Category: Belgium

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Essyla defends the Israeli entry Noam Bettan and Eurovision 2026 participation, criticizing VRT's stance and comparing the contest to international football tournaments. Reports emerged yesterday (Monday) regarding political tension in Belgium after VRT announced it would broadcast programs critical of Israel prior to the Eurovision broadcasts. The national broadcaster also faced backlash over antisemitic remarks made by a local member of parliament. Now, the internal divide within the country has reached Essyla herself. The singer Essyla, who will represent Belgium in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2026 with the song "Dancing on the Ice", was interviewed by the Flemish national broadcaster and addressed the criticism surrounding Belgian participation in a contest that includes Israel. Essyla will share the first semi-final stage with the Israeli entry, Noam Bettan. She is set to perform as song number 11 - immediately following Bettan (song number 10) and the live performance of the German representative, Sarah Engels, who performs between them as...

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); VRT confirms special broadcasts titled "Why Israel's participation caused a division in Europe" following political controversy involving Gwendolyn Rutten and Essyla. The public broadcasting structure in Belgium, which relies on a fixed annual rotation between the Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF and the Belgian-Flemish national broadcaster VRT, has generated professional and political controversy surrounding this year's coverage. This year, the responsibility for selecting the entry fell to RTBF, which selected the singer Essyla to represent the nation in the first semi-final. In contrast, the Flemish national broadcaster VRT - which is not responsible for the delegation this year but will broadcast the Contest - has chosen an unusually critical editorial line. The network announced that before each broadcast, it will air a special analysis program titled: "Why Israel's participation caused a division in Europe". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Broadcast Provocations When the subject of the Flemish national broadcaster's coverage first arose this year, they announced that...

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgian Eurovision winner Sandra Kim surprised fans at Amsterdam Calling by performing Dana International's "Diva" despite the Netherlands withdrawal and political tensions surrounding the Israeli entry. Last night, the Eurovision pre-party Amsterdam Calling, organized by the official Dutch fan club OGAE Netherlands, took place. While various past stars performed, Sandra Kim garnered significant attention. The singer, who gave Belgium its only victory in 1986, performed covers of several Eurovision classics, including "Waterloo", "Tattoo", and a tribute to the Israeli winner Dana International with her song "Diva". This occurrence is notable given that Israeli artists have largely been absent from pre-parties in recent years due to the ongoing security situation. Furthermore, the performance took place in the capital of the Netherlands, a country whose broadcaster, AVROTROS, withdrew from Eurovision 2026 citing the EBU's inclusion of Israel. This led to speculation among attendees regarding the intent behind the song choice. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Just three days ago, it was announced...

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium’s national broadcaster RTBF announced that beloved Eurovision winner Sandra Kim will return to the contest as the spokesperson delivering Belgium’s jury points at the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF, which operates in the French-speaking region of Belgium, was the first to reveal its spokesperson for the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final. The chosen representative is none other than singer Sandra Kim, the legendary winner of Eurovision 1986, who will announce the Belgian jury’s points in a special tribute marking four decades since her historic victory. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTBF officially confirmed that Kim will serve as the spokesperson presenting the Belgian jury's votes during the live broadcast of the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final. Belgium thus becomes the first country this season to disclose its points presenter. The choice of Kim commemorates the 40th anniversary of the nation’s only Eurovision victory. The singer is widely regarded as a national icon in Belgium and...

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgian singer Loïc Nottet reportedly refused to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s participation, sparking political debate and local protests. A dramatic report shaking the Eurovision community was published moments ago. According to Belgian newspaper DHnet, Belgian Eurovision star Loïc Nottet has decided not to represent Belgium in Eurovision 2026, citing Israel’s participation as the reason. The unusual move has caused a major stir among Eurovision fans and reignited political controversy around the beloved contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Alongside the report, it was revealed that last Saturday around 50 people protested in the Belgian city of Namur. Demonstrators called on the national broadcaster RTBF to boycott and withdraw from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s inclusion. Loïc Nottet Reportedly Withdrew Over Israel As early as last August, Belgian media reported that Loïc Nottet had been selected once again to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026. Nottet is no stranger to the competition – he...

 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium’s national broadcaster RTBF unveiled exclusive footage from Essyla’s Eurovision 2026 rehearsals, revealing four professional dancers and the creative team behind the choreography for the country's entry “Dancing on the Ice”. Preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna are stepping up: Belgium’s French-language national broadcaster, RTBF, has released an official glimpse into the rehearsals of the country’s representative, Essyla. The footage from the studio reveals that the singer will not be performing alone on the grand stage in Austria but will be joined by four professional dancers during her performance of "Dancing on the Ice". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎RTBF‎‏ (@‏‎rtbf‎‏)‎‏ The national broadcaster wrote in a post: "We attended Essyla’s very first rehearsal — we watched the choreography and staging for Eurovision, and we can tell you it's going to be... crazy!" The creative team and dancers The four dancers chosen to accompany Essyla are Max Lukaina, Axel Remezo, Maniquet Julien, and Tom Van...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium at Eurovision 2026: The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF has unveiled the country’s entry for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Essyla will perform “Dancing on the Ice”. Listen to the song. The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster, RTBF, has officially announced that "Dancing on the Ice" is the title of the song to be performed by singer Essyla, who will represent Belgium at Eurovision 2026,set to take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th and 16th. The song was written by Essyla herself, alongside songwriter Barbara Petitjean. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium follows a distinctive Eurovision participation model, under which responsibility for artist selection and representation alternates between the country’s two public national broadcasters – the French-speaking RTBF and the Flemish VRT. Following the 2025 edition managed by VRT, responsibility for 2026 returns to RTBF, in accordance with the established rotation mechanism between the broadcasters. This year’s selection process differed from the previous one. While last year...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Escalation in protest: Workers’ unions at Belgium’s national broadcasters VRT and RTBF launch coordinated action, demanding Belgium’s immediate withdrawal from Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s partcipation. The pressure on European national broadcasters is escalating — and this time, it comes from within. On Tuesday morning, in a joint and dramatic announcement, the workers’ unions of Belgium’s two public national broadcasters, VRT (Flemish) and RTBF (Walloon), officially called for a boycott of Eurovision 2026 in protest of Israel’s participation. This follows our December report on a group of 170 Belgian artists and cultural figures who had issued a strongly worded public letter urging the broadcasters to withdraw from Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel remains a participant. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Mannequins Instead of Workers”: Protest Installation at Headquarters In an unusual act of inter‑union solidarity, members of the ACOD (by VRT) and CGSP (by RTBF) unions took over the shared lobby of the broadcasting headquarters in Brussels earlier today....

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF will unveil its internally selected Eurovision 2026 entry live on February 19th! The Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF, which confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 back in December, has announced today (Thursday) that a special broadcast revealing the country’s internally selected representative and song will air on next Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at 18:20 CET. The information appeared on RTBF’s official website, listed in the programming schedule for “La Une”, the broadcaster’s main channel. However, no formal statement has yet been issued on the matter. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium has displayed a fluctuating stance regarding its participation in the upcoming contest, following boycotts announced by several nations due to Israel’s involvement. Initially, Belgium confirmed its participation shortly after Eurovision 2025 but later reversed course, stating that it was reconsidering its participation. The shift came amid criticism of Israel’s inclusion and calls for the EBU to re-examine the issue. After a democratic decision by the EBU...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Following the Geneva conference: Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster RTBF confirmed participation in Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, while issuing a controversial statement regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip. Belgian-Walloon national broadcaster, RTBF has confirmed that the country will participate in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. Belgium becomes the 33rd country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following following Albania, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Belgium Before the Conference Until now, Belgium’s position appeared very inconsistent. The country confirmed its participation on July 8th but withdrew the statement only few days later. In August, reports even suggested that Belgium had already chosen its representative for Vienna, though the broadcaster quickly denied the rumors even when another familiar name associated with representing Belgium. On September...