The Race to Host Eurovision 2026: ORF to Announce Host City in July!

The Race to Host Eurovision 2026: ORF to Announce Host City in July!

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following Austria's recent Eurovision victory, ORF launches a formal process to select the 2026 host city. Which city will prove itself most suitable for the landmark event? Austria recently celebrated its triumph at Eurovision 2025, but for many, the real festivities are just beginning. Next week, the Austrian national broadcaster, ORF, will formally begin the process of selecting the city to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for May 2026 in Austria. Official letters will be sent to each of the federal state governors, accompanied by a comprehensive 40-page document detailing the application requirements. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The First Stage: Inviting Cities to Submit Their Bids This complex document outlines stringent criteria: suitable venues in terms of size and infrastructure, accessible transport links - including proximity to international airports - and a hotel infrastructure capable of accommodating tens of thousands of visitors. Among the cities already mentioned are well-known...
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Denmark: Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026 to Be Held on February 14th

Denmark: Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026 to Be Held on February 14th

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Denmark at Eurovision 2026: The Danish national broadcaster, DR, announced that the "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2026" will take place on February 14th, confirming Denmark’s participation in Eurovision 2026. The Danish national broadcaster, DR, has officially announced that the "Dansk Melodi Grand Prix," will be held on February 14th, 2026, in the city of Frederikshavn, thereby confirming Denmark’s participation in Eurovision 2026. Erik Struve Hansen, head of the Danish delegation to Eurovision and the national selection, stated: "The aim of the Danish national selection is to unite Danes from all walks of life through music. I am pleased that this means the show remains relevant and is something people from all parts of the country identify with". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The national broadcaster also announced that a week after the local national selection final, on February 21st, the same venue will host a spin-off competition for children aged 8 to 15. However, the broadcaster has already confirmed that...
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Senior Politician Against JJ: “Those Who Boycott Israel Need a History Lesson”

Senior Politician Against JJ: “Those Who Boycott Israel Need a History Lesson”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A storm in Austria: Senior Austrian politician Johanna Mikl-Leitner harshly criticized Eurovision winner JJ, who called for Israel's exclusion from the contest, stating, "Anyone equating Israel with Russia needs an urgent history lesson." A significant controversy has erupted in Austria surrounding Eurovision 2025. The Governor of Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, sharply criticized the statements made by Eurovision winner JJ, who called for Israel's removal from the upcoming contest. According to Mikl-Leitner, a member of the center-right ÖVP party, "Anyone who seeks to boycott Israel and equates it with Russia, without mentioning the Hamas terror attack, urgently needs a history lesson". Her remarks were made in recent days amid a heated public debate about Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Mikl-Leitner, one of Austria's most prominent political figures, made it clear that, in her view, there is no place for Eurovision 2025 without Israel's participation. She emphasized that antisemitism, in any form, will not be tolerated in Europe and called for a...
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Greece Stands with Israel at Eurovision: “Israel Truly Won First Place in the Public Vote”

Greece Stands with Israel at Eurovision: “Israel Truly Won First Place in the Public Vote”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A gesture of support: Greece rebuffs allegations from European sources, including the Spanish national broadcaster, regarding vote-rigging that led to Israel’s win in the public vote at Eurovision. European countries such as Spain and Belgium have questioned the credibility of the public voting results at Eurovision. In contrast, Greece, Israel’s neighbor across the sea, has expressed support for the voting system. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Greek government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, who also holds political authority over the Greek national broadcaster, ERT, dismissed the allegations from various European sources regarding supposed Israeli vote manipulation and stated: “Eurovision is a music competition. Artists and songs participate. The public and the juries vote according to their own criteria. Indeed, the European public placed Israel in first place, in line with how each person chose to vote”. He went on to reaffirm the Greek government’s support for Israel and reminded the public of the reasons behind the outbreak of...
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Klavdia: ” I Hope That One Day Eurovision will Once Again be Purely a Song Contest”

Klavdia: ” I Hope That One Day Eurovision will Once Again be Purely a Song Contest”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It deeply saddens me that the contest has become political": Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, responded to the statement by the new Eurovision winner regarding Israel's participation. How did she react to his remarks? Yesterday (Thursday), Klavdia, Greece's Eurovision 2025 representative, received an award from the Greek national broadcaster ERT and, alongside it, made a sweeping statement against the ongoing politicization of the contest in recent times. When asked about the comments made by JJ, the Eurovision 2025 winner, regarding the exclusion of Israel from the competition, she did not remain indifferent and directly opposed the use of politics in Eurovision. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "The Contest Has Become Political" When Klavdia was asked about JJ's pointed statement - that Israel should be excluded from the contest - she gave a clear and straightforward answer. Klavdia made a firm decision, which she has upheld throughout the competition: “It’s a song contest. It deeply saddens me...
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Eurovision 2025 Winner JJ Backtracks: “My Words About Israel Were Misunderstood”

Eurovision 2025 Winner JJ Backtracks: “My Words About Israel Were Misunderstood”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria at Eurovision 2025: Just after the Eurovision winner harshly criticized Israel’s participation, he backtracks amid backlash, while the Austrian national broadcaster withdraws its support for him. Singer JJ, winner of Eurovision 2025 representing Austria with the song “Wasted Love,” chose to criticize and accuse Israel - the country that received the viewers’ support for the second consecutive year. In a particularly charged interview with the Spanish newspaper “El País”, known for its distinctly anti-Israel columns, the singer did not hold back his strong opinions regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision, sparking a new storm across Europe and among fans of the competition. According to him: “It is very disappointing that Israel is still participating in the contest. I hope next year it will be held in Vienna - and without Israel”. Now, JJ has decided to backtrack after facing harsh reactions. While he does not retract his stance on Israel’s participation in Eurovision, he clarifies: “I am sorry my words were misunderstood. Although...
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Eurovision 2025 Winner: “I Hope Next Year’s Contest Takes Place in Vienna – Without Israel”

Eurovision 2025 Winner: “I Hope Next Year’s Contest Takes Place in Vienna – Without Israel”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria’s Eurovision 2025 winner sparked controversy by calling to ban Israel from the contest. Is this a legitimate stance or just calculated provocation? JJ, Austria’s representative and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Wasted Love”, launched an unexpected attack on Israel, which once again secured the top spot in the public vote. But with JJ himself only placing fourth in that same vote, one must ask: is this a valid critique, or simply the arrogance of an artist unwilling to accept the people's verdict? In an interview with the Spanish newspaper "El País", JJ voiced strong opinions against Israel’s continued participation in the contest, sparking widespread outrage across Europe and among Eurovision fans. “It’s very disappointing that Israel is still taking part in the contest. I hope next year it takes place in Vienna – and without Israel”, He said. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Victory Through Jury Votes – and Immediate Accusations Following...
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Greece Plans a Revolution: Will “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” Return in an Expanded Format?

Greece Plans a Revolution: Will “Ethnikos Telikos 2026” Return in an Expanded Format?

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece at Eurovision 2025: The Greek national broadcaster ERT is considering more than a single final - will Greece revive its 2004 format, and will we soon see a national selection similar to Sweden’s Melodifestivalen? Reports from Greece indicate a strategic shift that could transform the country’s approach to Eurovision. According to local media, the Greek national broadcaster, ERT, is exploring the possibility of expanding the selection process for Greece’s 2026 Eurovision entry. Instead of a single final night as held in 2025, the broadcaster is considering a longer competition, featuring several semi-final shows over multiple weeks. These developments come in the wake of Greece’s surprising success in the most recent contest, where the country finished sixth in the grand final with 231 points. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Aiming for a Lasting Entertainment Brand The main goal behind this move is to turn the selection process into a true entertainment brand - one that...
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Will Luxembourg Remain in Eurovision 2026? The Decision Rests with the Government

Will Luxembourg Remain in Eurovision 2026? The Decision Rests with the Government

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Luxembourg at Eurovision 2025: The government is delaying its decision - has the mediocre result led Luxembourg to consider another withdrawal from Eurovision? Luxembourg, whם only returned to the Eurovision Song Contest last year after a prolonged 31-year absence, now finds itself at another crossroads. The country’s national broadcaster, RTL, has announced that no decision has yet been made regarding Luxembourg’s participation in the 70th edition of the contest, set for 2026. The matter currently hinges on ongoing discussions with the local government. In a statement released by the national broadcaster, it was said: “No decision has yet been made regarding our participation in Eurovision 2026. Talks are currently underway with the Luxembourg government, which funds the project, and a final decision is expected in the coming weeks”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Disappointing Result in Basel: Will It Affect Future Participation? Luxembourg took part in this year’s Eurovision, held in Basel, Switzerland, represented by Laura Thorn with the song “La poupée...
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Basel Reveals Eurovision 2025 Figures: “Fulfilling Our Wildest Dreams”

Basel Reveals Eurovision 2025 Figures: “Fulfilling Our Wildest Dreams”

by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2025 viewership figures revealed: dozens of protests, hundreds of thousands of visitors - this is how the festivities looked in Switzerland. Was this the most successful year in contest history? The city of Basel and the Swiss national broadcaster, SRG SSR, have published a summary of the activities surrounding Eurovision 2025, and the numbers are remarkable: over 500,000 people participated in satellite events and public screenings, around 100,000 visited the main show venues, and 170 million people watched the contest worldwide. Local authorities and the national broadcaster are calling the project a complete success - culturally, in terms of tourism, and for public safety. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “We Fulfilled a Dream - And in a Big Way” The President of the Basel Cantonal Government, Conradin Cramer, proudly presented the figures and said: “These are numbers we could only dream of. Our expectations were fully met. My wildest dreams have come true”. During the week, approximately 100,000 people attended the main...
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