freyr, created excitement for the participation of the Land of Ice and Fire in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

He was quick to clarify, in response to comments, that he does not intend to return to Eurovision 2024 himself.

As we have informed you in a previous article, Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV will once again select its entry through Söngvakeppnin, with the grand final taking place on 2 March 2024.

RÚV received 118 entries for Söngvakeppnin 2024. The final list of participants will be announced on 27 January in Lögin i Söngvakeppninni.

Daði’s words imply that within the entries submitted to RÚV there is a very good song or even a well-known artist with great ambitions for the island nation, which, although it has been participating in the competition since 1986, has not yet won the first place.

Daði Freyr may not have been able to compete at Eurovision 2020 with his viral hit Think About Things, but he returned the following year with 10 Years and won 4th place, scoring 378 points!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSMhu-PrLME&t=6s

Do you think Iceland can win Eurovsion 2024? Write us in the comments!

Follow us on all our social media to make sure you don’t miss anything that happens in the world of Eurovision:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

Iceland: Söngvakeppnin 2024 Final on March 2!

/0 Comments/in , /by

Iceland has already confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2024 and will select its representative on 2 March with the grand final of Söngvakeppnin 2024.

RÚV, Iceland’s national broadcaster, has announced the timetable of the national final. The competition will consist of three shows: the first semi-final on 17 February, the second semi-final on 24 February and the final on 2 March. The winner of the competition will receive the golden ticket to represent the Land of Fire and Ice at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden.

Each semi-final will consist of five entries competing live. The two songs from each show with the most votes from the TV audience will qualify for the grand final. The show’s producers also have the option of adding a fifth finalist as a wildcard from the other contestants. The show will again be presented by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir, Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson and Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson.

RÚV received 118 entries for Söngvakeppnin 2024. The final list of participants will be announced on 27 January in RÚV’s Lögin i Söngvakeppninni.

Artistic direction for Söngvakeppnin 2024 will be provided by Högni Egilsson, Selma Björnsdóttir, Samúel Bjarki Pétursson and Gunnar Páll Ólafsson. Selma is the well-known Eurostar, former Eurovision representative of Iceland, taking second place in 1999 in Jerusalem with the song “All Out of Luck“, but failing to qualify in 2005 in Kiev with the song “If I Had Your Love“.

Diljá represented Iceland in this year’s competition with the song “Power“, finishing 11th in the second semi-final with 44 points, failing to advance to the final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzlTcA0OC5s

Source: ruv.is

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news about Eurovision!