Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Lenny Kuhr Immigrates to Israel: “The Atmosphere Toward Jews Is No Longer Good”

February 5, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After announcing her retirement from music, Eurovision winner Lenny Kuhr makes another surprising move: citing hostility toward Jews in the Netherlands and her husband’s health, she’s moving to Israel. After her retirement announcement, Lenny Kuhr, one of the most significant voices in Dutch music and one of the four winners of Eurovision 1969, revealed in an interview held yesterday (Wednesday) that she will leave the Netherlands and immigrate to Israel. As she explained, “the atmosphere toward Jews in the Netherlands is no longer good”. It appears that Kuhr faced multiple reasons for leaving her homeland - among them, her husband Rob Frank’s deteriorating health and the hostility she received due to her outspoken support for Israel. For her, retirement felt like a natural signal, even though she is still able to sing and perform: “My voice is still good, I feel fine, and my show is going great. But I’ve received signs that I should stop”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Reasons...

Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Returning to Hebrew Could Secure Israel’s Eurovision 2026 Victory

February 3, 2026 by Ilay GaistNo Comments

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); With 200 songs submitted and the official reveal set for Noam Bettan’s birthday, Israel searches for the secret formula to turn its leading odds into a real victory in Vienna. Which language will win? The preparations for Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria, are shifting into high gear, and the anticipation ahead of Israel’s song reveal on March 5th is peaking. After the submission window closed with approximately 200 songs sent to the professional committee, the focus now shifts to selecting the winning song that will represent the country in the contest. With Israel topping the betting charts, the big question now isn’t only about musical style - but about language. This year, the excitement is doubled: Israel’s national broadcaster KAN announced that the song will be unveiled in a festive live show that happens to coincide with Noam Bettan’s 28th birthday. Will Noam continue the English trend that has dominated the last decade, or will the European movement toward native-language songs reach Israel as well...

Israel at Eurovision 2026: Song Reveal Date Set for March 5th

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Ilay GaistNo Comments

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Israeli national broadcaster KAN announces: Noam Bettan’s Eurovision 2026 song will be revealed live on March 5th, heightening the excitement ahead of the competition. Moments ago, the Israeli national broadcaster KAN announced that Israel’s song for Eurovision 2026, to be performed by Noam Bettan, will be officially unveiled during a live primetime broadcast on Thursday, March 5th, immediately following the evening news on KAN 11. The show will air live from the Neve Ilan studios and will also be simulcast on KAN Gimmel, KAN BOX, and KAN’s digital platforms. Interestingly, the reveal will take place on Noam Bettan's 28th birthday, adding a personal and festive touch to the highly anticipated event. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); How Will Israel Choose Its Song for Eurovision 2026? Two weeks ago, the final of “HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026” took place, where Noam Bettan won first place and was selected to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, which will be held this...

Latvia: First “Supernova 2026” Semi-Final Results

January 31, 2026February 4, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Five songs have advanced to the final of “Supernova 2026”, which will take place on February 14th. "Supernova 2026" officially kicked off today, featuring 12 artists competing for five spots in the final. The first semi-final was held at the Riga Film Studio in Latvia’s capital, Riga, and was hosted by Ketija Šēnberga, Lauris Reiniks, and Māra Sleja. At the end of the evening, five songs successfully advanced to the final round. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); First Semi-Final Qualifiers: Tikasha Sakama – “#010126 Coda“ Elpo – “Blakus“ Emilija – “All We Ever Had“ Kautkaili – “Te Un Tagad“ De Mantra – “Let Them“ Click on the song title to listen! Among the competitors there is one familiar name, Emilija, who Competed in 2025 with the song "Heartbeat", finishing second. Supernova 2026 Dates: First Semi-Final – Saturday, January 31st, 2026. Second Semi-Final – Saturday, February 7th, 2026. Grand Final – Saturday, February 14th, 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Latvia at Eurovision 2025 “Bur Man Laimi” (in English: “Song for Happiness”)...

Lithuania: Second “Eurovizija.LT 2026” Heat Results

January 31, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The second heat of “Eurovizija.LT 2026” has concluded: two acts advanced directly to the Grand Final, with a third artist earning a spot in the online “Wildcard” round. The second heat of “Eurovizija.LT” kicked off today. Eight artists competed for two spots in the Grand Final, with a third act earning a chance to join the online “Wild Card” round later in the season. The results were determined by a combined vote of the public (50%) and the jury (50%). The heat was recorded at the LRT studios in Vilnius and hosted by Gabriele Martirosian, Rimvydas Černiauskas and Eglė Kernagytė. From now on, the heats will take place weekly, every Saturday, until the final. Lithuania’s act and song for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen in the Grand Final, scheduled for Friday, February 27th, at the “Twinsbet Arena” in Vilnius,Lithuania. The qualifiers for the Grand Final are Vilnius Voices and Atikin. The act advancing to the "Wildcard" round is Grete. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Second Heat...

Surprise: Bulgaria Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2027!

January 31, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Bulgaria’s national broadcaster BNT confirms participation in Eurovision 2027 - just moments before the representative for Eurovision 2026 has even been selected! Bulgaria becomes the first country to confirm participation. Just a few moments before a representative for Eurovision 2026 has been selected, Bulgaria has confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2027! During the final of "Natsionalna Selektsiya", the country officially announced not only its participation but also the continuation of its national selection process for another year. Bulgaria is the first country to confirm participation in Eurovision 2027. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Bulgarian Selection Process for 2027 During the final of "Natsionalna Selektsiya" - before the 2026 representative was even chosen - the Bulgarian national broadcaster BNT took a bold step and invited Ivo Dimchev to take part in next year’s "Natsionalna Selektsiya". In doing so, Bulgaria officially confirmed both its participation in Eurovision 2027 and the continuation of its selection show next year. Bulgaria’s Eurovision Journey Bulgaria joined the Eurovision...

Italy: Achille Lauro Joins as Co‑Host of Festival Di Sanremo 2026

January 31, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italy’s national broadcaster RAI has announced that Achille Lauro, San Marino’s representative at Eurovision 2022, will co‑host "Festival Di Sanremo 2026" with Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini. He shocked Italy with transparent bodysuits, staged a televised baptism, and represented San Marino at Eurovision 2022 on a mechanical bull. Now, Achille Lauro makes the most surprising turn in his career — stepping to the establishment side of the stage as co‑host of this year’s Festival Di Sanremo. Italy’s national broadcaster RAI officially announced during the Tg1 evening news broadcast that Lauro will serve as co‑presenter at "Festival Di Sanremo 2026". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From Provocation to the Mainstream Stage The announcement marks a major milestone in the festival’s history. Lauro, long regarded as Sanremo’s “bad boy”, now takes the reins of Italy’s most prestigious and widely watched cultural event, joining two established figures: seasoned broadcaster Carlo Conti and singer‑host Laura Pausini, who co‑hosted Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy. The combination of Conti and Lauro...

Ukraine: “Vidbir 2026” Final Running Order Revealed!

January 31, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine’s national broadcaster, Suspilne, has revealed the running order for “Vidbir 2026”, set for February 7th, where Ukraine’s entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna will be chosen. Ukraine’s national broadcaster, Suspilne, announced yesterday (Friday) on social media the official running order of the ten competing songs competing in “Vidbir 2026”. The final will take place next Saturday, February 7th, at 18:00 CET. The winner will go on to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The winner of the national final will be determined through a combination of audience votes (50%) and the jury vote revealed last night (50%). Who will take the win and represent Ukraine on the Eurovision stage? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Vidbir 2026": Running Order Valeriya Force - Open Our Hearts MOLODI - The Legends Monokate - TYT The Elliens - Crawling Whispers LAUD - Lightkeeper LELÉKA - Ridnim Mr. Vel - Do or Done KHAYAT - Hertzi Jerri Heil - Catharticus ShchukaRyba - Moya...

Tonight at 20:00 CET: Bulgaria Selects its Representative for Eurovision 2026!

January 31, 2026February 14, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Watch live: Tonight at 20:00 CET, Bulgaria holds the grand final of “Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026”, to select its Eurovision 2026 representative for Vienna, Austria. A live stream link is available below. Tonight at 20:00 CET, the final stage of "Natsionalna Selektsiya 2026", will take place at the studios of the national broadcaster BNT in Sofia. By the end of the night, Bulgaria’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. Eight contestants will compete for the honor of representing Bulgaria at the Eurovision in Vienna, Austria. As in the first stage, each performer will sing one of their known hits—not the song planned for Eurovision. The Eurovision entry itself will be selected during a special broadcast on February 28th. The grand final will be hosted by Georgi Lyubenov, Boryana Gramatikova, and in the green room by Vladimira Ilieva. Five judges will determine the results, scoring each song between 1 and 5 points. Simultaneously, the public can vote on the official BNT website: the entry receiving...

Tonight at 20:00 CET: Second Heat of “Eurovizija.LT 2026”

January 31, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Watch: Tonight at 20:00 CET, the second heat of “Eurovizija.LT 2026”, at its end two songs will secure their place in the final. Here is a link to watch the broadcast. The second heat of “Eurovizija.LT”, is setting out today! Another eight artists will compete tonight for two spots in the final, while a third contestant will receive a chance to take part in a “second chance round” that will be held online later in the season. The results will be determined by a combination of public voting (50%) and jury voting (50%). The second heat will take place at the LRT television studios in Vilnius, hosted by Gabriele Martirosian, Rimvydas Černiauskas, and Eglė Kernagytė. The heats will be held weekly, every Saturday, leading up to the final. Lithuania’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen during the final, which is expected to take place on Friday, February 27th, at the Twinsbet Arena in Vilnius, the capital of...