Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Italy: “Festival Di Sanremo” Contestants to be Revealed on November 30th

November 22, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Italian national broadcaster RAI announced today that it will reveal the participants in the "Festival Di Sanremo 2026" on November 30th. The Italian national broadcaster, RAI, announced that the list of contestants for the 76th edition of "Festival Di Sanremo" will be disclosed on November 30th during the "Tg1" television program airing at 13:30 CET. The contestants will be revealed by the artistic director and festival host, Carlo Conti. The festival will take place from February 24th to 28th, featuring 24 artists competing, with the winner earning the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. In case the winner declines to represent Italy, the broadcaster will select its representative from among the Sanremo competitors. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Although the official Sanremo Festival participant list has not yet been published, recent leaks suggest several former Italian representatives are likely to return. The most frequently mentioned names by industry sources include: Angelina Mango –...

Sweden: Three More Artists Expected to Participate in Melodifestivalen 2026!

November 22, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish media continues to report on additional artists expected to participate in Melodifestivalen 2026. And now, just before the list closes, three new artists revealed. Melodifestivalen 2026, Sweden’s national final for Eurovision 2026, is already generating buzz across Europe as Swedish media reveal some of the artists expected to compete. Following reports of possible returns from familiar names such as Robin Bengtsson, Fröken Snusk, and Medina, Swedish media reports that additional artists are expected to participate in the competition — a returning female artist, a guitarist of a well-known musician, and a singer with a name especially similar to a beloved former contestant. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet disclosed that the national broadcaster SVT has finalized the selection of 30 artists to perform in Melodifestivalen 2026, with their songs approved for next year’s competition. Three of the latest names disclosed are: Timo Räisänen Timo Räisänen, 46, guitarist in the backing band for Swedish musician Håkan Hellström, who began...

Iceland Backtracks? Signs of a Lift on the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026

November 21, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland nears a decision on Eurovision 2026 participation as sweeping voting reforms might lead its national broadcaster to withdraw its boycott pledge if Israel remains part of the competition. The Icelandic national broadcaster RÚV released a statement from its Director General, Stefán Eiríksson, regarding the Eurovision law reform: “This is clearly a step in the right direction”. Eiríksson appears to welcome the changes, viewing them as a constructive response to criticism surrounding last year’s contest—mainly regarding Israel’s participation. He expressed optimism about the new rules, while hinting that RÚV is still carefully assessing the overall situation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Iceland Slowly Returns, Politics Still Hold the Stage This position marks a stark contrast to that of countries opposing Israel’s participation, which expressed strong dissatisfaction with the EBU’s announcement of a major Eurovision 2026 voting system reform. The turnaround - intended to rebuild public trust by strengthening the influence of professional juries who withheld votes from Israel over the...

The Netherlands Celebrates: Eurovision Stars of All Time Reunite on Het Grote’s Stage

November 21, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amsterdam hosted the fifth annual "Het Grote Songfestivalfeest 2025", where 24 beloved Eurovision artists from across Europe took the stage for one festive night of music and nostalgia. The Dutch Eurovision show "Het Grote Songfestivalfeest" (in English: "The Big Song Festival Party") took place at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome, a venue with a 17,000-seat capacity in the Dutch capital. The show was first launched at the end of 2019 in honor of the Netherlands’ victory at Eurovision 2019, held in Tel Aviv, featuring the song "Arcade", as well as to celebrate the Eurovision contest that was supposed to take place in Rotterdam in 2020 but was, as is known, postponed to 2021. The event offers fans the chance to see all their favorite artists united on one stage with a variety of musical styles. The event was once again hosted by Edsilia Rombley (Netherlands’ representative in 1998 and 2007 and host of Eurovision 2021), television presenter Cornald Maas, joined by Rylan...

Countries Opposing Israel’s Participation in Eurovision React to the EBU Statement

November 21, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A day of drama: TV networks opposing Israel's participation in Eurovision respond critically to the EBU’s statement, expressing strong dissatisfaction and signaling growing tension ahead of the December assembly. The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK reported today that the discussion regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, scheduled for December 4th as part of the organization’s general assembly, has been entirely canceled. According to the report, the EBU decided that Israel will be allowed to participate in Eurovision as usual. The countries opposing Israel’s participation - Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Slovenia - issued statements, some defiant in tone, expressing clear dissatisfaction with the decision. It should be noted that the EBU has not confirmed the report, and the discussion and potential vote on Israel’s participation remain on the agenda as long as no official confirmation has been received. Therefore, Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is still not guaranteed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This morning, the European...

Eurovision 2026: Will the Semi-Final Allocation Draw Take Place on January 12th?

November 20, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to a report on an Italian website, the semi-final draw for Eurovision 2026 may take place on January 12th! During the draw, it will be determined who will perform in the first semi-final and who will perform in the second. The semi-final allocation draw and key handover ceremony is the first official Eurovision event of the year, organized by the national broadcaster of the host country, which this year is the Austrian ORF. According to an exclusive report on the Italian Eurovision website “Eurofestival news”, this year’s draw is expected to be held on January 12th, a relatively early date. During this event, the participating countries will be assigned to two semi-finals. The first semi-final will take place on May 12th, and the second on May 14th. Additionally, it will be decided for each artist whether they will appear in the first or second half of the evening. Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 is not yet confirmed, and...

New Data on Eurovision 2025: Did Basel succeed in its hosting mission?

November 20, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The city of Basel publishes a new sustainability report reviewing its conduct during Eurovision 2025; responses from 2,000 participants, results revealed. The city of Basel has published a new report presenting fascinating data about its hosting mission for Eurovision 2025. The latest report is intended to objectively assess the social, environmental, and economic impacts of hosting the contest in 2025. Among the metrics surveyed were visitor satisfaction, the impression left by the host city, and the sense of personal safety felt throughout the event. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); General Satisfaction: One of the survey’s metrics was visitors’ overall satisfaction during Eurovision week. Basel, the capital of Switzerland, scored a remarkable 95% approval from respondents. Positive Impression Left by Basel: Another question addressed was the positive impression Basel made as a leisure and tourism destination. Here too, the city earned the support of 92% of respondents, who described their impression as positive. The report further notes that 95% of respondents not...

Eurovision 2026: How Will the Postcards Accompanying the Contest Look Like?

November 20, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria’s national broadcaster ORF reveals how the Eurovision 2026 postcards will look, along with new details about filming, design inspiration, and ticket sales opening soon for Vienna’s contest. Austria’s national broadcaster, ORF, responsible for producing Eurovision 2026, has revealed fresh details about the upcoming contest that will take place in Vienna. Among them are new insights into the postcards that will feature each participating country and artist, describing their creative direction and visual style in detail. The broadcaster also announced the early registration date for Eurovision 2026 tickets — next Monday, November 24th. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Postcards: A New Artistic Vision Originally introduced to maintain broadcast flow and keep viewers engaged while stage crews prepared for the next act, the postcards have become a beloved Eurovision tradition. They draw great anticipation among fans, many of whom eagerly await each year's unique concept. According to ORF’s description, every postcard begins with a shot of the artist receiving a...

Spain: RTVE Makes Another Statement Against Israel’s Participation in Eurovision

November 20, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the meeting between the Austrian broadcaster’s CEO and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Spain’s broadcaster president accuses Eurovision’s host of politicization and levels harsh criticism. The rift among Europe’s broadcasters continues to deepen. The president of the Spanish national broadcaster RTVE, José Pablo López, launched an unprecedented public attack today against the Austrian national broadcaster — host of Eurovision 2026 — and the EBU. The trigger was the widely reported visit by top Austrian TV officials to Jerusalem and their meeting with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog — a move López claims exposes “the politicization of the contest” and bias in favor of Israel. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); López’s remarks came in response to reports suggesting Austrian officials are engaging in talks to persuade Spain and others not to withdraw from the contest in protest of Israel’s participation. Austria’s broadcaster CEO Roland Weissmann recently declared it was “Time for diplomacy within the EBU, [...] We will discuss, talk, listen, and try to persuade”. Weissmann’s statement referred...

Latvia: “Supernova 2026” Competitors Revealed

November 20, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Latvian national broadcaster, LTV, today published the list of artists competing in the Latvian Eurovision selection "Supernova 2026", battling for the ticket to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The Latvian national broadcaster, LTV, revealed today (Thursday) the identities of 24 competitors for "Supernova 2026", and released previews of the songs. This year's Supernova expands over three evenings: two semi-finals on January 31st and February 7th, with the final taking place one week later, on Saturday, February 14th. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The competitors in "Supernova 2026": Agnesse - "Oh My My" Aivo Oskis - "Walking Out" Antra Stafecka - "Divejada" Atvara - "Ena" Blurie - "Lovin' Always Get Me Down" Daba - "Panic Attack" De Mantra - "Let Them" Edvards Strazdiņš - "I Ain't Got the Guts" Elpo - "Blakus" Emilija - "All We Ever Had" Honey Blue - "Blue Disco" Ivo Grīsniņš Grīslis - "Home" Janis Rugajs - "Smoke" Kautkaili - "Te Un Tagad" Krisy -...