“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

“Every Arena Is Important”: President Herzog Responds to Calls to Exclude Israel from Eurovision

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Amid European boycott threats, Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed delegitimization efforts against Israel at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and independent public broadcaster. Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke in an interview on the radio program “Kalman Liberman” on Kan Reshet Bet about the importance of public broadcasting and Israel’s future at Eurovision. His remarks come against the backdrop of calls to exclude Israel from Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. Eurovision: More Than Just a Musical Stage Regarding the wave of calls to boycott Israel at Eurovision, Herzog said: “I have seen dangerous processes that start at Eurovision and end elsewhere. The delegitimization of Israel and attempts to exclude us from every possible arena - these are moves intended to weaken us. It starts with Eurovision but extends to things that are vital to us. Every arena is important”. He noted in the interview that the public broadcaster KAN is doing its utmost to keep Israel...
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He’s Back: Cesár Sampson Will Help Select Austria’s Entry for Eurovision 2026

He’s Back: Cesár Sampson Will Help Select Austria’s Entry for Eurovision 2026

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson joins the team selecting participants for the 2026 Austrian national selection. what kind of songs is he looking for? Austria is preparing to host Eurovision 2026 in Vienna: the Austrian national broadcaster ORF will hold, for the first time in a decade, an open national final to determine the country’s entry for the contest. The broadcaster has enlisted Cesár Sampson to assist with the complex mission of finding participants for “Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich” (in English: Vienna Calling – Who Will Sing for Austria?), from which one act will earn the honor of representing Austria on home soil in Vienna. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Cesár Sampson Will Choose Austria’s National Selection Participants Cesár Sampson, who represented Austria in Eurovision 2018 and secured third place with "Nobody But You", revealed in an interview with Austrian station Ö3 that he will help select the songs competing for the right to represent...
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Emmelie De Forest and Jørgen Olsen Call for Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision

Emmelie De Forest and Jørgen Olsen Call for Israel’s Expulsion from Eurovision

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026: Emmelie De Forest and Jørgen Olsen from Denmark demand Israel’s removal, calling its participation “the destruction of Eurovision”. But is Israel the real issue - or is politicization itself endangering the contest’s future? In recent days, two Danish Eurovision winners have issued dramatic statements: they argue that Israel should not be allowed to participate, even describing its involvement as “the destruction of the contest”. Is Israel’s participation truly undermining Eurovision - or is the broader trend of turning the musical stage into a political battleground the real threat to the competition’s foundations? These questions are sparking debate not only among Eurovision fans but also within Israel, where many feel once again compelled to defend their place in the international cultural arena. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Danish Singers vs. Israel Emmelie de Forest, the Eurovision 2013 winner with her chart-topping hit "Only Teardrops", and Jørgen Olsen, half of the Olsen Brothers who triumphed...
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What Is the BBC’s Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

What Is the BBC’s Position on Israel’s Participation in Eurovision 2026?

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Amid announcements by several European countries threatening to boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates, BBC Director-General shared his stance before the UK Parliament. Will the United Kingdom join the boycott against Israel? In the past week, several European countries announced that they will not participate in Eurovision 2026 if Israel remains in the competition. Slovenia, Ireland, and the Netherlands declared their withdrawal under such circumstances, while Iceland and Spain hinted they may also join the boycott. The Director-General of the British national broadcaster BBC, Tim Davie, addressed the issue during a session of the UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will the United Kingdom Join the Boycott? During the session, Davie stated that the BBC is aware of concerns surrounding Israel’s participation in Eurovision but emphasized that they are working with the EBU on the matter: "Eurovision has never been about politics, it should be a celebration of music and culture that...
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Will Finland Join the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026?

Will Finland Join the Boycott of Israel at Eurovision 2026?

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Debate over Finland’s participation in Eurovision 2026 intensifies after several European countries announced a boycott if Israel competes. What is the position of Finland’s national broadcaster YLE on the matter? 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. Although Finland had already confirmed its participation, the Finnish national broadcaster YLE has now issued a statement following these latest developments. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Will Finland Compete Alongside Israel? Johanna Törn-Mangs, Editor-in-Chief of YLE’s Culture Department, explained in an interview that a final decision on Finland’s participation will be made by mid-December. "YLE is an independent and neutral body. We are not engaged in politics at the state level. However, this of course does not mean we accept...
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Ukraine: German Nenov Is The New Artistic Director for Vidbir 2026

Ukraine: German Nenov Is The New Artistic Director for Vidbir 2026

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne published on Instagram that German Nenov will be the new artistic director of "Vidbir 2026". What experience does he bring with him to the Ukrainian national final? Ukraine is preparing for Eurovision 2026: the national broadcaster Suspilne confirmed that German Nenov will return as the artistic director of "Vidbir 2026". The announcement was made via Suspilne’s official Instagram account, where his extensive experience in television, music, and Eurovision productions was emphasized.   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Євробачення Україна‎‏ (@‏‎suspilne.eurovision‎‏)‎‏ A Familiar Name in the Eurovision World Nenov, a well-known Ukrainian director based in Kyiv, has an impressive portfolio in both television productions and music videos. Eurovision fans already know his work: he served as Ukraine’s artistic director at Eurovision 2023, when the duo Tvorchi represented the country with “Heart of Steel”. He also directed Ukraine’s stagings at Junior Eurovision in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, he was responsible for the staging of Luxembourg’s...
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Montenegro: Song Submission Window for National Selection “Montesong” Opens

Montenegro: Song Submission Window for National Selection “Montesong” Opens

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Montenegro’s national broadcaster RTCG has opened submissions for "Montesong", the national selection that will determine the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG officially opened today (Wednesday) the song submission window for "Montesong", Montenegro’s national selection for Eurovision. This marks the second consecutive year that Montenegro will choose its representative through this festival. A day after confirming its participation in the upcoming contest, the national broadcaster published the full set of rules for the second edition of "Montesong". The final date for "Montesong 2025" has not yet been revealed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Rules for "Montesong 2025": RTCG revealed the regulations for the second edition of the contest, which will serve as the country’s pre-selection for Eurovision 2026: All songs must comply with the general Eurovision rules. Songs must not be published or performed before September 1st, 2025. Competing performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship. Songwriters may be of any nationality. Each songwriter can...
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Belgium Invites Hadise To Represent The Country in Eurovision Every Year!

Belgium Invites Hadise To Represent The Country in Eurovision Every Year!

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Turkish-Belgian Eurovision singer Hadise revealed that Belgium approaches her annually with an invitation to represent the country at Eurovision. Despite the ongoing offers, she admits to feeling conflicted about accepting. The Belgian-born Turkish singer Hadise, who represented Turkey at Eurovision 2009 with the song “Düm Tek Tek”, revealed that Belgium invites her every year to represent the country at Eurovision. The star admitted that although the offers keep coming, she has mixed feelings about performing for Belgium at the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In an interview with Turkish journalist Fatih Altaylı, he praised the idea, saying: “A Turkish girl representing Belgium – that would be great”. Hadise, however, reminded him that after she represented Turkey in 2009, many Belgians opposed her as a candidate. She explained that this hesitation makes her cautious about how Turkish fans might react if she were to return to Eurovision under the Belgian flag. Altaylı countered, arguing that since Turkey no longer competes in the contest,...
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Ziferblat Are Still Paying Debts for Eurovision 2025 Participation

Ziferblat Are Still Paying Debts for Eurovision 2025 Participation

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ziferblat face extensive costs for representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2025; details on the band’s financial burden and ongoing payments revealed. Members of Ziferblat, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2025, recently revealed the enormous expenses needed to take the stage in Basel. These costs included costumes, staging, technical support, logistics, promotion, and production arrangements. The total sum, approximately $120,000 (approximately €102,700), remains a considerable financial burden for the band months after the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Costs Covered by the Band According to band members, part of the amount was offset by crowdfunding and local sponsors, but the bulk was paid directly from their own pockets. The group’s guitarist, Valentin Leshchinsky, admitted in an interview that they are still paying off the debts from their Eurovision 2025 participation: “We still have an outstanding amount for Eurovision. We’re still repaying it, but it isn’t critical”. He said. Between Dreams and Expenses The story of Ziferblat joins other Ukrainian and international artists who have testified about the high...
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History: Jamala Received an Honorary Award From The President of Ukraine

History: Jamala Received an Honorary Award From The President of Ukraine

by Neta Geffen Comment Closed
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jamala, winner of Eurovision 2016, received the "Order of Princess Olga" from President Volodymyr Zelensky during Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kiev. The award highlights her contribution amid the ongoing war. The Ukrainian singer Jamala, winner of Eurovision 2016, was among those honored by President Volodymyr Zelensky at Ukraine’s Independence Day ceremonies held yesterday in Sofia Square, central Kiev. The artist was awarded the "Order of Princess Olga", Third Class - a distinction given to women in Ukraine for personal achievements in public, industrial, social, scientific, educational, cultural, and other fields. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Joy Mixed With Sorrow "It was wonderful and unexpected to receive an award on Independence Day. It is a mixture of joy and sorrow at the same time, because among those honored are women receiving this award posthumously". The singer wrote on social media: "We live in a reality where every day carries a heavy price that continues to grow, because every day we lose our people. We must thank...
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