Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

Albania: Arilena Ara and Anxhela Peristeri Expected to Return to “Festivali i Këngës 64”!

September 17, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Albanian national broadcaster RTSH announced upgrades to the traditional Festivali i Këngës, Albania’s Eurovision pre-selection. New contestant names include former representatives Arilena Ara and Anxhela Peristeri. Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH is in the midst of preparations for the 64th edition of Festivali i Këngës. The traditional festival, which began in 1961, became Albania’s official national final for Eurovision since 2004, the year the country joined the competition. Now, notable names are emerging as likely contestants in the competition to represent Albania at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to Elaheida Dani, the festival’s artistic director, the winner will once again be selected by a combination of jury votes and audience votes. However, for the first time, the public will also be able to vote through a dedicated mobile application, introducing greater efficiency and accessibility. In addition, the production of the festival is being elevated to unprecedented levels, featuring a larger, more impressive stage...

Sweden: These Are the Cities Hosting Melodifestivalen 2026

September 17, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Swedish national broadcaster SVT revealed the six cities that will host Melodifestivalen 2026. The Swedish national broadcaster SVT is already deep in preparations for Melodifestivalen 2026, which will determine Sweden’s representative and song for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The Melodifestivalen has been held annually since 1959 and has brought Sweden seven Eurovision victories. A record number of 3,888 songs were submitted for the competition - but the question remains: where will it take place? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Melodifestivalen ✨‎‏ (@‏‎melodifestivalen‎‏)‎‏ The first heat will be staged in Linköping, in southern Sweden, the capital of the Östergötland County. The second heat will be held in Göteborg, Sweden’s second-largest city, which also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1985. Göteborg is the largest city in western Sweden and the fifth-largest in Scandinavia. The third heat will be held in Kristianstad, located on the opposite side of the Skåne region, which will be hosting three consecutive...

Greece: New Details Revealed About “Ethnikos Telikos 2026”!

September 17, 2025September 17, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece is gearing up for "Ethnikos Telikos 2026" with full force - and this year, major changes are on the way! Here are all the details about the process that will determine Greece’s entry for Eurovision 2026. The Greek national broadcaster ERT has unveiled today (Wednesday) significant details regarding this year’s "Ethnikos Telikos", through which the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, will be chosen. What changes are coming to the Greek national selection this year? And what will occur for the first time in the history of the Greek selection process? Find all the critical facts here. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Expanded Format: Major Changes in the Greek National Selection Last year’s "Ethnikos Telikos" was a massive success within Greece and beyond, with the January 30th, 2025 broadcast achieving the highest TV ratings in Greece for 15 years. The contest’s winner, Klavdia, brought Greece an impressive sixth place at Eurovision 2025,...

No Longer Taken for Granted: More Countries Clarify – We Will Not Boycott Israel at Eurovision

September 17, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The debate over Israel’s Eurovision participation intensifies. While some push for boycotts, Malta and Australia confirmed they will compete in Eurovision 2026 regardless of Israel’s inclusion. The debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026 continues to draw in more and more countries across Europe, and now even beyond. Malta and Australia both released official statements yesterday (Tuesday) regarding their planned participation in this year’s Eurovision. Following the controversy sparked by Spain, which declared it would withdraw if Israel is not excluded, the positions emerging from Malta and Australia bring a refreshing and significant counterpoint. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Malta: "Eurovision is a Place for Dialogue" Malta’s Minister of Culture, Owen Bonnici, told the "Times of Malta" that his country will not join calls to boycott Israel. According to him, the contest should encourage a “culture of dialogue” and serve as a space for understanding and attentive listening between nations. Bonnici clarified: “I completely condemn the actions of the Israeli government, but...

EBU First Respond: Did It Offer Israel to Compete Under a Neutral Flag at Eurovision 2026?

September 15, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); For the first time since the rumor spread that the EBU suggested Israel participate with a neutral flag or withdraw, the organization now officially responds to the reports. Last week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands announced they would officially boycott Eurovision as long as Israel remains a participant. Iceland and Spain hinted that they might also consider withdrawal if Israel participates. Yesterday, reports surfaced from unofficial sources that the EBU allegedly offered Israel a temporary withdrawal or to perform under a neutral flag. KAN has not confirmed these reports. Ynet reporter Ran Boker revealed that European sources close to the contest suggested these two options to Israel to prevent what they described as a “humiliating disqualification” from Eurovision 2026. According to the report, the “neutral” flag referenced could be the KAN logo, which broadcasters deemed acceptable compared to the Israeli national flag and government policies. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Is the EBU’s Position?...

Serbia: Song Submission Window for “Pesma Za Euroviziju 26” Opens

September 15, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Serbian national broadcaster RTS has officially opened the song submission window for "Pesma za Evroviziju," the national selection for Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. The Serbian national broadcaster RTS officially opened today (Monday) the submission window for its traditional local Eurovision national final, "Pesma Za Evroviziju", which has accompanied the country since 2022. The submission period is now open and will close on November 10th. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTS announced that the songs competing for the right to represent Serbia at Eurovision 2026 will be chosen by a judging panel. However, if the panel determines that the submitted entries do not meet the required musical standard to represent Serbia at Eurovision, the representative will be chosen through an internal selection. Serbia’s Eurovision Record: Success and Consistency Serbia joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 and has only missed the competition twice, in 2010 and 2014. At its debut in...

Following Public Pressure: Could North Macedonia Make a Eurovision Comeback?

September 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A wave of public appeals reignites the question: will North Macedonia return to Eurovision? Senior officials confirm the matter is back on the table. The debates surrounding which countries will participate in Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria, continue to evolve. Alongside several countries considering withdrawing from the competition, the Content Council of North Macedonia’s national broadcaster discussed proposals last month submitted by viewers, including an explicit request for renewed participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In recent days, Council member Ivan Efremovski confirmed that the issue is increasingly raised by citizens: “The return of North Macedonia to Eurovision is a request made by citizens who approached us. They argue it provides essential exposure for the country and for local musicians, and that it’s an event with high ratings. For that reason, a broad public discussion should be opened”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision Connections Are Still Alive North Macedonia’s most recent appearance at Eurovision took place in Turin, Italy, in...

Will Israel Compete in Eurovision Under a Neutral Flag?

September 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Israeli national broadcaster KAN, representing Israel in the EBU and Eurovision, has not confirmed reports of being offered to compete in Eurovision 2026 under a neutral flag amid boycott threats. The board's chairman of the Icelandic national broadcaster, Stefán Jón Hafstein, recently declared that the broadcaster intends to use the new EBU withdrawal deadline and postpone a final decision about participation until December 2026, when it will be clear if Israel is allowed to compete at Eurovision. Despite Iceland's own reservations regarding Israeli participation, Jón Hafstein revealed that several countries have demanded Israel's representation at Eurovision 2026. In the past week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands officially declared they would boycott Eurovision as long as Israel continues to participate as usual. In addition to these three nations, Iceland and Spain have hinted that they may withdraw from the contest as well, if Israel competes. Reports suggest that, in response, the EBU has informally proposed two options to Israel:...

Albania: New Details Revealed About “Festivali i Këngës 64”

September 14, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Albanian national broadcaster RTSH has revealed exciting updates and changes for "Festivali i Këngës 64", the traditional festival that serves as Albania’s national final. Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH is in the midst of preparations for the 64th edition of Festivali i Këngës. The traditional festival, which began in 1961, became Albania’s official national final for Eurovision since 2004, the year the country joined the competition. Now, the national broadcaster is unveiling new details designed to enhance and modernize the festival. Despite these format changes, Albania has consistently maintained a distinctive identity in the competition, annually showcasing songs that highlight the country’s cultural style, heritage, and language. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In July, RTSH announced that beloved Albanian singer Elhaida Dani, who represented Albania at Eurovision 2015 in Vienna, Austria with the song "I'm Alive" and placed 17th in the final, would continue to serve as the artistic director of the festival. Furthermore, in...

Will Denmark Join the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026?

September 13, 2025September 13, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid threats by Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, other countries release statements. What is the position of Danish national broadcaster DR? In the past week, several countries announced they would not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the competition. Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands declared they will withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel compete, while Iceland and Spain hinted they may join the boycott. Despite having already confirmed its Eurovision 2026 participation, Denmark’s national broadcaster DR issued a new statement in light of recent developments. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A few months ago, DR confirmed its participation by officially announcing that Dansk Melodi Grand Prix would take place on February 14th, 2026. Now, Gustav Lützhøft, Editor-in-Chief at the Danish public broadcasting corporation, released a fresh statement regarding the issue: “Every country must decide for itself what is right […] DR is closely monitoring the situation and...