Contestants of Sanremo Festival to Be Revealed on December 7th

Contestants of Sanremo Festival to Be Revealed on December 7th

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italy’s national broadcaster RAI announced today that the contestants of Festival Di Sanremo 2026, will be revealed on December 7th by artistic director and host Carlo Conti. Italy’s national broadcaster RAI announced today that the list of participants in the 76th edition of the Italian Eurovision pre-selection, Sanremo Festival 2026, will be revealed on December 7th by the festival’s artistic director and host, Carlo Conti. The festival will take place between February 24th–28th, featuring 24 artists. The winner will earn the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision 2026. Should the winner refuse, the national broadcaster will select another contestant from Sanremo’s lineup to represent the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Although the official lineup for Sanremo has not yet been released, recent leaks suggest that several past representatives of Italy may return. According to reports in the Italian music industry, the most frequently mentioned names are: Angelina Mango – winner of Sanremo 2024, who...
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Kaja Kallas, Senior EU Official Stands by Israel: “Boycotting Eurovision Is the Wrong Step”

Kaja Kallas, Senior EU Official Stands by Israel: “Boycotting Eurovision Is the Wrong Step”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); While some European countries threaten to boycott Eurovision, Kaja Kallas, a senior EU official, expresses clear support for Israel, stressing that a boycott is a mistake. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Kaja Kallas, addressed this week the statements made by Slovenia, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Spain and clarified that measures such as boycotting Eurovision 2026 to protest Israel’s military actions in Gaza are a mistake that will not achieve their intended purpose. "All these measures, which in practice aim to punish the people of Israel, in my view are misguided, and we do not support them". She said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite her statement, the European Union has introduced a series of measures against Israel, including sanctions on what it described as "extremist ministers in the government", notably Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, as well as the revocation of customs benefits for Israeli products. In her remarks, Kallas emphasized that the goal is to...
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Committed to Music Despite Boycott Threats: France Confirms Participation in 2026

Committed to Music Despite Boycott Threats: France Confirms Participation in 2026

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Despite ongoing calls for boycotts, France’s national broadcaster France Télévisions officially confirms participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The selecting process of France’s entry is yet to be revealed. France’s national broadcaster France Télévisions has confirmed that the country will participate in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. France becomes the 25th country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On the official Instagram account of France Télévisions, the broadcaster announced today (Wednesday) its official entry into the contest: "France Télévisions is pleased to confirm its particiation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 on May 16th in Vienna, alongside fellow public service media members of the EBU. The group reaffirms its support for musical creation, to artists, and for this unique event".   הצגת פוסט זה...
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Albania: Arilena Ara and Anxhela Peristeri Expected to Return to “Festivali i Këngës 64”!

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

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...
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Sweden: These Are the Cities Hosting Melodifestivalen 2026

Sweden: These Are the Cities Hosting Melodifestivalen 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...
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