In an exclusive interview with EuroMix, Kati Wolf, Hungary’s representative at Eurovision 2011 with the hit “What About My Dreams?”, talks about her connection to Israel while wearing the Hostages’ Pin and shares her thoughts on the chances of returning to the Eurovision stage.
Singer Kati Wolf, who represented Hungary at Eurovision 2011 with her song “What About My Dreams?”, arrived in Israel this week. Despite finishing in a low position, her song remains one of the most loved and memorable entries from that year. Now, about 14 years after performing on the Eurovision stage in Düsseldorf, she has returned to Israel for an exclusive interview with the EuroMix team. Watch the special interview with Kati Wolf below!
On Sunday morning, we landed in Sarona, Tel Aviv, for the surprising meeting. It all began with an Instagram story where Kati documented an emotional visit to the memorial complex dedicated to the Nova victims, revealing that she was on a brief visit to the country. When she arrived, Kati greeted us with a captivating smile and a pleasant demeanor, accompanied by a friend who knew a little Hebrew. She was as excited about the conversation as we were, and we decided to conduct the interview outdoors, in the fresh air amid the urban nature.
What are you doing in Israel, in this preticular time?
I cane here just to visit Israel, I’ve never been before and I wanted to come because my best friend learned here, lived here, for a while and she has very good friends here, and they are my friends too, you know. And I wanted to come , to be here, to feel, how it’s to be her. And one more thing, I’m very glad that now tere’s a kind of peace, and I wanted to come and show my support, it’s important to me”.
I wanted to ask it Later, but since you opened it – we saw that you shared un your Instagram stories from the Hostage Square. How is it to publish stuff when it’s very trendy to be por-Palestinian?
“Yeah, that’s why I think it’s so important to say the opposite. Becausewe are not that loud sometimes like pro-Palestinian people. And I really read the news and everything and I feel that maybe people have no real information about what’s happening and what happened before, and that’s why I feel it’s important. Because a lot of people are following me, so maybe if they’ll see my stories, they’ll start to think and check what’s really happening there. I hope it happens”.
You represented Hungary in Eurovision with the song “What About My Dreans?”. To this day, this song is very popular in Eurovision community and also in Israel. Unfortunately you’re not staying today, but this evening but the “Eurofalsh” band will perform your song as a tribute.
You were 9th place in the Televoting, but the Juries scored you very low, and a lot of fans said it was unfair to your song, were you disappointed?
“Yes, of course. But I think that the most important thing that the song is still “Living” and people love it and I have fans from all around Europe, from this very loveful Eurovision fan club. And sometimes I travel to European countries, and people still know my song, still love my song, it’s much more important than what happened in Düsseldorf”.
Would you consider coming back to the contest? And do you think Hungary should be back?
“I don’t Know, it would be very good if we’ll do it againbecause we have good pop music, and I think that Eurovision fans are curious about our songs, our music. I don’t know if it’s possible ot not”.
A lot of delegations want to eliminate Israel from the contest, do you have an opinion on that?
“Yes, I would say it’s inpossible, it’s crazy. Eurovision Song Contest is about loving each other, not to speak about political things. It’s about getting closer”.
Like the slogan “United By Music”
“Yes, so I don’t understand it, and if they say Israel doesn’t come, then I will not watch it! I hope it won’t happen”.
We would like to know what are you doing recently with your career in Hungary. Because a lot of Israelis fly there, maybe you’re performing soon?
“I don’t know (laughs), I don’t even know my next week’s scedule, I’m still singing and I have a brand new song, check it: “Erre táncolj”, it’s about dancing and I’m dancing in the video clip too. I’m traveling, I’m singing, so I do the same”.
We would love you to convey a message to Euromix fans:
“One More Thing I can say, I’m absolutely amazed by Israel. But the most amazing are the people, and I want to say everybody should come here, to feel this energy of love, how you take care of each other, how you love each other, you don’t let anyone alone , so that’s absolutely fantastic. This is the most amazing thing here”.
Listen to Kati Wolf’s new song: “Erre táncolj” (in English: “Dance To It”)
Kati Wolf – Who Are You?
Singer Kati Wolf represented Hungary in Eurovision 2011 with the hit “What About My Dreams?”. Hungary qualified to the final in 7th place but finished only 22nd in the grand final. Kati became famous across Hungary already at age 7, when she sang the theme song of the popular Hungarian animated film “The Little Fox” (in Hungarian: “Vuk”). Her big breakthrough came in 2010 when she competed in the Hungarian version of the TV show X Factor. Kati made it to the finals but did not win. A year later, she was selected by the Hungarian committee to represent her country at Eurovision with the energetic and powerful song “What About My Dreams?” which remains etched in the hearts of Eurovision fans to this day.
Hungary in Eurovision 2019
Hungary last participated in Eurovision in 2019, represented by singer Joci Pápai with his song “Az én apám“. Hungary did not qualify for the final, the first time this happened since 2009, and subsequently withdrew from Eurovision 2020, which was ultimately canceled.
Eurovision 2019: This was Hungary’s 17th participation in Eurovision. Hungary joined the contest in 1994 and their best result was at their debut, in Eurovision 1994 with the song “Kinek Mondjam el Vetkeimet””, performed by singer Friderika Bayer.
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Ilay Gaist is a leading Israeli content creator and writer specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He is a well-known commentator with extensive expertise in the contest’s history, rules, and dynamics. His passion for Eurovision drives him to deliver rich, professional, and innovative content to his audience.
Ilay holds a bachelor’s degree in Arabic and has a multilingual background. He also engages in cultural research, with a particular focus on global culinary traditions and the evolution of local cuisines around the world.
