Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Euromix’s Choice: Who Should Represent Moldova at Eurovision 2026?

January 17, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing songs in "Selecția Națională 2026". Who should represent Moldova at Eurovision according to the editorial team? Moldova's "Selecția Națională 2026" will take place tonight, Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at 18:00 CET. The winner of the local competition will represent the country at Eurovision 2026 which will be held in Vienna, Austria. For the first time, the winner will be chosen through a combination of votes from the live audience (33%), local judges (33%), and international judges (33%). In anticipation of this event, Euromix editorial team members gathered to listen to the participating songs and select their favorites from Moldova's "Selecția Națională 2026" . (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Moldova? Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Satoshi – "Viva, Moldova" Satoshi brings to Selecția Națională's stage an ethno-rock performance that fuses traditional folk elements with powerful rock energy. The lyrics aim to uplift...

Eurovision 2026: Kazakhstan and Canada will not Debut for the 70th anniversary

January 16, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The hope for another “Australian surprise” has vanished: the EBU officially confirmed that Canada and Kazakhstan, once considered for a historic debut in Vienna, will remain out. what is preventing them from joining? All the details - Right here! One of the season’s most persistent Eurovision rumors was officially dispelled yesterday (Thursday). During a press conference, Eurovision Executive Supervisor Martin Green confirmed once and for all: Kazakhstan and Canada will not make their debut in Vienna for the 70th Eurovision anniversary celebrations. The reason, he explained, is that the deadline for new countries to join has passed, and it’s now too late to add participants this year. The announcement follows months of speculation about potential new countries joining the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); It had been widely speculated that the EBU was planning a special gesture to mark Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, similar to how Australia was invited to participate for the first time at Eurovision 2015 during the contest’s 60th anniversary....

Croatia: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 to Be Chosen on February 15th

January 16, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT has revealed the dates for “Dora 2026”, and announced the semi-final line-up of the 24 contestants. Which artist compete in each semi-final? All the details - Right here! Croatia’s national broadcaster HRT announced yesterday (Thursday) the official dates for “Dora 2026”, and also unveiled the division of the 24 contestants into two semi-finals. According to the announcement, the process for selecting the entry that will represent Croatia at Eurovision will be broadcast live from Zagreb, and will include three main shows: two semi-finals and a grand final, where we will finally learn who will represent Croatia at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The first semi-final will take place on Thursday, February 12th, 2026, while the second semi-final will be held the following day, Friday, February 13th. The grand final, in which Croatia’s Eurovision entry will be chosen, is scheduled for Sunday, February 15th. הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם ‏‎פוסט משותף...

Malta: “MESC 2026” Semi-Final Results!

January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 12 contestants advanced to the grand final of “MESC 2026” after tonight’s semi-final. See the full list of finalists and discover who will compete for the Maltese ticket to Eurovision 2026! Twelve contestants out of eighteen have qualified for the grand final of Malta’s Eurovision pre-selection competition “MESC 2026,” which will take place this Saturday, January 17th. During the event, Malta will choose its representative and song for Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. The semi-final was hosted by Destiny Chukunyere, Malta’s Junior Eurovision 2015 winner in and Malta’s representative in Eurovision 2020 and 2021, Gaia Cauchi, who brought Malta victory at Junior Eurovision 2013, and Keane Cutajar, a popular Maltese television presenter. The main interval act featured Tommy Cash, representative of Estonia at Eurovision 2025, who performed his hit “Espresso Macchiato”. The results were determined by an equal combination of jury votes (50%) and public televoting (50%). The winner of the Maltese national final will earn the honor of representing Malta at Eurovision...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 31: Michael HarPaz Is the Sixteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

January 15, 2026January 17, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Michael HarPaz is the sixteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 5 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz, and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 31. In 5 days, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th. 6 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 5 will continue to the semi-final. This episode was a Hanan Ben Ari special, with each contestant choosing one of the musician’s songs. Hanan Ben Ari met with the contestants and coached them for their performances. He also performed his song “Lo HaMeshuga HaYekhidi”, joined by the contestants in the final chorus. This time, the judges did not use the "favor" or "against" voting system during the performances. Instead,...

Tonight at 21:00 CET: The Semi-Final of “MESC 2026”!

January 15, 2026January 16, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Watch live tonight at 21:00 CET, the Semi-Final of Malta’s “MESC 2026” begins! Twelve songs will advance to Saturday’s Grand Final. Link to watch the live broadcast - Below! Tonight at 21:00 CET, “MESC 2026”, will officially begin. By the end of the selection process, Malta’s entry for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. This evening marks the Semi-Final, where 18 songs will compete for 12 spots in the Grand Final, which will be held this coming Saturday, January 17th, at 21:00 CET. “MESC 2026” will take place at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali and will be hosted by three presenters: Destiny Chukunyere, Malta’s representative for Eurovision 2020 and 2021, Gaia Cauchi, and Keane Cutajar. The finalists will be selected through a combination of jury votes (50%) and public votes (50%). Watch the semi-final live from 21:00 to 00:00 CET – click here! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "MESC 2026" Running Order: Aidan – “Bella” Ema – “Achikuku...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 30: Nave Levi Is the Fifteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

January 13, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Nave Levi is the fifteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 6 contestants remain in the race, including Shira Zloof, Gal De Paz, and Michael HarPaz. Full recap of Episode 30. Exactly next week, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 7 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 6 will continue. The judges did not vote "in favor" or "against" during the performances this time. Instead, they awarded each contestant a score ranging from 6 to 12 points at the end of their performance. The judges’ scores made up 50% of the total, while the audience’s votes comprised the remaining 50%. The two contestants with the lowest combined scores faced elimination — and the judging panel decided which...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 29: Agam Hazan Is the Fourteenth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

January 11, 2026January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Agam Hazan is the fourteenth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 7 contestants remain in the race, including Michael HarPaz, Alona Erez, Nave Levi, and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 29. In 9 days, the grand finale of "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026" will take place, featuring four finalists. The winner of the competition will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. 8 contestants remain in the competition so far, but by the end of tonight’s episode, only the top 7 will continue. The episode aired this evening was the second of two in the Shlomo Artzi special, in which each contestant chose a song by one of Israel’s leading singers, who also represented the country at Eurovision 1975 with his song "At VaAni". During the episode, the show’s judges performed Shlomo Artzi’s song “Lo Ozev Et Ha'Ir”. Toward the end of the episode, singer Amir Benayoun joined the judging panel, replacing Itay...

Yuval Raphael Reveals: “I Faced Hate from Every Direction”

January 11, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Yuval Raphael reveals everything: from online hate and death threats to winning the public vote and confronting global controversy face-to-face. Yuval Raphael — Israel’s representative at Eurovision 2025 — finished second with her song "New Day Will Rise". In an interview with "Daily Mail", she laid all her cards on the table - from her take on Nemo’s provocation and the trophy return to death threats and the emotional high of winning the public vote. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Love and Hate: Yuval Raphael’s Rollercoaster Yuval begins the interview with her heroic story from October 7th, describing how she survived in a shelter she calls “the bunker of death”, and how, just 18 months later, she found herself on the world’s biggest stage. She says that even there, pro-Palestinian activism followed her: “The love in my heart guided me, even when I was surrounded by hate from all sides—hate aimed at my people, rooted in a distorted perception...

Greece: “Sing for Greece 2026” Postponed to the Second Week of February

January 11, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to Greek media, "Sing For Greece 2026", originally set for February 3rd, 5th, and 7th, has been postponed by a week. Will Greece join the four shows held on Valentine’s Day? According to Greek media, "Sing For Greece 2026" - originally planned for February 3rd, 5th, and 7th - has been rescheduled to the following week. The national final will feature two semi-finals and a grand final, with the winner representing Greece at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek media reported that the national broadcaster decided to delay the "Sing For Greece 2026" shows, which were originally scheduled for February 3rd, 5th, and 7th. According to the reports, organizers wanted to avoid holding the event on February 14th - Valentine’s Day - which already features four other national finals (Poland, Denmark, Latvia and Estonia), and to steer clear of the Greek holiday Tsiknopempti, which falls on that Thursday, February 12th....