Ilay Gaist, Author at EuroMix

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...

Sweden: 3,888 Songs Submitted to Melodifestivalen 2026

September 13, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sweden’s national broadcaster SVT announced a record 3,888 songs were submitted for Melodifestivalen 2026, which will select the country’s entry to Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Following another successful year at Eurovision 2025 - where Sweden finished in fourth place in Basel, Switzerland, thanks to KAJ with the song “Bara bada bastu” (in English: “Just Sauna”) - SVT is already deep in preparations for Melodifestivalen 2026. This competition will determine Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Vienna, Austria. Melodifestivalen has been held since 1959 and has produced seven Eurovision winners for Sweden, including the legendary band ABBA and Loreen, who made history by becoming the second artist ever to win Eurovision twice, in 2012 and 2023. With submissions now closed, SVT revealed that 3,888 songs were received for Melodifestivalen 2026, from which Sweden’s representative for Eurovision 2026 will be chosen. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Record Submissions and Process The submission window for next year’s competition has officially closed, with SVT registering...

Poland: First Respond to the Debate on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026

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

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision has never been louder or more turbulent. Several countries have already threatened to withdraw from the contest, and now - Poland’s national broadcaster responds for the first time! As reported on Euromix, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands officially announced last week they would boycott Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel remains a participant. Alongside them, Iceland and Spain hinted they might also withdraw under the same condition. Now, Poland’s national broadcaster TVP, has joined the heated discussion with its first official and somewhat evasive statement. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Did Poland Say? The Polish website Pudelek contacted TVP to ask whether Poland would participate in Eurovision 2026. In its official reply, TVP stated that no decision had yet been made regarding Poland’s participation but stressed that the public channel is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the contest. TVP underlined that, as a member of the EBU, it maintains...

Norway: Will Not Boycott Eurovision 2026 If Israel Is Allowed to Participate

September 12, 2025September 13, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In recent days, three countries officially announced their withdrawal from the contest as long as Israel participates. Now, Norway declares it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 even if Israel takes part. In the past week, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands officially declared that they will boycott Eurovision as long as Israel continues to participate. In addition to these three, Iceland and Spain have hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the contest under the same conditions. Surprisingly, today (Friday), Norway, often perceived as anti-Israel, announced that it will not boycott Eurovision 2026 even if Israel remains in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As stated, Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands all issued official statements pledging their withdrawal so long as Israel competes during the ongoing war in Gaza. The rising trend of countries threatening to leave the contest over Israel’s participation has alarmed many fans, and with good reason. Within just days, three national broadcasters loudly opposed Israel’s presence, conditioning their own participation on Israel’s...

Belgium: Decision on Eurovision 2026 Participation to Be Made in December

September 12, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF confirmed it will decide in December on its Eurovision 2026 participation, following the vote on Israel’s eligibility. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF, responsible this year for selecting Belgium’s Eurovision act, announced it will formally decide in December whether to participate in Eurovision 2026, following the vote on Israel’s eligibility. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Israel at the Center: Will Belgium Withdraw? For now, the Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster aligns itself with Spain and Iceland, though not as firmly as Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. The broadcaster is postponing its official decision on participation until after December’s discussion. In contrast, the Belgian-Flemish national broadcaster VRT, which selected last year’s Belgian act, has already declared its support for Ireland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. In a statement, the channel even threatened to boycott the broadcast of this year’s contest if “The message issued by the European Broadcasting Union is not strong enough”. VRT is regarded as one of the most anti-Israeli broadcasters...

Drama: The List of Countries Withdrawing from Eurovision Grows Due to Israel

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS has officially declared that it will not participate in Eurovision as long as Israel takes part. At the peak of ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2026, the Dutch national broadcaster AVROTROS issued an unusual announcement today (Friday), stating: "We can no longer justify Israel’s participation in Eurovision due to the ongoing situation in Gaza". AVROTROS is the third national broadcaster, following those of Slovenia and Ireland, to officially announce that it will withdraw from the contest as long as Israel continues to participate. Alongside the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia, both Iceland and Spain have hinted at the possibility of withdrawing from the competition if Israel remains involved, though they have yet to issue official statements. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Worrying Trend As mentioned, the Netherlands is already the third country in recent days to officially declare that it will withdraw from the contest as long as Israel participates. Why is...

Countries’ Status So Far: Where Does Every Country Stands for Eurovision 2026?

September 12, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026, which will be held in Vienna, Austria’s capital, already provides plenty of drama – with countries threatening to withdraw if Israel participates, while some have already confirmed their presence. We’re here to clarify who supports Israel and who opposes its participation. Ahead of the grand final in Vienna this May, Eurovision 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged seasons yet. This year’s drama begins earlier than usual, with a wave of countries threatening to withdraw if Israel participates. On the other hand, several European nations defend Israel within the EBU and even threatened to withdraw if Israel itself were excluded. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What do we know so far? Who stands with Israel, and who stands against it? Albania – Confirmed, Neutral – Albania has confirmed its participation without addressing Israel’s status. Friendly diplomatic relations suggest it will not oppose Israel’s entry. Albania might withdraw due to RTSH's financial hurdles. Andorra -...