News Archives - Page 7 of 269

Azerbaijani Eurovision Star Efendi Will Return To Israel

September 28, 2026 by Avrumi Herz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Efendi, the Azeri representative at Eurovision 2021, is slated to appear at Israel's OGAE celebration marking 40 years, which will be her first time back since her previous stay in Israel during the October 7th Hamas-led attacks. As one of the more popular artists in Azerbaijan, Efendi was originally supposed to compete in Eurovision 2020 with the song "Cleopatra", which of course got cancelled. She ended up appearing in next year's edition with "Mata Hari", reaching the final and finishing 20th with 65 points. Now, Efendi will be travelling to Israel for its OGAE party and performing with several other stars. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A Full-Circle Moment This isn't just a regular visit from another Eurovision artist, but more a moment of closure for Efendi. In 2023, she travelled to Israel to perform at that year's OGAE meeting on October 5th, which happened to be a celebration of Israel's 50th year in Eurovision. However, just two days later, Hamas began a deadly attack on southern Israel. Efendi was staying in...

How Uninvited Guests Ruined 10 Great Eurovision Entries

September 27, 2026September 27, 2026 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Discover 10 iconic Eurovision performances ruined by uninvited guests, from Dana International's backing vocalists to Flo Rida's arrival for San Marino. The Sukkot holiday is a perfect opportunity to open the door and welcome guests into the sukkah, but sometimes the wrong visitor arrives and ruins the entire celebration. On the Eurovision stage, quite a few countries have decided that their song needed an extra touch of flavor - a guest rapper, distracting backing vocalists, an over-the-top visual gimmick, or even a stage invader breaking in from the audience. The result? Instead of elevating the performance, these uninvited elements drained its energy, hurt the vocal presentation, and turned potential hits into live disasters. In honor of the holiday, here are 10 uninvited "guests" that ruined everything. ‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1. Israel 2011: Dana International - "Ding Dong" The Uninvited Guests: The Backing Vocalists The grand comeback of the national diva and 1998 winner to Düsseldorf...

Ditonellapiaga Wins OGAE Second Chance 2026

September 25, 2026September 25, 2026 by Talor Fishler Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Italian singer Ditonellapiaga has won the OGAE Second Chance Contest 2026, the competition for Eurovision national final songs from the past year that did not make it to the Eurovision stage. The OGAE Second Chance Contest 2026 aired live for the first time tonight (Friday). Taking the crown was the song "Che fastidio" by the singer Ditonellapiaga, who finished in third place in the Italian Eurovision national final, Sanremo 2026. ‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Second Chance Contest features entries from Eurovision national finals across Europe that did not go on to represent their countries at Eurovision. Every year, members of the OGAE network (the international Eurovision fan organization uniting dozens of national clubs worldwide) vote for their favorite entries. Last year, Sweden won the Second Chance Contest with the song "On And On And On". In this year's edition, 22 countries competed out of the 35 nations that participated in Eurovision 2026, marking...

Eurovision 2027: Dutch Audience Rejects Return Alongside Israel

September 25, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); NPO confirms the Netherlands will return to Eurovision 2027, while an AD poll shows strong opposition to participating alongside Israel. The Dutch national broadcaster has decided to return to the Eurovision Song Contest and participate alongside Israel after boycotting the competition last year. However, a major public poll shows that the decision is unpopular among the Dutch public, while significant logistical challenges surround the country’s return. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); On Wednesday, the Netherlands was officially announced as a participant in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, which will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria. The country’s public broadcasting organization NPO held an urgent press conference and announced that it was reversing the previous decision by national broadcaster AVROTROS, which has represented the Netherlands at Eurovision in recent years. As previously reported, AVROTROS boycotted last year’s contest because of Israel’s participation, resulting in the Netherlands withdrawing from the competition. The organization had wanted to do the...

Greece Opens Eurovision 2027 Selection: ERT Launches “Sing for Greece 2027”

September 24, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ERT has officially opened submissions for “Sing for Greece 2027”, confirming the format and rules of Greece’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 in Bulgaria. Greek national broadcaster ERT has officially launched the selection process for Eurovision 2027, opening submissions for “Sing for Greece 2027”, the national selection that will determine both the song and artist representing Greece at the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria. The competition will once again feature a televised national selection, following the format introduced for Eurovision 2026. According to the newly published details, up to 20 songs will compete across two semi-finals, with 12 entries advancing to the grand final based solely on the public vote. ‏ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the final, the Greek Eurovision entry will be selected through a combination of public voting and an expert jury. The winning song and artist will go on to represent Greece at Eurovision 2027, scheduled...

Georgia: Eurovision 2027 Participation Confirmed

September 24, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); GPB confirms Georgia will compete at Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria, becoming the 29th country to announce its participation. The Georgian national broadcaster GPB has confirmed that Georgia will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2027, which will be held in Burgas, Bulgaria. Georgia becomes the 29th country to officially confirm its participation in the highly anticipated competition, among the countries that have already confirmed their participation are Israel, Denmark, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Canada - which will make its Eurovision debut - and host country Bulgaria. GPB has yet to reveal how the Georgian representative and the song that will represent the country at Eurovision 2027 will be selected. Further details regarding the selection process and Georgia’s participation plans are expected to be announced at a later date. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Georgia's Eurovision History: Early Success and Long-term Decline Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 18 times, never winning, and was absent once. Another planned participation in Eurovision 2020...

Eurovision 2027: CyBC Reveals Potential Cyprus Candidates

September 24, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); CyBC is considering Josephine, Biased Beast and Ivi Adamou as potential Cyprus representatives for Eurovision 2027 in Burgas. Three artists have been proposed to CyBC ahead of Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, including Cyprus’ Eurovision 2012 representative and a singer who came close to representing the country this year. The names of several artists proposed to the Cypriot national broadcaster, CyBC, as potential representatives for Cyprus at Eurovision 2027 have been revealed on the Cypriot television programme “Pame Pareá” (in English: “Let’s Go Together”) on OMEGA TV. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As previously reported by Eurovisionfun, record labels Heaven Music and PANIK Records have proposed several well-known and popular artists from their rosters as potential representatives for Cyprus at next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The programme revealed three of these names, who are considered leading candidates - information that also matches information obtained by EuroMix. Josephine For another year, Heaven Music has proposed Josephine as a potential representative for Cyprus at Eurovision. The popular Greek...

Eurovision 2027: EBU Responds to RTVE’s Spain Withdrawal Proposal

September 24, 2026 by Oscar Diefenthal Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); RTVE President José Pablo López proposes Spain withdraw from Eurovision 2027, while the EBU awaits the board’s final decision. Against the backdrop of recent developments surrounding Spain’s participation in the upcoming contest, José Pablo López, President of RTVE, announced today that he will propose to the RTVE Board of Directors that Spain not participate in Eurovision 2027. The proposal comes amid Israel’s participation in the contest and could result in Spain missing Eurovision for a second consecutive year. As a result, the final decision regarding Spain’s participation now rests with the RTVE Board of Directors. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, issued the following statement on behalf of the EBU: “We’ve seen today’s comments from RTVE’s President recommending that Spain does not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027. We respect RTVE’s process and will await their Board’s final decision.” (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); EBU Highlights Changes to Eurovision Green also addressed the changes introduced to the contest...

VRT Claims Gaza Situation To Be Featured in Eurovision 2027 Broadcasts

September 24, 2026September 28, 2026 by Eitan Melamed Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Facing severe backlash and threats of a union strike over its Eurovision 2027 entry, Belgian broadcaster VRT defends its participation, claiming the EBU will address the Gaza crisis during the live broadcasts of Eurovision 2027. Belgium’s decision to participate in Eurovision 2027 has sparked notable online discussion. Many who oppose Israel's participation in the contest criticized the fact that Belgium did not join a boycott, despite the country never having withdrawn from the competition over Israel's involvement. In a statement on behalf of the Flemish national broadcaster representing Belgium this year, VRT, delivered by Belgian commentator Peter Van de Veire, it was claimed that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) will no longer "turn a blind eye" to the situation in Gaza. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the statement, Van de Veire noted that steps have been taken that satisfy the Flemish national broadcaster, even if their broader goals have not yet been fully achieved. Outlining the network's reasoning...

Norway: NRK Urges EBU to Review Israel’s Eurovision Participation

September 23, 2026 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Norwegian national broadcaster NRK asks the EBU to reassess Israel's Eurovision participation, citing tensions in Vienna and audience decline. Ahead of Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria, the political debate surrounding the contest has returned in full force: Norwegian national broadcaster NRK has officially reopened the contentious discussion regarding Israel's participation in the competition . The national broadcaster sent a sharp letter to the governing board of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), expressing deep concern over the situation surrounding the contest and calling for a reassessment of whether Israel's continued participation complies with Eurovision rules. The letter is signed by the Head of Entertainment at NRK, Jostein Olseng, and the Head of the Norwegian Delegation, Mads Tørklep. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ‎‏ Complaints Over Security Around Noam Bettan and Unease in the Arena According to a report in the Norwegian newspaper "VG", the two officials addressed in their letter the significant tension that arose in the arena in Vienna during the voting...