June 2025 - Page 3 of 7

Graz, The City Coping with Tragedy Still Considers Hosting Eurovision 2026

June 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Graz remains in the running to host Eurovision 2026, despite a recent tragedy. Five cities still await the announcement on August 8th, 2025. Could the contest become a symbol of hope or an open wound? Despite conflicting reports and media speculation, the city of Graz in Austria has not yet withdrawn its candidacy to host Eurovision 2026. Following the horrific massacre in the city on June 10th, in which 11 people were killed - including nine students - voices have emerged calling for the city to abandon its bid on moral grounds. However, according to local authorities, no official decision has yet been made - and some suggest that Eurovision could actually become a “symbol of hope.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Between Public Mourning and Collective Hope The shocking shooting that shook Graz - and sparked a fierce debate in Austria over gun laws - also casts a shadow over the city’s cultural and public...

Between Iran and Israel: Barbara Pravi Reveals the Drama That Changed Her Life

June 24, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “In Iran, singing is a crime”: Barbara Pravi, France’s Eurovision 2021 representative, opens up about her Iranian-Jewish roots, her fears of extremism, and the pivotal drama that shaped her life. Barbara Pravi, France’s Eurovision 2021 representative who captivated Europe with her song “Voilà”, returns to the headlines - this time for a far more profound reason. In a personal interview published as relations between Israel and Iran reach a historic boiling point, Pravi reveals her complex identity: a Polish Jewish grandmother, a Moroccan Jewish grandmother, an Iranian grandfather who fled after the Shah’s fall, and a Serbian grandfather who opposed Tito’s regime. Her music, it turns out, is only part of the story. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); One woman, four worlds: What connects Parisian Judaism to Persian poetry? “I can’t ignore any of this, [...] My roots are who I am.” Says Pravi. While her grandparents’ homelands stand on opposite sides of the Middle Eastern conflict,...

Eurovision Reinvented: Major Changes Ahead – A New Trophy and Logo?

June 24, 2025July 16, 2025 by Guy Solo Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After yet another broken trophy, the EBU is reportedly considering a redesign of the Eurovision trophy and logo ahead of the 2026 contest. Is the glass microphone nearing retirement? Following the celebrations of Eurovision 2025, the iconic glass microphone trophy has broken—again. This time, the mishap befell Austrian winner JJ, who shared the damaged trophy on TikTok, revealing it in two separate pieces. "My suitcase arrived broken, so the trophy broke too," said the singer. "But don’t worry – it will be fixed." (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Why Is the Eurovision Trophy So Fragile? The Eurovision Song Contest, the world’s biggest music competition, is renowned not only for its performances, costumes, and drama—but also for its distinctive trophy: a glass microphone awarded to the winner. In recent years, however, the trophy seems to have developed a reputation for being delicate. JJ is already the fifth winner whose trophy broke: it previously happened to Nemo,...

Ed Sheeran Reveals: Eurovision 2025 and the Choice He Almost Made

June 23, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The world's most famous British pop star shares his favorite Eurovision 2025 song, reveals which close friend performed at the last contest, and discusses whether he might ever compete himself. One performance managed to touch one of the biggest pop stars in the world: Ed Sheeran, who, as he does every year, watched the Eurovision Song Contest. Sheeran revealed that his favorite song from Eurovision 2025 was Italy’s entry by Lucio Corsi. The song, which captivated the European audience, also excited Sheeran, who declared in an interview: "I loved it. It was the best song in my opinion." After the Italian performance, Louane - a close friend of Sheeran - took the stage, and he admitted to feeling uncomfortable about the timing. He also revealed whether he is considering competing in Eurovision himself. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Friendship Dilemmas and Musical Taste Sheeran’s choice of Lucio Corsi was not an obvious one. When asked about his preference, he confessed: "I felt...

The Nazi Secret Shaking Europe – What Did ABBA’s Star Conceal All These Years?

June 23, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Behind the career of ABBA’s Eurovision-winning star lies a tragic past rooted in a secret Nazi project, leading all the way to the European Court of Human Rights. Decades after achieving global fame with ABBA and becoming an unforgettable Eurovision icon, the personal and tumultuous story of Anni-Frid Lyngstad has come to light. She was born as a result of a secret Nazi project that fostered a relationship between her Norwegian mother and a German soldier during World War II - making her a target for persecution, isolation, and humiliation in her homeland during her childhood. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Did a Eurovision Star Hide a Nazi Past? Lyngstad is one of thousands of children born under the “Lebensborn” program - a Nazi initiative aimed at creating a “master race” through relationships between SS soldiers and Scandinavian women. Approximately 12,000 children were born in Norway alone as part of this program, and at the end of the war, they...

Bosnia and Herzegovina Unlikely to Return to Eurovision 2026!

June 22, 2025 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite hopes for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Eurovision 2026 comeback, ongoing economic and political crises make its return increasingly unlikely. The return of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Eurovision Song Contest depends on settling the national broadcaster’s financial debts to the European Broadcasting Union, totaling around 10 million euros - the reason the country was forced to withdraw after Eurovision 2016. However, it appears this debt will not be resolved soon. The Minister of Communications and Transport, Edin Forto, expressed disappointment at the ongoing lack of a solution to the economic crisis facing BHRT, following recent meetings in the Council of Ministers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Political Stalemate and Eurovision: The Council of Ministers’ Approach During the session, ministers were expected to discuss the national broadcaster’s debt to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), but the topic was pushed aside - reflecting a deeper lack of political commitment. “For far too long, we have been going in circles around the BHRT...

Iran at Eurovision? The Story of Iranians Who Captured the World’s Biggest Stage

June 22, 2025June 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Though Iran itself does not participate in Eurovision, artists of Iranian origin do - and more than you might think! Artists of Iranian origin have managed over the years to reach the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest - not as representatives of Iran, which does not participate in the competition, but under the flags of Western countries. This is a rare but fascinating phenomenon that highlights the power of migration, multicultural identity, and global influences in the world of entertainment. From unforgettable performances to interrupted participations, five prominent figures with Iranian roots have left their mark on Europe’s most watched competition. Among them are singers with international careers, new immigrants, and even one young girl. For some, their Iranian background was only hinted at, while for others, it was a source of pride and a message of cultural integration. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Arash – The Iranian Superstar Who Captivated Azerbaijan The most recognizable...

JoJo Siwa Wanted to Represent Poland – And Now the United Kingdom – at Eurovision!

June 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); JoJo Siwa, the American reality and music star, has expressed her desire to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2026 - after her attempt to represent Poland in the contest did not materialize. JoJo Siwa, 22, is a controversial American singer and reality TV star who rose to fame as a child on "Dance Moms" and recently appeared on "Big Brother VIP UK." She remains determined to participate in Eurovision, after revealing last year that she has Polish roots and expressing interest in representing Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); No Call from Poland - So Maybe the United Kingdom? It all began when JoJo Siwa shared about a year ago that she was interested in representing Poland at the contest. Her song "Yesterday's Tomorrow's Today" even went viral in the country, but ultimately, the story faded away. The Polish national broadcaster even denied any contact with Siwa. Now, in a new...

JJ, Eurovision 2025 Winner: “The Next Step – A Grammy”

June 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); JJ, winner of Eurovision 2025, reveals his dream of winning a Grammy and shares his thoughts on the voting for Israel and the competition’s new voting system in an interview. JJ, representing Austria and winner of Eurovision 2025, is not stopping - already setting himself a new goal: winning a Grammy. He speaks openly about his overwhelming success, reactions from around the world, the surprise from Israel, and his views on the competition’s new voting system. As the one who brought Austria its third Eurovision victory with the song "Wasted Love", JJ became an overnight sensation in the international music industry - and he has no intention of stopping there. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); JJ Reveals His Future Ambitions JJ, also known by his real name Johannes Pietsch, secured Austria’s third Eurovision win in history when he triumphed in the final held in Basel, Switzerland, with the song "Wasted Love". With 436 points - 258...

Sanremo 2026 in Jeopardy? Record Labels Threaten Boycott

June 21, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sanremo Festival 2026 faces unprecedented tension between Italian record labels and RAI, with threats to halt collaboration with the Italian music industry overshadowing preparations. Sanremo Festival 2026, which also serves as Italy’s Eurovision national selection, is now at the center of a financial storm threatening its very character. Major record labels in Italy have entered tense negotiations with the national broadcaster, RAI, demanding a dramatic increase in reimbursement for participating artists. According to reports, the demands amount to an additional €150,000 per artist. The implications? The next Sanremo Festival could take place without some of the biggest names in Italian music - but that is not the only threat. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sanremo at a Crossroads: Money or Collapse The current situation raises a broader question: can Sanremo, long regarded as a cultural institution and not just an entertainment show, continue in its current format? Industry insiders warn that without a budget increase, participation is not financially viable. The...