Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Breaking News: Has Cyprus Chosen Its Eurovision 2026 Representative?

October 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Cypriot national broadcaster CyBC recently unveiled eight candidates, most of them familiar faces, for Eurovision 2026. The list has since narrowed to two finalists. Has a final decision now been made ahead of the contest in Vienna? Cyprus has already confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 and announced that its representative would be selected by a professional committee. After confirming participation and outlining the selection process, the national broadcaster CyBC published a list of eight singers shortlisted to represent the island in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Soon after, the Greek website Eurovisionfun revealed that only two artists remain on the shortlist. Could this mean the Cypriot entrant - and potential return to the Grand Final after missing it by only two points - has finally been chosen? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Two Finalists About two weeks ago, the Greek website Eurovisionfun reported that only two artists were still in contention, both of whom appear on the list below. The two differ significantly in musical style, meaning the final choice will shape the artistic...

Estonia: 171 Songs Submitted for “Eesti Laul 2026”

October 20, 2025October 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Estonia’s national broadcaster ERR has confirmed that 171 songs have been submitted to “Eesti Laul 2026”, through which the country will choose its representative for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. After the Estonian national broadcaster ERR confirmed Estonia’s participation in Eurovision 2026 and announced that it would once again use the “Eesti Laul” format to select its entry for Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria, the broadcaster has now revealed that 171 songs have been submitted. This marks a slight decrease of four songs compared to last year, when 175 entries were received. The figure is also significantly lower than in 2024, when 215 songs were submitted for "Eesti Laul 2024". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A panel of more than 25 jurors will select 12 songs to compete in “Eesti Laul 2026”. All contestants will be chosen by the jury, with their names revealed on November 7th and their songs presented on December 4th. As in...

Kati Wolf: “If Israel Doesn’t Compete, Then I Won’t Watch Eurovision”

October 20, 2025October 22, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In an exclusive interview with EuroMix, Kati Wolf, Hungary's representative at Eurovision 2011 with the hit “What About My Dreams?”, talks about her connection to Israel while wearing the Hostages’ Pin and shares her thoughts on the chances of returning to the Eurovision stage. Singer Kati Wolf, who represented Hungary at Eurovision 2011 with her song “What About My Dreams?”, arrived in Israel this week. Despite finishing in a low position, her song remains one of the most loved and memorable entries from that year. Now, about 14 years after performing on the Eurovision stage in Düsseldorf, she has returned to Israel for an exclusive interview with the EuroMix team. Watch the special interview with Kati Wolf below! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On Sunday morning, we landed in Sarona, Tel Aviv, for the surprising meeting. It all began with an Instagram story where Kati documented an emotional visit to the memorial complex dedicated to the Nova victims, revealing that she was on...

After Astonishing Europe – Yuval Raphael Returns to “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”

October 20, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A year after competing on the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision” and earning the honor of representing Israel in Eurovision 2025, Yuval Raphael returns to the show – this time as a judge. After astonishing Europe, earning a respectable second place at Eurovision 2025, and moving an entire nation, Yuval Raphael comes full circle exactly one year after her first audition — returning to the reality show “HaKokhav HaBa LaEurovision”. But this time, she takes on a completely different role: sitting in the judge’s chair. The winner of the upcoming season, set to air in November, will step into Yuval Raphael’s shoes and represent Israel on the grand international stage at Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Yuval Raphael, the winner of the previous season and Israel’s representative for Eurovision 2025 in Basel with her stirring ballad “New Day Will Rise”, will join the judging panel as a guest judge. Her...

Ukraine: The Scandals Surrounding Vidbir 2026

October 20, 2025October 21, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine faces a turbulent time in "Vidbir 2026" as Jamala criticizes "terrible" submitted songs and legal battles over participation rules potentially changing. This year, even before the first note was heard on the Ukrainian "Vidbir 2026", the drama had already begun. At its center is none other than Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, who was appointed this year as the musical producer of the competition. But instead of a national creative celebration, Jamala found herself dealing with what appears to be an artistic crisis in Ukrainian music. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It Simply Tears Me Apart" A month and a half have passed since September 4th, the day when the song submission window for "Vidbir 2026" opened. The country that won first place twice in the last decade, and has maintained its position in the top ten for five consecutive years, now stands before what appears to be a musical crisis. Jamala, the musical producer of "Vidbir 2026" and the singer who brought...

Listen: Eliza Borg Delivers an Emotional Performance of “New Day Will Rise”

October 20, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eliza Borg, Malta’s Junior Eurovision 2025 representative in Tbilisi, Georgia, delivers a moving performance of Yuval Raphael’s “New Day Will Rise”, which earned second place at Eurovision 2025 in Basel. This week, young Maltese singer Eliza Borg won the television competition “The Voice Malta”, earning the right to represent Malta in Junior Eurovision 2025, which will take place in Tbilisi, Georgia. Following her victory, her emotional performance of “New Day Will Rise” was unveiled to the public. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Last Saturday, Borg was crowned winner of “The Voice Malta” and selected to represent her country at Junior Eurovision, scheduled for December 13th in Tbilisi, Georgia. In the show’s grand finale, Eliza performed the song she will compete with at Junior Eurovision, although its title has not yet been officially revealed. After her win, fans discovered that Borg had performed, just two months earlier, the song originally performed by Yuval Raphael, who proudly represented Israel at Eurovision 2025 and...

Armenia: Has the Future Eurovision 2027 Representative Been Revealed?

October 19, 2025December 11, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Armenia in Eurovision: In a new interview, French Eurovision star Patrick Fiori declares his intention to represent Armenia at Eurovision 2027. Yesterday, singer Patrick Fiori appeared before the cameras to promote his new album, nostalgically dedicated to the island of Corsica - much like his previous Eurovision song. Fiori, who represented France at Eurovision 1993 with the song “Mama Corsica”, finished in fourth place that year. Now, he surprises everyone by declaring that he will likely represent Armenia at Eurovision 2027, even though Armenia didn't confirm it's participation at Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Surprise Revelation About Eurovision Return During the interview promoting his new album, an unexpected exchange took place when the interviewer asked: Do you have the right not to talk about Armenia tonight? Fiori responded with a surprising statement: “Look, I think I’m going to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest. Basically, everything is moving in that direction. I’m in contact with the people involved”. Fiori, born to...

Spoiler in Sanremo: Was the Contestant List for “Festival Di Sanremo” Revealed Too Soon?

October 18, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Rumors swirl around Italy’s “Festival Di Sanremo 2026,” as a potential contestant list seems to have leaked way ahead of schedule. Will the official reveal on December 7th confirm it? The 76th edition of "Festival di Sanremo", is already making headlines, with speculation spreading like wildfire. Among the latest updates is host Carlo Conti’s confirmed resignation after just two consecutive years. But the biggest question now: has the list of contestants vying for a ticket to Eurovision 2026, scheduled for revealing on December 7th, been revealed earlier than planned? From current reports, the Italians seem less than thrilled... (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In recent hours, Italian social media has been buzzing with rumors regarding potential participants expected to take the stage at the Ariston Theatre at the end of February. According to a report by Adnkronos, one former representative may return: Angelina Mango, Italy’s Eurovision 2024 entrant. After a significant absence from the stage, she is said...

Bernd Meinunger, One of Eurovision’s Greatest Songwriters, Died at Age of 81

October 18, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); German lyricist Bernd Meinunger, who penned some of Germany’s most iconic Eurovision classics, has passed away at the age of 81. The German lyricist Bernd Meinunger, one of the most renowned figures in Germany’s Eurovision history and the author of huge hits such as “Ein bisschen Frieden” and “Reise nach Jerusalem”, passed away yeaterday (Friday) at the age of 81. Meinunger died at his home in Grunwald after struggling for years with severe health issues. He passed away following a prolonged battle with a bacterial infection that began after knee surgery around four years ago. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Who Was Bernd Meinunger? Meinunger was best known as the longtime collaborator and creative partner of legendary Eurovision composer and producer Ralph Siegel. Together, the two created many of the most famous Eurovision songs ever submitted by Germany - Meinunger wrote the lyrics while Siegel composed the music. Siegel paid tribute to his late friend in an interview, saying: “He...

Italy Confirms Participation in Eurovision 2026

October 16, 2025October 16, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italy’s national broadcaster RAI confirms participation in Eurovision 2026 and releases the “Festival Di Sanremo” regulations, the event through which Italy’s entry to Vienna will be selected. Italy’s national broadcaster, RAI, has officially announced that Italy will take part in Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria. Italy becomes the 29th country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Festival Di Sanremo" Regulations The winner of the Sanremo 2026 Festival is expected to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. However, if RAI and the artistic director decide otherwise, a different artist may be appointed. Actual participation will depend on the formal approval of the EBU, in accordance with contest regulations — including song lyric compliance. To qualify, any artist wishing to represent...