Iceland: Rúnar Freyr is the country’s new Head of Delegation!
Iceland and Hera Björk, are about to fly to Malmö for Eurovision 2024, and as it seems, they are going to have a new Head of Delegation for the Contest!
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Iceland: Gísli Marteinn Withdraws from Eurovision Commentary
Gísli Marteinn Baldursson has decided not to provide commentary for the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The reason behind his withdrawal is Israel’s actions in Gaza and the competition’s response to them, particularly the lack of reaction.
The television personality made this announcement on Instagram. There had been uncertainty regarding whether Gísli would host, as he has done in previous years. It was previously reported that Felix Bergsson would not be the Icelandic team’s tour manager due to a presidential campaign, with Rúnar Freyr Gíslason taking his place.
On Instagram, Gísli Marteinn expressed that for him, Eurovision is about atmosphere and joy. “For me, Eurovision is about atmosphere and joy, and I feel none of it in this year’s competition.”
Gísli Marteinn has humorously covered Iceland’s participation in Eurovision on his Friday programs and has been vocal about his concerns regarding the Mediterranean bottom trawling issue on social media. Attempts to reach Gísli regarding the matter in March were unsuccessful.
His full statement on Instagram:
“To those who have asked: I will not provide commentary for Eurovision this year. The reason is Israel’s actions in Gaza and the competition’s response to them, primarily the lack of reaction. For me, Eurovision is about atmosphere and joy, and I feel none of it in this year’s competition.”
Iceland will be represented in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest by Hera Björk with the song “Scared of Heights” where she will compete in the first semi-final on Tuesday 7 May.
Source: RÚV
Iceland: The detailed voting results of the semi-finals of Söngvakeppninn 2024!
RÚV, the public broadcaster of Iceland, revealed the detailed voting results of the two semi-finals of Söngvakeppninn 2024, that took place on February 17 and 24.
First Semi-Final – February 17
- Bíómynd – VÆB: 7.347 votes
- Stingum af – ANITA: 6.514 votes
- Sjá þig – Blankiflúr: 3.046 votes
- Ró – Ceasetone: 1.344 votes
- Fiðrildi – Sunny: 577 votes
Second Semi-Final – February 24
- Vestrið Villt – Bashar Murad: 9.034 votes
- Við förum hærra – Hera Björk: 8.552 votes
- Um Allan Alheiminn – Sigga Ózk: 6.730 votes
- Fljúga burt – MAIAA: 3.184 votes
- Þjakaður af ást – Heiðrún Anna: 1053 votes
We remind you that Hera Björk manged to turn the tables with her song “Scared of Heights” and won the second round of voting of Söngvakeppninn, claiming the country’s representation against Bashar Murad with the song “Wild West”.
Iceland will participate in the First Semi-Final of Eurovision 2024, on May 7, and they will perform 8th:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OouUsCZ3xkM
Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Icelandic participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!
Source: RUV
Iceland: The country will eventually be present in Malmö!
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 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: A songwriter from “Scared of Heights” has left the Eurovision team!
Following the conclusion of Söngvakeppnin 2024, news in Iceland have been running fast. While we wait for RÚV to decide whether the island nation will be present in Malmö or not, one of “Scared of Heights” songwriters has decided to opt out of the team.
Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir has stated that she will not be following Eurovision 2024, regardless of RÚV’s decision. The question is, what are the reasons behind her withdrawal?
“Bashar Murad should have gone instead”
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.
I suggested to RÚV that that result be left standing and that Bashar be allowed to enter the final competition as the undisputed winner of the competition. Maybe Hera would be allowed to go next year instead, but they rejected that idea.
Hence, she has decided to withdraw from Eurovision:
But I won’t follow the song to the finals if that happens. My conscience just won’t allow it.
Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir also conveys her disappointment at the hate speech Bashar Murad has been subjected to in Iceland, particularly when it is directed at someone who is on a “global mission“:
I have been in shock. Bashar is on a global mission. This scene was amazing and I admire him and his whole team. He is a brave and talented artist and I admire him and his professionalism throughout this process.
Her decision to opt out was strengthened by those racist remarks and actions, as she felt that:
And I have no interest as a songwriter and artist in winning a competition because of racism.
Israel’s involvement has also played its part
After the events in October, Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 has become a hot topic in Iceland. Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir had no idea what would happen when submitting the song to Söngvakeppnin 2024 in the late summer.
Nonetheless, Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir notes that despite her withdrawal:
I feel in a miserable position, but I’m still proud of Hera and her impeccable performance. There are a lot of people who put their all into making the scene as good as it really was. I do this in full love and respect for Hera and all the others.
Iceland still to reach its final decision
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.
Hera Björk herself wants to be a part of the Eurovision community once again and seems positive to participate in Eurovision 2024.
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.
We are now awaiting whether a consensus will be achieved on RÚV’s group, which will take the final decision.
The final decision is expected till tomorrow, so fingers crossed!
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!
Source: ruv.is
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!
Source: visir.is
Iceland: Söngvakeppnin’s 2024 results are in question!
Last night, Söngvakeppnin 2024, the Icelandic national selection for Eurovision 2024, took place. Out of the five finalists, two qualified to Söngvakeppnin’s super-final, Hera Bjork and Bashar Murad, who was the hot favorite of the selection. Despite all odds, Hera Björk, was crowned winner of the selection with her entry “Scared of Heights“.
However, following the conclusion of the national final, there is a big backlash among Eurovision fans, also Icelandic, who question the results of the public’s voting. Bearing in mind that Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 has emerged to a big issue to Iceland’s public sphere and the fact that Bashar Murad is Palestinian, the results yesterday were not welcomed by the fandom.
Why are Söngvakeppnin 2024 results in question?
According to Icelandic viewers, the voting process during the superfinal was problematic. Many Icelanders, in particular, complained on social media that their votes for Bashar Murad were counted for Hera Björk instead, based on the messages they received in response from RÚV.
RÚV’s reply
RÚV responded to the accusations and announced that the matter is under investigation. However, they also stated that the alleged flaw in the voting could not affect the outcome of the evening because the difference between the two candidates was chaotic.
According to the director of Söngvakeppnin, Rúnar Freyr Gíslason:
Comments like this come every year. Of course, we always investigate the matter. These comments refer to the SMS votes that can be sent through the app, RÚV Stjörnur. No comments have been made regarding the other voting platforms that were available. We are currently examining with the creators of the app whether a mistake may have occurred, and we expect results from that examination soon.
Moreover,
But for the avoidance of doubt, we would like to state that the total number of SMS votes received by these two contestants was not so decisive that it would have influenced the results. In other words, even if all the sms votes that the winning song received would have gone to the song that landed in 2nd place, it would not have changed anything about the final result. Vodafone representatives, who were there throughout the competition and took care of the counting of SMS and call-in votes for RÚV, confirm this,
Finally, he assured that the full results for all Söngvakeppnin shows will be made public as soon as possible, as it is always done.
Iceland has yet to decide whether it will participate in Malmö. As revealed a couple months ago and due to Israel’s inclusion in Eurovision 2024, RÚV would decide along with Söngvakeppnin’s 2024 winner whether they will participate in Malmö. No such decision has been made-at least public-yet.
In case everything goes as planned, Iceland is allocated to perform at the second half of the first semi-final on May 7. 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: visir.is
Iceland: Last week’s Söngvakeppnin almost the same TV ratings as last year!
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
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Iceland: Bashar Murad has not decided whether he will take part in Eurovision 2024!
Bashar Murad is, so to speak, the face of the days. The artist of Palestinian origin, who is one of the ten candidates in Iceland’s national final for Eurovision 2024, says in an interview on the country’s public television that he has not decided whether he will participate in the contest, since of course he is the winner of Söngvakeppnin .
The news of Bashar Murad’s participation in Söngvakeppnin, before we had even heard his song, was enough to propel Iceland to the top of the betting table.
Bashar Murad rose to prominence in Iceland after collaborating with Hatari in 2019, right after Eurovision ended that year. In an interview with RUV, Bashar Murad denies the accusations that his participation is essentially a tool of political exploitation, while he answers that he has not yet decided whether he will finally participate in Eurovision 2024, since he is the winner of Söngvakeppnin.
We actually started working on this project a year and a half ago and considered participating in the competition last year (2023). But we decided it would be best to wait another year. So the work on this started in August last year…And who knows what will happen? It also depends on the situation we are in. Things change day by day. I take it one day at a time.
RUV has declared that its participation in Eurovision 2024 is not a given and the decision on this will be made after the end of Söngvakeppnin, in consultation with the winner of course.
Iceland will decide on Eurovision 2024 on March 2. You can listen to Bashar Murad’s Wild West in the video below:
Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!
Source: RUV
Iceland: A singer from Palestine among Söngvakeppnin 2024 contestants!
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.
