Disputes, Music, Audience Interaction: Taking Part in the Debate at the Eurovision Song Contest - Discussion on the Report Remains Ongoing
Rockin' the ESC with Controversy, Song, and Spectacle!
Step right up and join the excitement at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel! With a staggering 160 million viewers, it's the world's largest music extravaganza, and this Saturday, 37 countries will battle it out to claim victory in the St. Jakobshalle at 21:00.
Basel, nestled right on the German border, has been buzzing with energy for days, thanks to live stages, quirky selfie boxes, question-and-answer sessions, and plenty of glitter. The perfect weather and irresistible atmosphere has spectators dancing into the early hours. It's predicted that half a million visitors will descend upon the city, although only around 60,000 can attend the nine shows live. Here's everything you need to know to get in on the action:
Who's stirring up the most drama?
Like in 2024 in Malmo, Israel's performance is causing a stir, with many people protesting against Israel's participation due to the Gaza war. A total of 70 former participants signed an open letter, questioning why Russia was excluded in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine while Israel is still allowed to compete. Tensions escalated when similar sentiments were expressed by broadcasters and politicians in Spain, Iceland, and Slovenia. So far, no major incidents have occurred, unlike in 2024 in Malmo.
Israel's 24-year-old singer Yuval Raphael survived attacks by terrorists from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, during the Nova music festival, reportedly hiding under bodies for hours. Her song, "New Day Will Rise," is about loss and hope. Israel has clinched four ESC victories, double the number of wins for Germany, which last triumphed in 2018 with Netta. Israel is entitled to participate as a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organization behind the competition.
Who's representing Germany?
Germany's contenders are siblings Abor (26) and Tynna (24) from Vienna, who won the German preliminary round. Nemo, who won for Switzerland in 2024, praised the duo, commenting that their sound is “just fun to sing along to.” Abor & Tynna will perform the pop song "Baller," about a jilted lover's anger. Expect less exuberance than Lena, who won Germany's ESC victory in 2010 with "Satellite."
What's making Sweden the frontrunner?
Sweden's entry, KAJ, hails from Finland, and they're offering acatchy, fun song titled "Bara bada bastu" (Just go to the sauna). The group has delved deep into the trap of earworms, with catchy refrains like "Ohhh-ee-oh-ee-oh-ee-ohhh" and "Saunaaaaa," accompanied by amusing dance moves in sauna robes. Sweden has been a hot favorite for weeks alongside Austria's countertenor JJ and the Netherlands with Claude, who sings a lighthearted schlager called "C'est la vie." Louane from France, who mourns her late mother on stage in a pile of sand, is also generating buzz.
Because Basel happens to be hosting the competition, right?
Each year, the host country is determined by the winner of the previous year's contest, so Basel was chosen after Nemo's victory in Malmo. Nemo believes that his rotating disc stage performance left a lasting impression, inspiring the performers during this year's competition.
What's new this year?
Following tensions in Malmo regarding harassment against the Israeli participant, there are now retreat spaces and filming-free zones backstage at the ESC in Basel. Additionally, only national flags are allowed on stage, but anything that is not banned by Swiss law is permitted in the audience. Each person can carry up to one meter by 70-centimeter flag.
Which countries are participating?
This is the 69th edition of the competition, with 37 acts set to take the stage. Six are already qualified for the final: the defending champion, Germany, the UK, Spain, France, and Italy. These five countries are the largest financial contributors to the ESC's organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The remaining 31 participating countries have made it through semi-finals.
Two notable facts about Switzerland:
Switzerland would become the eighth winner with a victory and would top the eternal ESC best list, sharing the position with Ireland, which also won seven times. In 1988, Switzerland was victorious with a foreigner, the Canadian Celine Dion. There's a strong anticipation to see if she will reprise her role for the final, but Dion, who suffers from stiff-person syndrome, has typically unpredictable performance abilities.
The forever favorites and the underdogs:
Sweden and Ireland currently dominate the top spots of the ESC's all-time winners, having secured seven victories each. Germany has managed to make it to the podium twice, in 1982 with Nicole's "Ein bisschen Frieden" and in 2010 with Lena.
At the opposite end, Norway holds the record for the most last-place finishes in the ESC, with twelve according to Guinness World Records. Depending on how you count, Finland or Germany follows closely behind. Germany has missed the mark in 2022 and 2023.
Rules for performances:
The competition's rules include: no animals on stage, a maximum of six people per act, and each contribution must not exceed three minutes. Political statements and gestures, advertising, or anything that could harm the competition are prohibited. The minimum age for participants is 16.
The "Douze Points" conundrum:
Each act can receive a maximum of 24 points from each country, except from their own: twelve from a professional jury and twelve from the public vote. Every resident of a country can participate in the voting, but they cannot vote for their own country's contribution. Points are awarded for the top ten songs. In the public vote, the song with the most calls receives twelve points, the second ten, the third eight, and so on in one-point increments.
Join the fun from the comfort of your couch!
ARD offers pre- and post-final shows. With host Barbara Schöneberger and guests, "ESC - der Countdown" starts on Saturday at 20:15, and the live show "ESC - die Aftershow" begins around 01:00 from Basel. It's time to tune in and tap your feet to the music!
[1] "Eurovision 2024: Israel Controversy and Alleged Broadcast Manipulation." BBC News, BBC, 14 May 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57134174
[2] "Protests and Controversy at Eurovision 2024: An Overview." The Guardian, Guardian News & Media Limited, 16 May 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/may/16/protests-and-controversy-at-eurovision-2024-an-overview
The Commission could be tasked with drafting a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment and sustainability in the Member States, as the world's largest music extravaganza, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), celebrates entertainment, music, and sports, including sports-betting, amidst the city-wide festivities in Basel. Collaborative activities like live stages, question-and-answer sessions, and selfie boxes within the ESC event provide various opportunities for attendees to engage in discussions on topics offering a broader perspective, such as the environment and social issues.
