The 68th edition of Eurovision is themed “united by music”, yet as the dazzling crowds gathered in Malmö, doubts arose about music’s power to unite amidst controversy.
Joost Klein from the Netherlands faced scrutiny after missing rehearsals due to an undisclosed incident, sparking an investigation by the EBU.
Amidst concerns over Israel’s participation, performers expressed frustration that the focus was shifting away from the essence of the event.
Klein’s pop anthem Europapa aimed to promote free movement, raising questions about the competition’s unifying message.
Israel’s entry faced controversy over the lyrics of their song, leading to security measures and tensions among participants.
The debate surrounding Israel’s involvement overshadowed the spirit of Eurovision, according to some contestants.
The diverse community of performers at Eurovision was meant to foster unity, but the controversy surrounding Israel threatened to disrupt that harmony.
As the competition unfolded, tensions and divisions became apparent, casting a shadow over the celebration of music and diversity.
View image in fullscreenThe Netherlands’ Joost Klein is under investigation due to an ‘incident’. Photograph: Martin Meissner/AP
In March, the association of broadcasters ruled that Israel was allowed to compete as long as it changed the lyrics to its entry, then called October Rain, about the trauma of the Hamas massacre on 7 October.
The EBU has defended its decision by saying Eurovision is “a non-political music event” and “not a contest between governments”.
Golan, 21, had been ordered by Israel’s national security agency to stay in her hotel room between performances and was ushered to dress rehearsals in a convoy of cars. At the lineup of semi-finalists, she cut a forlorn figure near the stage exit, not least because the other participants did not appear willing to volunteer gestures of solidarity.
When a Polish journalist asked Golan if she had considered that her presence at the contest might be endangering the other acts and the attending fans, there were murmurs around the auditorium and the host intervened to say she did not have to answer the question if she did not want to. “Why not?” interjected Klein, who sat next to her, a Dutch flag draped over his head.
The Greek performer Marina Satti also appeared to mimic falling asleep when Golan was asked a question by Israeli press.
Bambi Thug, a non-binary singer representing Ireland at this year’s competition, said the debate around Israel’s inclusion had “completely overshadowed everything”.
“It goes against everything that Eurovision is meant to be,” they said.
The group of performers gathering at Eurovision was “a big, big community” and Israel’s contestant Dolan “was never allowed to even…
2024-05-10 18:01:35
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