Artists’ Revolt in Festival da Canção: “We Won’t Represent Portugal Because of Israel”

Artists’ Revolt in Festival da Canção: “We Won’t Represent Portugal Because of Israel”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); An unprecedented number of contestants in "Festival da Canção" declare they will refuse to represent the country if they win, protesting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. During the past weekend, Portugal’s national broadcaster RTP announced that it had voted in favor of the new contest regulations and supported Israel’s participation during the General Assembly of the EBU. The broadcaster has since faced internal backlash from its employees over this decision. Now, 11 out of 16 songwriters participating in the Portuguese Eurovision preselection “Festival da Canção 2026” have jointly declared that they will refuse to represent Portugal at Eurovision following the decision that Israel will take part in Eurovision 2026. This stance was made possible by a newly added clause in the festival’s regulations stipulating that the local winner is not obligated to represent Portugal at Eurovision - a contrast to previous years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In their joint statement, the eleven participating artists expressed unusually strong criticism of Israel, saying...
Read More
Albania: The Allocation of Semi-Finalists for “Festivali i Këngës 64” Revealed

Albania: The Allocation of Semi-Finalists for “Festivali i Këngës 64” Revealed

by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In just one week, Albania’s "Festivali i Këngës" will open in Tirana, revealing its Eurovision 2026 representative. Here’s who will perform on each night and what’s planned for the nostalgic evening. In exactly one week, Tirana will host Albania’s most anticipated cultural event of the year – the 64th edition of the "Festivali i Këngës", which will once again serve as the country’s national selection for Eurovision. The national broadcaster RTSH officially announced today (Wednesday) the full performance lineup of 28 artists divided between two semi-finals, scheduled for December 17 and 18. The winner of the grand final, to be held on December 20, will represent Albania at Eurovision 2026, taking place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Festivali i Këngës” Semi-Final 1 – December 17 The festival will open next Wednesday with 14 performers taking to the stage one after another: Rigersa Loka – Albanian Heart​ Lorenc Hasrama – Lamtumirë​ Sara Kapo – Të dua shumë​ Sheila – Zemra e...
Read More
Iceland Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation

Iceland Withdraws from Eurovision 2026 Over Israel’s Participation

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland joins the boycott against Israel: The Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV has officially withdrawn from Eurovision 2026. A total of 35 countries are expected to participate in the contest in Vienna. In recent minutes, the Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV announced Iceland’s official withdrawal from Eurovision 2026. The decision was reached this evening following a decisive discussion by the broadcaster — just before the final registration deadline for the contest. Iceland is now the fifth country to announce its withdrawal from the upcoming contest, which will be held in Vienna, Austria and joins Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia, all of which made similar decisions last week due to Israel’s participation. The official withdrawal statement read: “In light of the ongoing public debate in Iceland and the reactions to the EBU’s decision last week, it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail around RÚV’s participation in Eurovision. Therefore, RÚV concludes that it must inform the EBU today that it will not take part in next...
Read More
Sissal Hints: A Surprising Comeback to DMGP 2026 on the Way?

Sissal Hints: A Surprising Comeback to DMGP 2026 on the Way?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Danish singer Sissal Hansen, who represented Denmark at Eurovision 2025, sparks speculation after hinting at "secret plans" for 2026, suggesting a possible comeback to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. The "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix" is intensifying as several countries reveal their 2026 candidates - including familiar names from the Eurovision community - vying for another chance to compete in Vienna, Austria. Among those potentially joining the list is none other than Sissal, Denmark’s 2025 Eurovision representative, who performed the song “Hallucination”. Sissal recently appeared on the morning show "Go' morgen Danmark" (in English: “Good Morning Denmark”) where she performed her latest single, “I’m Not Crying, I’m Dancing”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the interview, Sissal discussed the meaning of her new song and subtly teased a return: “2026 may be even bigger than 2025”. She mentioned her 2026 calendar is filling up quickly, with much of her time dedicated to studio work. Recently, she has been collaborating with Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, and Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt —...
Read More
Drama in Croatia: Karolina Ilic Was Unexpectedly Disqualified!

Drama in Croatia: Karolina Ilic Was Unexpectedly Disqualified!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); One week after Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT revealed the 24 contestants for Dora 2026, an unexpected change was announced — one participant was disqualified and replaced by a new contender. Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT revealed exactly one week ago the 24 contestants expected to compete in “Dora 2026”, the pre-selection through which the country will choose its representative for Eurovision 2026. The broadcaster also announced four backup entries, prepared in case one of the participants withdraws or is disqualified. Now, a surprising development has occurred — one contestant has indeed been disqualified. Why was she removed? Who will replace her and compete for the honor of representing Croatia at the prestigious contest? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); HRT announced today the sudden disqualification of one of the contestants: singer Karolina Ilic, who was set to compete with her song “Breathe Her In”. According to HRT, Karolina was disqualified because she is not a Croatian citizen. Under Dora’s official rules, all participants must...
Read More
Poland: We Will Not Join the Boycott Against Israel!

Poland: We Will Not Join the Boycott Against Israel!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite anti-Israel protests, Poland reconfirms its participation in Eurovision 2026! Poland’s national broadcaster TVP had already confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026 early last month. However, today - following the decision that Israel will indeed take part - the broadcaster reiterated its position clearly: Poland will participate and will not join the boycott against Israel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Poland Decides About a week after the EBU’s General Assembly confirmed Israel’s participation, several countries, including Spain, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Ireland announced their withdrawal. Yet Poland chose a different path, reasserting its participation—a move that surprised many and sparked widespread debate. Public Backlash – But Poland Stands Firm In Poland, social media quickly filled with calls for the  Polish national broadcaster to join the boycott. Local media reported that TVP received hundreds of emails urging it to withdraw from Eurovision 2026. Opponents of the decision argued that TVP should act as it did regarding Russia - calling for its exclusion the morning after its invasion of...
Read More
Germany: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 Will Be Chosen on February 28th

Germany: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 Will Be Chosen on February 28th

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany’s national broadcaster SWR revealed that “Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale 2026,” where the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be selected, is set for February 28th. Germany’s national broadcaster SWR announced today (Wednesday) that the German national selection show, “Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale 2026,” will be held on February 28th, at 20:15 CET. The event will air via ARD and will also be available for streaming through ARD Mediathek. By the end of the live broadcast, Germany’s representative and song for Eurovision 2026 - set to take place in Vienna, Austria - will be revealed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany Isn’t Playing Around This year, Germany’s selection process includes multiple stages, among them songwriting camps organized by SWR. During these camps, artists aspiring to represent Germany have been collaborating with well-known and experienced producers and performers, all with one clear goal - to secure Germany’s best Eurovision result in years, or possibly...
Read More
Eurovision 2026: Moments Before the Deadline – Iceland, Poland, and Armenia Must Decide

Eurovision 2026: Moments Before the Deadline – Iceland, Poland, and Armenia Must Decide

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The final confirmation deadline for Eurovision 2026 ends today. Iceland, Poland, and Armenia have yet to announce their decisions as Iceland and Poland hold last-minute talks about a possible boycott. As the final hours of the official deadline tick away, it has been revealed that Iceland and Poland have yet to announce whether they will participate in Eurovision 2026. According to available information, both nations are debating whether to join the boycott over Israel’s participation. The EBU has set today as the final registration deadline, and the decisions of these countries could significantly alter the list of participants. So far, 33 national broadcasters have confirmed their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest scheduled to take place this year in Vienna. However, three - AMPTV from Armenia, RÚV from Iceland, and TVP from Poland - have yet to officially announce their decisions. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland to Decide Today: Will It Boycott Eurovision 2026? At this crucial moment, Iceland stands at a crossroads...
Read More
Eurovision 2026: EBU Declares “No Change in Participation Fees”

Eurovision 2026: EBU Declares “No Change in Participation Fees”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The EBU faces financial challenges but confirms: “Participation fees for Eurovision 2026 remain unchanged despite the withdrawal wave from Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain”. In recent hours, the EBU issued a clarification stating that participation fees for Eurovision 2026 will remain unchanged - despite an unusual wave of withdrawals by Ireland, The Netherlands, Slovenia, and Spain from the contest. This clarification follows growing concern among participating countries amid one of the most dramatic crises in Eurovision’s history. Four nations announced their withdrawal after last Thursday’s EBU meeting, which officially approved Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The concern was that the remaining participants would have to absorb the budget gap created by these withdrawals. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to a report by the Norwegian national broadcaster NRK, the channel contacted the EBU to ask whether the recent withdrawals would lead to higher participation fees - costs that each competing nation must pay to take part in the contest. The Norwegian...
Read More
Eurovision 2026: The Official Stage Reveal Date Announced!

Eurovision 2026: The Official Stage Reveal Date Announced!

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Preparations for Eurovision 2026 continue as Austria’s national broadcaster ORF confirms that the official stage design for the Vienna contest will be unveiled on December 16th, led once again by designer Florian Wieder. The excitement ahead of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna continues to build, with the next major milestone being the unveiling of the stage design - one of the most anticipated moments in every Eurovision season. Austria’s national broadcaster ORF has announced the reveal date: Tuesday, December 16th. Florian Wieder, one of the most iconic stage designers associated with the Eurovision Song Contest, returns for the tenth time as the competition’s lead designer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Florian Wieder Designs His Tenth Eurovision Stage For Wieder, considered one of the world’s leading stage designers, this marks his tenth Eurovision stage and his third consecutive year in the role, following the designs for Malmö 2024 and Basel 2025. Wieder is known for drawing creative inspiration from the cultural and...
Read More