News Archives - Page 2 of 242

Ukraine’s Leléka Opens Up: “I have no place to live”

May 29, 2026May 29, 2026 by Tal Dahan Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukrainian Eurovision representative Viktoria Leléka opens her heart in a deeply personal interview. The singer speaks candidly about her second divorce, her housing instability, and why she cannot return to her childhood home. Ukraine’s Eurovision 2026 representative, Viktoria Leléka - known to fans simply as Leléka - has opened up about a severe personal crisis. In a raw and emotional interview, the singer revealed that she is currently going through a divorce from her second husband. According to Leléka, the painful breakdown of her marriage coincided exactly with the launch of Vidbir, Ukraine's national selection for Eurovision. While she officially moved to Berlin for her studies, she does not own any property or have a permanent home there. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "I don't understand where I'm supposed to live" For six months during her Eurovision preparations, Leléka lived in Kyiv in a small apartment belonging to a close friend, who kindly let her...

Eurovision 2027: SWR Aims for Musical Diversity in the National Final

May 28, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); German Head of Delegation Tina Sikorski outlines plans for Eurovision 2027, focusing on diverse music genres and stronger national Final acts Almost two weeks have passed since the Eurovision 2026 grand final took place in Vienna, Austria, and Germany is already looking ahead to next year. Following the disappointing result of the country's performer, Sarah Engels, the German Head of Delegation, Tina Sikorski, has reacted for the first time to the placement and shared the initial preparations for the upcoming edition, where the explicit objective is achieving a better result in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Preparations for 2027 - The Ambition for a Higher Placement In a post published on LinkedIn, Sikorski wrote: “Eurovision 2026 - what a crazy journey it has been! Thank you, Sarah, for a fantastic performance and relentless effort on stage and behind the scenes. And thank you to the incredible team at the national broadcaster SWR.” Reflecting on...

Eurovision 2027: Sofia’s Bid Hit by Unexpected Venue Name Crisis

May 28, 2026 by Talya Raviv Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sofia’s Eurovision 2027 bid faces a sudden hurdle as Arena 8888’s commercial name conflicts with strict EBU neutrality rules. As the host city race for Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria nears its conclusion, a major complication has emerged for the capital city. Sofia's bid has been called into question by local media, suggesting the city might fail to meet the competition's threshold criteria due to a newly raised issue: the commercial name of its proposed venue, Arena 8888. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‏ The arena, which opened in 2011, boasts an impressive track record, hosting numerous major international sporting and musical events, including the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. In September 2024, a sponsorship agreement was signed between the venue and the online gambling platform 8888.bg, which is the source of the name that is now causing significant concerns. Reports in Bulgaria claim that the lack of a neutral venue name could directly clash with the European Broadcasting Union...

Executive Supervisor Gert Kark Breaks Silence on the Finnish Violin Controversy

May 28, 2026 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU Executive Supervisor Gert Kark discusses the Finnish live violin controversy, the Israel boycott, and preparations for Bulgaria 2027 in a candid interview. The new Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Gert Kark, breaks his silence in a special and sensational interview in his native Estonia. Kark, who stepped into the large shoes of Martin Österdahl as the Executive Supervisor of the contest in the autumn of 2025, summarizes his first season in Vienna. In a candid interview, he addresses the political pressures, the musical revolutions he led, and does not hesitate to express views that will surprise many fans. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ "I Stand Behind the Live Music Scandal" One of the most talked-about moments of the Eurovision 2026 season was the approval of live instrument playing on stage, manifested in the performance by the Finnish representative, Linda Lampenius, who played the violin live. The move sparked considerable...

“Lack of Clarity”: Azerbaijani Fans Launch a Petition Against İTV

May 28, 2026 by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Azerbaijani Eurovision fans launch an explosive petition demanding that national broadcaster İTV completely overhaul its selection process after Jiva's last-place finish. An earthquake is shaking a country that was once an undisputed Eurovision powerhouse. After four consecutive years of disappointment, non-qualifications, and two consecutive last-place finishes, fans in Azerbaijan have finally had enough. A fierce and unusual online petition targets the national broadcaster with harsh accusations, demanding a complete revolution in how the country selects its artist and song for the contest. What are the severe allegations regarding censorship and a lack of transparency, what demands do the angry fans present, and is Azerbaijan on its way back to its glory days? Here are all the details behind the petition that is shaking up the Eurovision community. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ Fans Demand Full Clarity in the Selection Process An explosive petition was recently published on the website Change.org - a platform dedicated to initiating and publicizing public petitions...

Eurovision 2027: BNT Reveals €20-30 Million Budget for Bulgaria

May 24, 2026 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); BNT reveals a €20-30 million budget for Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria following DARA's victory, as the host city race officially begins. The historic victory of DARA with the song "Bangaranga" at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna brought immense pride to Bulgaria, and now the nation is preparing for the real challenge: hosting the competition on its soil next year. While some countries tend to fear the heavy expenses associated with hosting the contest, it seems that Bulgaria is embracing the opportunity with both hands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‏ A Budget of €20 to €30 Million In an interview with the morning show of the Bulgarian national broadcaster (BNT), the Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Ivo Hristov, who heads the preparations for the event, revealed that the cost of organizing Eurovision 2027 is expected to range between €20 and €30 million. According to him, a dedicated budget line will be allocated to the competition, but the financial burden will not fall...

Eurovision 2027: New Dutch Broadcaster Steps Up to Make a Return

May 23, 2026May 23, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Omroep MAX challenges the AVROTROS boycott over the Israeli entry, offering to secure the return of the Netherlands to Eurovision 2027. Eurovision 2026 has barely concluded, but the political dramas surrounding the next edition are already in full swing. After the primary Dutch national broadcaster, AVROTROS, executed its threats and made its withdrawal from the competition official due to the participation of Israel - even going so far as to declare that it will continue its boycott into 2027 - it appears that not all broadcasting bodies in the country agree with this decisive course of action. Another Dutch broadcaster, Omroep MAX, is now dropping a bombshell by declaring its willingness to pick up the gauntlet, take the place of the boycotting network, and ensure that the Netherlands will not be absent from the grand stage of Europe in the coming years. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Saving the Dutch Representation: "The Boycott is Unjustified" Jan...

Prime Minister Peter Magyar Eyes Hungary’s Eurovision 2027 Return

May 22, 2026May 23, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Hungarian Prime Minster, Peter Magyar, calls the country's Eurovision boycott "nonsensical", as national broadcaster MTVA targets a potential return for Eurovision 2027. Hungary withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019 after the edition held in Tel Aviv, and has since opposed a return each year. Last night, elections were held in Hungary, and the far-right government fell, in a step that paved the way for the country's return to the competition. Now, the elected Prime Minister Peter Magyar proudly states - I will act for Hungary's return to Eurovision as soon as possible. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Hungarian national broadcaster MTVA was heavily influenced, according to many, by the policies of the Hungarian government, which in recent years was controlled by the far-right "Fidesz" party led by Viktor Orban. Orban's party is characterized by anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and in the eyes of many, this is the reason why Hungary withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest, which openly...

Eurovision 2026: Fans Outraged After Verka Serdiuchka Performance Cut

May 22, 2026 by Talya Raviv Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2026 fans are furious after the official YouTube upload cut Verka Serdiuchka's emotional performance of 'Volare' in Vienna. The Eurovision 2026 Grand Final, which took place last week in Vienna, may seem like a magnificent musical celebration, but it did not pass without loud backstage drama. When the official recording of the broadcast was uploaded to the official Eurovision YouTube channel, contest fans around the world were left completely shocked and confused to discover that a significant part of the performance by Ukrainian pop giant Verka Serdiuchka had been cut from the broadcast edit. Social media users are furious about the incident, failing to understand the reason behind the decision, and even claiming that the omitted part was the most emotional moment of the entire evening. During the Grand Final interval act, beloved past stars of the contest delighted the audience with a rhythmic and festive medley of songs. Among the participants who swept the arena,...

North Macedonia Returns to Eurovision 2027!

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026 by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); North Macedonian broadcaster MRT confirms Eurovision 2027 participation, following four years of absence. North Macedonia will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, as confirmed by the director general of the Macedonian national broadcaster MRT. The country becomes the fourth nation to confirm participation in Eurovision 2027, alongside host Bulgaria, Germany, and San Marino. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); During a meeting of the public broadcasting council of MRT, director general Zoran Ristoski officially confirmed that North Macedonia will certainly return to the Eurovision stage in 2027. Strategic Return After Years of Uncertainty North Macedonia has been considering a comeback to Eurovision for the past two years. The geographical proximity and logistical convenience of hosting the contest in neighboring Bulgaria are widely seen as key factors that encouraged the decision to return specifically this year. According to the rules of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), any country wishing to return to Eurovision must have broadcast the contest. North Macedonia complied with...