Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Albania: The Entry for Eurovision 2026 Will Be Chosen on December 20th

October 15, 2025October 16, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After a record of 120 songs submitted, the Albanian national broadcaster RTSH reveals new details about “Festivali i Këngës 64”, that will determine who will represent Albania in Eurovision 2026. In a new interview with Radio Tirana 1, Elhaida Dani - artistic director of the festival, singer, composer, and Albania’s representative at Eurovision 2015 - revealed the first details about what awaits the audience this year, noting that the festival will be held from December 17th to 20th. “This year we received 120 songs. It’s a record I’m very proud of, [...] Last year’s festival created a huge buzz, motivating Albanian artists to believe in the festival again”. Said Dani. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Albanian "Festivali i Këngës", has for decades been one of the oldest traditions in the Eurovision world. It began in 1962 and is broadcast every year at the end of December. Since Albania joined Eurovision in 2004, the festival has served...

Boiling Point: Slovenia Will Support Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision Despite Ceasefire

October 15, 2025October 15, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following progress toward ending the Gaza war, the head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, said that the ceasefire does not mean Israel should take part in the competition. In light of the ceasefire and the EBU's announcement that the vote regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 - originally scheduled for November - has been canceled and will instead be held during the pre-scheduled General Assembly on December 4th, the head of the Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO, Natalija Gorščak, notorious for her political stance against Israel, stated that despite the ceasefire, it would be better if Israel did not participate in this year’s competition, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The ceasefire initially gave hope among Israeli Eurovision fans that the threat of expulsion would be lifted and that Israel’s path to Eurovision 2026 would be secured. However, Slovenia has now joined the Netherlands, declaring that the EBU must expel Israel from the competition despite the...

Preparing for 2026: The Big Promises That Never Reached the Eurovision Stage

October 14, 2025October 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What can we expect from a national final for Eurovision 2026? In the first article, we look back at songs from various national finals that were tipped for victory but ultimately failed to meet expectations. Who earned the dubious title of “fan flop”? Article by Ilay Gaist and Adiel Shtainmetz. Every year, with the revival of the Eurovision season, thousands of fans across Europe fall in love with certain songs and hope they will finish high in their national finals and go on to represent their country at Eurovision. In this series, "Preparing for 2026", we will cover irregular scenarios that happened in national finals across the continent. Every year some songs began as major favorites, ultimately failed to deliver and ended much lower than expected. In this article, we look back at those fan-beloved songs that, despite the hype, ended up recording particularly disappointing results. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); KEiiNO - Norway 2021 and 2024: KEiiNO is a Norwegian...

Albania: Contestant List for “Festivali i Këngës 64” Revealed

October 14, 2025October 16, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The contestant list for Albania’s “Festivali i Këngës” has been revealed. The lineup includes many artists who have previously tried their luck at the festival. The Albanian national broadcaster, RTSH, has announced the 28 contestants for the 64th edition of “Festivali i Këngës”, which has served as Albania’s national selection for Eurovision since 2004. The songs are expected to be released for listening in December. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Contestant List: 2 Farm Alis Egzon Pireci Endri Kaçaçi Enxhi Nasufi Erand Sojli Erik Lloshi Evi Reçi Fifi & Tiri Gjoci Frensi Gerta Mahmutaj Ghiti Gresa Gjocera & Bledi Kaso Inis Neziri Kamela Islamaj Kimi Kleansa Susaj Lorenc Hasrama Luna Çausholli Malvina Likaj Rezarta Smaja Rigersa Loka Sara Kapo Savjana Vjerdha Sheila Sihana Haxhnikaj Threex Vedat Ademi (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Among the Contestants - Many Familiar Names: Many of the contestants this year have competed in past editions, with only five exceptions. Alis – Participated last...

Eurovision’s Winning Formula: The Power of the Running Order

October 11, 2025October 12, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Strategic placement, betting predictions, or pure luck? The fourth article in "The Eurovision Formula” series explores how the running order can impact a contestant’s chances of victory. Article by Ilay Gaist and Noy Yehoyada. Every year, with the revival of the Eurovision season, thousands of viewers, fans, and professional jurors attempt to crack the code how to win at Eurovision: What is the secret formula that leads a country to first place? Do audiences tend to favor songs performed early in the show, or do they remember those closing the night? In this fourth installment of “The Eurovision Formula” series, we dive deep into the historic data to explore one of the most significant factors: Does a song’s position in the running order actually affect its final score? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Allocation of Running Order: Luck, Choice, or Planning? Until 2013, performance positions in the Eurovision final were determined randomly by draw. Each participating country drew its position in the performance...

Australia Divided Over Eurovision 2026 – How SBS Responds to the Israel Controversy

October 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will Australia boycott Eurovision 2026? SBS responds to political criticism and chooses to remain neutral regarding Israel’s participation – here are all the details behind the controversy. As Australian politicians call for a strong stance against Israel, the national broadcaster SBS has opted for a different approach – maintaining neutrality. The decision not to take a position on Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 has sparked debate in the local parliament. As accusations and boycott calls spread, SBS insists on continuing business as usual – preserving Australia’s decades-long musical link to Europe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Storm in the Aussie Parliament During a heated parliamentary session, Green Party Senator Mehreen Faruqi criticized the network’s decision: “Israel is set to perform pop songs while it bombs Palestinian children. If Israel participates, will Australia withdraw or provide media coverage?” Acting CEO Jane Palfreyman responded that during such sensitive times, a public broadcaster must remain neutral and refrain from taking political sides. Later in the session, SBS’s head of public...

Will the BBC Turn Its Back on Israel Again? The Dilemma Stirring the United Kingdom

October 10, 2025October 10, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at Eurovision 2026 – yes or no? BBC Director General admits the decision on Israel’s participation is “very complex”. Full details behind the United Kingdom’s stance ahead of the dramatic vote. Between the corridors of the British national broadcaster, the BBC - long accused of anti-Israeli bias - one of the most sensitive decisions is taking shape: How will the United Kingdom vote regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026? Employees, journalists, and managers are demanding a clear answer from Director General Tim Davie, yet he prefers to wait. Will the national broadcaster remain committed to the principle of an apolitical competition, or join the voices calling for Israel’s exclusion - a country that has won the contest four times but now provokes global controversy? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Pressure on Davie from BBC staff and viewers is mounting over whether the broadcaster will support Israel or side with calls to expel Israel’s national broadcaster...

Olly Turned Down Eurovision, and Now Reveals – Does He Regret It?

October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Two months after Olly, winner of Sanremo 2025, gave up representing Italy at Eurovision in Basel, he finally talks about his decision – does he regret walking away? A few months ago, we reported that Olly, who won Italy’s Sanremo Festival with the song “Balorda nostalgia” (“Foolish Nostalgia”), announced that he would forgo the right to represent Italy at Eurovision 2025, which took place in Basel, Switzerland. In his place, runner-up Lucio Corsi represented the country with his song “Volevo essere un duro” (in English: “I Wanted to Be Tough”), bringing Italy to an impressive fifth place. At the time, Olly announced his withdrawal from the opportunity to represent Italy via an Instagram post: “I truly believe that I need to reconnect with everything happening to me right now, before looking further ahead, before continuing with my beloved live performances… That’s why I’ve decided to give up the opportunity to take part in Eurovision”. Now, for the first time since the contest ended, Olly reflects...

Spain: Contestant list for “Benidorm 2026” revealed

October 9, 2025October 29, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Spain’s national broadcaster has unveiled the 18 artists competing in “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that will determine Spain’s entry for Eurovision 2026. Discover the full lineup and event dates. Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE continues preparations for the upcoming “Benidorm Fest 2026”, the show that has chosen Spain’s Eurovision representative since 2022. This year, 870 songs were submitted - down from the record 1,000 entries submitted last year, yet slightly higher than 825 in 2024 and close to the 876 submitted in 2023. A selection committee from RTVE listened to all submissions and chose the best 18 songs for the live festival. Today, the national broadcaster held a press conference revealing the names of the contestants. The participating songs will be officially released on December 18th, 2025. Despite the recent statement by Spain’s board of directors that Spain would withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is allowed to participate, RTVE continues preparations “as usual”. The broadcaster emphasized that the Benidorm...

Klavdia: “I Didn’t Expect 12 Points from Israel After Last Year’s Events”

October 7, 2025October 9, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia, Greece’s representative at Eurovision 2025, shares in an interview her experiences from Basel and the big surprise in the grand final - 12 points from Israel. Why was she surprised? And who made her doubt the score from Israel? Klavdia, Greece’s representative for Eurovision 2025, shared today (Tuesday) in an interview about her experiences during the contest. Among other things, the Greek artist described her emotions during the second semi-final evening, up until she was announced last as a qualifier for the grand final. She also shared her thoughts on the unexpected 12 points from Israel and revealed the figure who made her question that score. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia is shocked: “I was surprised when I saw we got 12 points from Israel”. In an interview with the Greek show "Τσάι με ΛεμόΝ1", Klavdia revealed that when asked about the tense moments during the final — which she concluded in a respectable...