Posts

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: 

 

 

 

Germany: Ben Dolic signs an open letter to the EBU against Israel!

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

It seems like the statement of EBU that confirms that KAN and Israel can normally participate to the contest has sparked reactions among the fans but not only.

A few hours later, the (almost) Eurovision Song Contest 2020 representative of Germany, Ben Dolic, signed an open letter to the EBU and made a post on X (Twitter) about it, which you can see below:

“The continued acts of violence by the state of Israel cannot be supported under any circumstances. As an artist, a past Eurovision participant and as a human being, I will not support the EBU’s decision to allow a state that has committed so many atrocities to tens of thousands of civilians participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.

There is no logical explanation for a music competition with the main message of spreading love to have a connection with a place that has acted against their main message in such horrific ways.”

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, just as Ben did.

Germany originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song “Violent Thing” written by Borislav Milanov, Peter St. James, Dag Lundberg, Jimmy Thorén and Connor Martin and performed by Ben Dolic, but then the contest was cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. You can listen to “Violent Thing” on the video down below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAobDQ9GbT4

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

 

Israel: The results of HaKokhav Haba’s 16th episode | Nine artists still in race for Malmö!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Yesterday, January 17th, the 16th episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was aired. HaKokhav Haba is the talent show under which the artist that will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 will be selected.

Out of the 35 artists who made it beyond the audition stage, 14 advanced to the battles’ phase, where they will compete to represent their country in Eurovision 2024!

In episode sixteen, the ten remaining artists performed in duets, while nine of them moved to the next stage and one was eliminated. Assi Azar and Rotem Sela, serve as the show’s hosts, as they have been doing since 2014. The jury is consisted of Eden Hasson, Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar, and Keren Pels.

The duets of the 16th episode

Ten contestants performed in front of an audience and a jury, with the committee ultimately deciding who would be eliminated from the two artists with the lowest scores.

Oral Ravid and Mika Moshe

One of the weakest performances of the two singers. The two artists performed “Children of Life” but did not impress all the jurors jury achieving a score of 73%.

Yonathan Biton and Dor Shimoni

They chose to perform a mashup of the songs “Dizziness” and “Badad“. The two artists are among the most notable singers in HaKokhav Haba. They received a positive feedback from the majority of the judges, but they ultimately achieved a 73% score.

Or Cohen and Eden Golan

The two singers decided to perform Alicia Keys’ song “If I Ain’t Got You“. A powerful and electrifying performance by the two divas, who have indeed an incredible vocal range! With a 96% score, they were declared the winners of the evening and received triumphant feedback from all the judges.

Moria Angel and Leanne Byrne

They selected to perform John Lennon’s legendary “Imagine“. The judges disagreed as something felt off with their performance. Only one judge voted favorably and stated that he disagreed with the other judges. Unfortunately, with a score of 29%, they were eligible for elimination.

Arik Sinai and Shay Tamino

The last duet saw Arik Sinai and Shay Tamino perform “Before it ends” by Idan Raichel.The two artists’ styles are completely different, and it shows. They received positive feedback from the majority of the judges, but they ultimately achieved a 77% rating.

Having achieved the lowest score of the evening, Moria Angel and Leanne Byrne were put in front of the jury, in order the latter to decide who would leave HaKokhav Haba. The jurors ultimately decided that Moria Angel should be eliminated.

HaKokhav HaBa 2024

Only nine candidates remain in the running to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 and they are the following:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Jonathan Biton
  7. Mika Moshe
  8. Dor Shimoni
  9. Oral Ravid

Israel qualified for the finals every year from 2015 to 2020 through HaKokhav HaBa, and Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018 with the song “Toy”.

Israel was represented last year by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn”, which came in third place with 362 points overall.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: euromix

Israel: The entry of 2024 in Hebrew | A jury will choose it!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The song that will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 and will be performed by the winner of HaKokhav Haba in Malmö, will be chosen by a committee, will include Hebrew lyrics and will be announced on March.

In a statement, Israel’s public television reports today that it has already invited a wide range of Israeli song writers to submit songs with one of which the winner of HaKokhav Haba will represent the country at Eurovision 2024. A necessary condition this year for those who will submit a song, is that it must also contain Hebrew lyrics. The talent show is coming to an end in three weeks and thus we will have the artist, who will raise the flag of Israel in Malmö, in this special year for the country. The song will be selected internally by a panel and be announced in a special broadcast on March!

At the moment, there are ten artists left to claim the representation of Israel in Eurovision 2024:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Or Cohen
  6. Yonathan Biton
  7. Mika Moshe
  8. Dor Shimoni
  9. Moria Angel
  10. Oral Ravid

One of the above will be the HaKokhav Haba winner and the one who will get the ticket to the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Last year Israel at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool was represented by the explosive Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn” who gave the Middle Eastern country the third place in the Grand Final, receiving 362 points.

https://youtu.be/Z3mIcCllJXY

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:

Source: Euromix

Sweden: The left party demands the ban of Israel from Eurovision Song Contest! | The response of SVT!

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

In May, Malmö will host the Eurovision Song Contest. On May 7, the festivities kick off and on May 11, it’s time for the final. But lately the contest is leaning towards politics. The leader of the Left Party, Nooshi Dadgostar, demands that the organizers ban Israel from participating in the competition. Nooshi Dadgostar explicitly says:

“Eurovision should not invite Israel.”

The reason for the Left Party‘s announcement is the ongoing war that in Gaza, where Israel has been dragged before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The legal process has been initiated after South Africa filed a complaint against Israel to the court.

“Aggressive war against children”

Nooshi Dadgostar adds on the matter:

“Tens of thousands of people have been killed. It is not the right signal to send that Sweden gives space on stage to such a state. Israel is waging an aggressive war against children and their parents and is now being prosecuted for genocide and there are many indications that they are committing war crimes right now.”

When asked if it is reasonable for her, as a politician, to interfere in a production in this way, she responded:

“I love Eurovision. It is a place of celebration and fellowship, but I think many people share the view that a state that has killed so many children cannot be given this place. Otherwise, it’s as if the outside world doesn’t care about the killing. This has to stop.”

Social Democratic party doesn’t want to interfere

Social Democratic MP Lawen Redar, who sits on the Riksdag‘s Culture Committee, strongly disagrees.

“I don’t interfere in how this type of programme should be implemented. It must be up to the public service broadcasters in Europe, and it is certainly unusual to boycott individual nations from participating.”

The response of SVT

SVT refers the question of Israel‘s participation in Eurovision to the European Broadcasting Union and Madeleine Sinding-Larsen write:

“SVT will not comment on this because it is the EBU that decides which members participate in the competition and SVT will follow the EBU’s decision.”

Aftonbladet has reached out to the EBU but there is no response yet.

Source: Aftonbladet / Fredrik Björkman
Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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

 

 

 

Sweden: How will Malmö’s budget of 30 million Swedish crowns be used for Eurovision?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

A bit more than six months have passed since SVT revealed that Malmö will be the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, on July 7.

There will be televised semi-finals on 7 and 9 May. On Saturday 11 May, the final will be broadcast all over the world from Malmö Arena.

This week, Malmö‘s top politicians hammered out how Malmö‘s taxpayers’ money should be used around the giant event. The Chair of the Municipal Executive Board Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh said on the matter:

“A completely unanimous municipal executive board supported the distribution. Much of the work will be done out in the committees and therefore we set aside money there.”

Already last autumn, in last year’s budget, agreements were signed for around SEK 10 million – including with Malmö Arena, Malmömässan and Malmö Live.

The rest of the money that is supposed to be used for the music festival was invested by the municipal board this week:

  • The Technical Committee will receive SEK 6.6 million for the work on Eurovision Park and Eurovillage at Folkets Park.
  • The Culture Committee will receive SEK 1.8 million for its work on programmes and communication.
  • The Recreation Committee will receive SEK 3.3 million for the work with 600 unpaid volunteers and for city decoration, such as flags and banners that will fill Malmö.
  • The Municipal Executive Board is also allocating SEK 6.3 million to a wide range of general extra costs linked to the giant event.

Despite galloping inflation, this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will not be more expensive for Malmö‘s taxpayers than the contests ten years ago says the city of Malmö‘s project manager Karin Karlsson:

“More people are contributing content than they did ten years ago. We are trying to work with the business community in a much more comprehensive way than we did then.”

Already in a couple of weeks, on January 30, Farah Abadi and Pernilla Månsson Colt will lead the draw for places in the two semi-finals. At the same time, the world is under pressure from major international conflicts, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Shortly after the announcement that Malmö will be the host of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Swedish Security Service raised the terrorist threat level in Sweden. On 1 November, a total bag ban was introduced at major events. It is still unclear what additional and stricter security measures may be required ahead of the giant competition in Malmö. But politicians know that it could lead to new costs for the city. Karin comments:

“As far as security is concerned, we are waiting for information from the police. This will have consequences for the centre of Malmö as a whole. We are already working preventively by trying to choose places with perimeter protection and places we are used to working with.”

“In the first instance, public transport will be offered.” says the municipal board’s decision document. One can assume that this will be offered to the volunteers and press that are attending to work on the contest. But would that also mean that the artists will also travel by bus or train to the competition arena in Hyllie? Karin Karlsson responds:

“No, that’s where the line is drawn. We have a special responsibility to ensure that they arrive on time. The participants will travel in rented buses or electric cars. It’s Malmö’s advantage that we have such good public transport. It’s also a way to save money. We want the whole event to be used by public transport.”

Source: Sydsvenskan
Photo: Martin Meissner

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

Norway: Demonstration against Israel outside NRK before the first heat of MGP 2024!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

When it became known on 5 January who would participate in Norwegian MGP, a bunch of protesters showed up outside NRK in Oslo. Fredrik Solvang, the host of MGP 2024 commented on the demonstration, stating that he does not support boycotting Israel in Eurovision 2024. He explained that such a decision would place him in a challenging position as a host, highlighting the inherent difficulty for a television station to adopt a stance amid an ongoing conflict, particularly when providing journalistic coverage.

Activities against Israel continue today in Oslo, Norway, when a few moments before the first heat of Melodi Grand Prix begins tonight, the Action Group for Palestine demonstrates outside the audience entrance at Marienlyst. They wrote in a press release:

“Our demand is that Norway and NRK work for the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision 2024. During the commemoration, we will have a total of 116 dead journalists.”

They further write that they want to remind NRK of its responsibility as a public service broadcaster, to stand in solidarity with freedom of the press and the special source journalists have to protect during war.

As of January 10, the government of Gaza reports that 116 journalists have been killed since October 7. There will also be 116 protesters outside NRK tonight. Protesters have laid on the ground, wearing blue vests to symbolize journalists who have been killed in the war. Janne Heltberg, who has turned up at the audience entrance says:

“We hope that NRK and Melodi Grand Prix get the courage to state from MGP that Israel does not have enough in Eurovision to do in 2024.”

Several other petitions have also been launched, which are being judged in Finland and Iceland.

Source: NRK

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden: Hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in a geopolitically-unstable time!

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Sweden is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in a geopolitically-unstable time.

In Finland, more than 1300 people from the music industry have signed a petition calling for Finland to boycott the contest in Malmö if Israel participates. Similar demands have been made in Iceland in the past.

And recently, demonstrators gathered outside the NRK headquarters in Oslo, demanding the exclusion of Israel from Eurovision because of the war in Gaza.

Ben Robertson, who covers Eurovision for ESCInsight, comments on the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Malmö this May that it could be the most politically sensitive in Eurovision‘s history:

“It will be very tough to organise the Eurovision Song Contest this year. It demands a lot from Malmö and SVT. It’s not just about Israel. It’s about Sweden too, about the high terrorist threat.”

Ben also notes that this will be another season of Eurovision in the shadow of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. Ukraine is participating in this year’s competition. So does Armenia, which came into focus last autumn due to the conflict with Azerbaijan and also says he will neither be surprised if artists and songwriters choose to address political issues this year nor will he be surprised if fans demand that artists who travel to Malmö take a stand in the Israel – Hamas conflict.

The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The EBU‘s members are public service broadcasters in various countries, especially in Europe. But countries such as Israel, Morocco and Lebanon are also members of the EBU.

In recent years, two countries have been excluded from the EBU and banned from the Eurovision Song Contest. Belarus was expelled because the country violated the rules of the competition and refused to change a song lyric with too political a message. Russia was expelled after the attack on Ukraine, reflecting a concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry would bring the competition into disrepute.

Now voices are being raised that Israel should also be expelled. But Paul Jordan, who comments on Eurovision for British media, believes Israel will participate this year. He says the situation is different than when Russia was excluded.

“When Russia was excluded, it had been banned from other international events. The EBU watched the World Cup and others who didn’t want Russia there, and then it would have looked very strange if Russia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

The idea behind Eurovision is that countries should be able to put aside conflicts and bad relations for one night. In the UK, Olly Alexander, who will represent the country in Malmö, has made headlines with his criticism of Israel.

Paul says that there is a risk that Israel, even if it is not excluded, feels that it is not welcome to participate in Malmö.

“If the war is still going on, and we see these horrific images from Gaza, it can also be perceived as distasteful to participate in Eurovision while people are dying.”

At the same time, Eurovision is an important platform for Israel, which has participated in the contest for 45 years.

Karin Karlsson is the project manager for the Eurovision Song Contest, employed by the City of Malmö. She had the same role in 2013.

She notes that many things are different today. The target group of the competition has become younger. Social media plays a very different role than in 2013. The Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t just mean televised stage performances at Malmö Arena. There will also be a week’s festival in different places in the city. At the same time, Sweden has a high terrorist threat. Karin comments on that:

“And it’s much more complicated in terms of security, this year. We work with safety all the time, every day.”

Source: Svenska Dagbladet

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

 

 

Israel: The results of the twelfth episode of HaKokhav Haba – 12 artists in the race for Malmo!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

On Sunday night, the twelfth episode of HaKokhav Haba (special edition) was aired! Through this talent show the artist who will raise the flag of Israel at Eurovision 2024 will emerge!

As we have already informed you, 35 artists passed the scope of the auditions, with 14 of them going to the second phase – the battles phase, and they will claim the representation of the country in Eurovision 2024!

In the twelfth episode we watched seven battles with six of them advancing to the next phase. We remind you that the presenters of HaKokhav Haba are Assi Azar and Rotem Sela who have been in this position since 2014, while the members of the jury are Shiri Maimon, Itay Levy, Assaf Amdorsky, Ran Dankar and Keren Pels with a new addition being Eden Hasson.

Seven contestants then appeared in front of an audience and jury, with the one with the lowest score leaving HaKokhav Haba.

Leanne Byrne

Leanne chose to sing “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. With precise vocals, she surprises everyone with high and beautiful notes. An excellent performance and all the judges agreed. Shiri Maimon mentioned that she should risk more: “You have to get out of your comfort zones” . She received one of the highest percentages of the night, 93%.

Ido Bartel

Ido chose to sing a mash-up tonight. The judges were troubled with his performance and many of them mentioned that they cannot imagine him representing Israel at Eurovision. Despite mixed reviews, Ido with 67%, advances to the next phase.

Shay Tamino

Shay Tamino received very good comments and most of the judges were impressed with this performance. Shiri Maimon explained that she has a beautiful voice but found it old-fashioned. Despite Shiri Maimon’s negative comments, she scored 84%.

Yehuda Saado

Yehuda Saado divided the judges and they think he made the wrong song choice. As they mentioned it was a good performance and he is a good singer but maybe he doesn’t make for Eurovision. Despite average to poor reviews, Yehuda Saado with a 50% rate, is the one to doesn’t advance to the next round.

Oral Ravid

Oral has a lot of charisma on stage, he manages to present the song in an excellent way and his special voice definitely leaves a good impression after every performance. He received the highest percentage of the night, 95%.

Mika Curtis

Mika Curtis, surprises with her special voice, as soon as she opens her mouth. The judges seem to agree that she has a very good voice, it’s just that the stage presence scares them and that’s why she got 72%.

Arik Sinai

Arik Sinai is the oldest artist of this season and surprises every time with his performance. All the judges agree that he is suitable for Eurovision and he got a percentage of 91%.

The detailed reuslts of Episode 12:

  • Leanne Byrne – 93%
  • Ido Bartel – 67%
  • Shay Tamino – 84%
  • Yehuda Saado – 50%
  • Oral Ravid – 95%
  • Mika Kertis – 72%
  • Arik Sinai – 91%

The 12 artists who are still in the race to represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 are:

  1. Leanne Byrne
  2. Eden Golan
  3. Arik Sinai
  4. Shay Tamino
  5. Ido Bartel
  6. Or Cohen
  7. Yonathan Biton
  8. Mika Moshe
  9. Dor Shimoni
  10. Mika Kertis
  11. Moria Angel
  12. Oral Ravid

Through HaKokhav HaBa, Israel managed to qualify every year to the final of our favorite competition from 2015 to 2020, while in 2018 Netta was also the winner of Eurovision with the song “Toy”.

This year Israel was represented at Eurovision 2023 by Noa Kirel and the song “Unicorn” who gave the Middle Eastern country the third place in the Grand Final by collecting 362 points.

 Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: euromix.co.il

Israel: Eurovision 2024 Trailer! (Video)

/0 Comments/in , , /by

With HaKokhav Haba now entering its final phase, Israel is now closer and closer to selecting the artist that will represent the country in Eurovision Song Contest 2024. For this reason, a special trailer is airing for some days now, that talks about Israel participation in general, as well as in this special year.

The trailer starts with some articles from international press, and some images of pro-Palestinian rallies, asking to boycott the Israeli participation in Eurovision 2024.

It then goes on, with the fact that Israel is first in the betting odds and EBU’s announcement of the participating countries, with Israel being present.

Then we can listen to the voice of a judge from HaKokhav Haba, quoting some verses from the old testament, which were also being used in a known song.

“In every generation our lives will be threatened, but God will save us from them.”

The trailer ends with the commentator stating that it will be a great honor for whoever represents the country this year and we see the famous wall of HaKokhav Haba covered with the flag of Israel.

You can see the trailer, in the video below:

14 artists are still in the race to represent Israel in Eurovision 2024. From Wednesday, January 3, and in each episode of HaKokhav Haba, an artist will be eliminated, until the we reach the Grand Final, when an artists will take on the task of waving the flag of Israel in Malmö.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!