Ofek Jerassi, Author at EuroMix

The Reference Group Expands: Who Are the New Members Steering Eurovision?

July 30, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Tomislav Štengl from Croatia and David Tserunyan from Armenia are joining the Eurovision Reference Group ahead of Eurovision 2026. Who are the new members? Two new members have joined the Eurovision Reference Group in advance of Eurovision 2026: Tomislav Štengl from Croatia and David Tserunyan from Armenia. Their appointment signals a strengthening of the body overseeing the world’s biggest song contest, with broader and more professional representation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); What Is the Reference Group? The Reference Group is Eurovision’s engine room—a body that supervises, sets strategy, and makes high-level decisions regarding the contest. Its duties include supervising production, selecting and approving the host city, updating rules, managing crises, overseeing the budget, and ensuring cultural diversity, fairness, and transparency in voting. With no official policy change announced by the European Broadcasting Union, all eyes are on the actions of the Reference Group’s members—and how they may influence Israel’s position at Eurovision 2026. Tomislav Štengl: A Journey from Croatia to the Heart of...

San Marino: Eurovision 2026 Participation Still Uncertain!

July 27, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After criticizing the European Broadcasting Union and Eurovision's voting system, San Marino’s participation in Eurovision 2026 remains unconfirmed. Is another country about to withdraw from the contest? San Marino finished last in the grand final of the most recent Eurovision with the song "Tutta L'italia" ("All of Italy"), performed by Gabry Ponte. Following this result, the country expressed strong reservations about Eurovision’s current voting system, and—unlike some other countries—was also openly critical of the jury voting process. Now, Roberto Sergio, CEO of the national broadcaster of San Marino, has revealed new information regarding the microstate’s possible participation in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); At a press conference held to mark the opening of a new studio for San Marino’s national broadcaster, Sergio stated that last year’s San Marino pre-selection show, the “San Marino Song Contest,” was a tremendous success and helped raise San Marino’s profile internationally. Nevertheless, the country, alongside several other smaller nations, has raised concerns about both the jury...

Greece: Preparations for the Greek National Final Kick Off Next Week!

July 25, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greece officially launches its preparations for Eurovision 2026, with an announcement expected next week regarding its national selection show, as well as the opening of the application window! Greece has officially begun preparations for Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will mark the 70th edition of the world’s most popular music event. The Greek national broadcaster, ERT, is expected to announce its national selection show next week and simultaneously open the submission period for entries. Along with the announcement, details regarding the rules and format of the selection process are anticipated—potentially including information on any planned expansions to the show. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to the Greek Eurovision site Eurovisionfun, Greece has invested significant effort in the selection process in recent weeks, particularly on the bureaucratic and organizational fronts. Now, the format is ready to be presented to the public. Sources at ERT emphasize that the primary goal is a reliable, high-quality and transparent...

Not This Time Either: Slovakia Will Not Participate in Eurovision 2026!

July 23, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Slovak national broadcaster STVR has confirmed that Slovakia will not participate in Eurovision 2026—however, it leaves the door open for a possible return in the future and expresses optimism. Following earlier reports that Slovakia was reconsidering the possibility of returning to Eurovision, the national broadcaster has now confirmed that this will not happen at Eurovision 2026; however, the door remains open for future participation, as previously reported. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Slovak national broadcaster has officially confirmed Slovakia’s absence from Eurovision 2026 in response to an inquiry by an Israeli Eurovision fan. According to the broadcaster: "Slovak participation in Eurovision is considered annually. However, due to the absence of a stable management at STVR and the current financial situation of the Slovak public national broadcaster, it was decided at a very early stage that participation is not feasible (under the present conditions)." The broadcaster, however, has not ruled out future participation entirely. As previously stated by Filip Púchovský, a...

Ireland at Eurovision: “We Still Haven’t Received the Televote Results”

July 19, 2025July 19, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ireland, a well-known opponent of Israel in the competition, is once again raising its voice, stating that it has not yet received the full televote results from the contest. The Irish national broadcaster, RTE, has stated that it has not received the complete televote results from the European Broadcasting Union and has cast doubt on the conduct of the union. It should be noted that Ireland gave Israel 10 points in the televote and, unlike many other countries, also ranked Israel fourth in the jury vote—granting 7 points. This amounts to a total of 17 points, placing Ireland as one of Israel's main supporters in the contest, alongside Azerbaijan, France, and the Netherlands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Analyzing Ireland’s Support for Israel in Eurovision Voting Over the years, I have observed the Eurovision Song Contest closely and noticed the influence of social and political trends on voting results. Most countries that awarded Israel 12 points have strong and influential...

A Different Opera? Melani Garcia Dreams of Representing Spain at Eurovision!

July 17, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Opera singer Melani Garcia, who previously competed in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and finished in third place, now aspires to represent Spain at Eurovision 2026—and perhaps capture the win this time. Melani Garcia, who rose to fame as a child in Spain and represented her nation at the 2019 Junior Eurovision in Poland (securing third place), is now making headlines once again. Garcia has boldly announced her intention to compete in Spain’s national selection for Eurovision, the Benidorm Fest, with the hope of earning the chance to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Melani Garcia’s Ambition: From Junior Eurovision to Spain’s Main Stage Garcia, who was considered a favorite to win Junior Eurovision 2019 but ultimately finished third, shared her renewed Eurovision aspirations during an interview following her win on “Tu Cara Me Suena” (the Spanish edition of "Your Face Sounds Familiar"). She emphasized her lifelong...

Austria: Vienna Honors the Eurovision Winner – And Recruits Him to the Race to Host the Contest!

July 16, 2025July 16, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Austria at Eurovision 2025: JJ, the recent winner of the Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland, has been awarded a prestigious prize by his hometown, Vienna. The city, in turn, is seizing the opportunity to promote its candidacy to host Eurovision 2026. Austrian singer JJ, who won Eurovision 2025 representing Austria with his song "Wasted Love", and who has recently stirred public debate in Austria due to his comments regarding Israel’s participation in the contest, is now receiving strong support from the city of Vienna. As part of its bid to host Eurovision 2026, the city awarded him the esteemed "Golden Rathausmann Award" (Rathausmann being the symbolic statue located atop Vienna’s City Hall). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); JJ Wins a Prestigious Prize! JJ was honored in a special ceremony attended by Mayor Michael Ludwig, who praised the artist’s musical achievements. JJ, a Vienna native and student at the Private University of Music and Performing Arts...

Germany Responds for the First Time to the Eurovision Controversy: Standing with Israel?

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany has issued its first official response to the ongoing debate about Israel’s potential exclusion from Eurovision 2026: “Israel complies with the rules of the competition, and we support its participation.” Is a joint withdrawal by Germany and Italy from the contest on the horizon? A new storm is shaking the Eurovision world: In recent days, rumors have circulated that the German national broadcaster (SWR) is threatening to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 if Israel is excluded from the competition. Now, for the first time, an official and unequivocal response has come from Germany—leaving no room for doubt: Israel complies with the competition’s rules, and any attempt to exclude it is unacceptable to the Germans. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Germany Sets a Red Line: “Eurovision is a Bridge, Not a Wall” The spokesperson of the German national broadcaster SWR emphasized in an official statement to Yahoo News: “The Eurovision Song Contest is a celebration that...

Will Norway Escape the Bottom? National Broadcaster Opens Song Submissions for Melodi Grand Prix 2026!

June 20, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Norway in Eurovision: The Norwegian national broadcaster NRK, which confirmed last night its participation in Eurovision 2026, has officially opened the song submission window for its national selection, Melodi Grand Prix. Norway has confirmed its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, set to take place in Austria. The national broadcaster announced the opening of the submission window for Melodi Grand Prix 2026—the national selection that will determine Norway’s representative for Eurovision 2026 in Austria. Submissions are open from today until September 1, 2025, with an emphasis on originality, quality, and uniqueness—qualities that could captivate audiences across Europe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The decision to open submissions earlier than usual, along with statements from Tarjei Strøm, the musical director of MGP, highlight a shift in strategy: Norway is aiming not just to participate, but to win Eurovision this year. stressed that the goal is to find a unique song that will be remembered and become a hit that people...

Will She Win Eurovision? Klavdia, Greece’s Representative, Aims to Return—and Take the Trophy!

June 15, 2025 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As Greece begins its preparations for Eurovision 2026, the country’s 2025 representative in Basel, Klavdia, has announced her ambition to return to Eurovision in two or three years—with the clear goal of winning it all! Greece has officially launched its preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will mark the 70th edition of the world’s most popular musical event. Amid these preparations, singer Klavdia, who represented the country at Eurovision 2025, appeared on the Greek morning show "Smile Again" and spoke about the powerful experience she had in Switzerland. According to her, the connection with the audience and the sense of camaraderie outweighed her final ranking, and she is already dreaming of returning to the competition—this time, to win. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Klavdia Reflects on Her Eurovision Experience and the Power of Audience Support Klavdia emphasized that, for her, participating in Eurovision 2025 was not measured solely by points or placement, but by the...