The storm, the hate, and the swift denial: Megara posted a photo hinting at a Eurovision 2026 comeback – and were met with a wave of outrage.
A seemingly innocent photo uploaded over the weekend triggered a major drama that began in San Marino, spread to Spain, and soon engulfed all of Europe. On X, an image appeared showing a participation badge from “San Marino Song Contest 2026”, featuring the name of the Spanish band that had previously represented the country — Megara. From that moment, a storm erupted that should serve as a red warning light across the continent.
The post and the Reactions
“Friends, let’s see how we can explain this… Things happened today…”
Read the caption accompanying the photo that started the uproar. In no time, band members found themselves trying to explain to masses of angry followers exactly what had happened.
Amiguis a ver cómo os lo explicamos… Hoy han pasado cosas… 🥸 pic.twitter.com/sV1fmiUx1P
— MEGARA (@weareMEGARA) December 19, 2025
The photo showed the band members holding a participant badge for “San Marino Song Contest”. Not long after it was posted, social networks responded with striking intensity. A wave of furious comments, accusations, and criticism flooded various platforms. For some users, merely seeing Megara’s name associated with Eurovision was enough to spark outrage – especially amid the sensitive climate surrounding the contest and Israel’s upcoming participation. Within hours, what seemed like a trivial image became a hot topic – not only in San Marino and Spain but across the continent. Anti-Israel commenters rushed to attack the band online.
Among the responses were statements such as: “I’m really disappointed in you. Don’t you think this isn’t the time to take part in anything related to Eurovision?”, “I see you have very few principles,” and “What happened to values?”, alongside even harsher words.
Most of the hostility came from Spanish commenters calling on the band to align with the national broadcaster and boycott Eurovision entirely.
Megara’s Response
Only three hours after the controversial image appeared online, the band released a 90-second video aimed at calming the storm, denying any comeback plans, and addressing the vicious hate they faced.
In the video, titled “We’re not here for casting”, Megara clarified they had not registered for “San Marino Song Contest” and had no intention of doing so. According to them, their stay in the country lasted just two days, solely to film a new documentary exploring Eurovision’s history and their own experiences in the contest. They emphasized that the photo sparking the uproar had been taken as part of an interview at the site where this year’s auditions took place, and that it was taken entirely out of context.
The band expressed surprise and sadness over the wave of hate following the post, noting that for about ten years they have invested deeply in creating, producing content, and reaching new audiences. They said they were particularly disappointed to find that one misinterpreted image gained more attention than their new musical work.
Megara also thanked those who chose not to join the hate wave and shared their excitement about participating in the documentary project. They ended their statement by calling on their followers to give the project a chance once it airs, and to focus on what truly matters – the music and the story, not the headlines born online.
❌ NO NOS HEMOS PRESENTADO AL CASTING ❌ pic.twitter.com/zOoeF8K7wK
— MEGARA (@weareMEGARA) December 20, 2025
Out of Control
The case of Megara should raise a far deeper alarm than just one image or one band. The hatred poured out here did not stem from informed criticism, nor did it concern music, artistry, or a coherent stance. It was a fiery, nearly automatic reaction that illustrates how Eurovision has become an uncontrollable political trigger – one that can ignite a storm merely by mention.
It’s becoming hard to claim this discourse revolves only around Israel. The feeling is that Eurovision itself has turned into an easy punching bag, and anyone associated with it – artist, creator, or even documentary project – could become a target. The hypocrisy is deafening: in the name of “values” and “morality”, people feel justified spreading hate, canceling artists, and demanding boycotts, sometimes without even understanding what they are reacting to.
And that might be the most troubling part. When Eurovision stops being a song contest and turns instead into an outlet for anger, boycotts, and labeling, something profound is lost. This is not about legitimate political opinion anymore but about an exaggeration that erases boundaries. If this is the reaction to a single photo, perhaps the problem no longer lies with Israel, the band, or Eurovision – but with the very discourse itself, which seems long out of proportion.
San Marino at Eurovision 2025
“Tutta L’Italia” (in English: “All of Italy”) is the song that Gabry Ponte has performed to represent San Marino at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. He finished 10th in the semi-final and qualified with 46 points, for the fourth time ever for San Marino. In the final, Ponte came 26th and last with 27 points only.
Eurovision 2026: This will be San Marino’s 16th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. San Marino joined the competition in 2008 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2019 when the singer Serhat finished in 19th place with the song “Say Na Na Na”.
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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.
