News Archives - Page 75 of 251

Sofia Vossou: “Boycotting Israel Is a Mistake”

December 29, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Sofia Vossou speaks out against calls to boycott Israel, stressing that Eurovision must remain a celebration of music rather than a platform for political struggles. Amid growing calls in Greece to boycott Eurovision 2026 due to Israel’s participation, a clear and contrasting voice is emerging from within the Eurovision world itself. Greek singer Sofia Vossou, who represented Greece at Eurovision 1991 with the song "I Anixi" (In English: “Spring”), has expressed firm opposition to turning the contest into a stage for political confrontation. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Eurovision Must Remain a Music Competition” In an interview with the Greek television program “Hamogela kai Pali”, Vossou made it clear that, in her view, boycotting a country in a music competition is fundamentally misguided. She emphasized that the essence of Eurovision lies in artistic expression, creativity, and cultural connection, not political considerations. According to her, transforming the contest into a political battleground undermines its core values....

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 22: Gili Tsanaani Is the Seventh Contestant Eliminated From the Show

December 28, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Gili Tsanaani is the seventh contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 14 contestants remain in the race, including Dorin Or, Daniel Azar, Shira Zloof, and Gal De Paz. Full recap of Episode 22. 14 contestants remain at this stage in "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026". with the grand winner set to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. The next stage is the “Duels”. Eight contestants were divided into pairs and faced off against one another. The contestant who received the higher score advanced to the next stage, while the loser of each duel was nominated for elimination. At the end of the evening, the judges had to say goodbye to one contestant out of the four who lost their duels. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Portrait Band Portrait Band chose to perform the song “Ata Chayav Lamut Alay” (originally by the band Hamsa, which competed on the show last year). They...

From Albania to San Marino: Refugees From National Selections Storm Eurovision

December 28, 2025 by Adiel Shtainmetz Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After her disappointment in Albania, Sheila joins a growing list of artists trying to reach Eurovision 2026 through San Marino’s selection – turning “second chance” dreams into real opportunities. In recent years, a fascinating trend has been gaining momentum ahead of Eurovision 2026: artists who fail to win their own country’s national final refuse to give up on their dream and decide to try again through San Marino’s selection - "San Marino Song Contest" (formerly Una "Voce per San Marino"). The developing list of participants once again includes several international names who already have experience in national final stages and now see San Marino as another gateway – and sometimes the last – to the big stage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); From Albanian setback to San Marino audition: The clearest and most recent example this year is the Albanian singer Sheila, who continues her journey towards the Eurovision stage and refuses to let a single result stop her. Just a week ago, Sheila...

HaKokhav HaBa – Episode 21: Stav Vaknin Is the Sixth Contestant Eliminated From the Show

December 27, 2025January 12, 2026 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Stav Vaknin is the sixth contestant to bid farewell to HaKokhav HaBa. 15 contestants remain in the race, including Agam Hazan, Tamir Levy, Alona Erez, and Noam Bettan. Full recap of Episode 21. 15 contestants remain at this stage in "HaKokhav HaBa for Eurovision 2026". with the grand winner set to represent Israel at Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th. The next stage is the “Duels”. Eight contestants were divided into pairs and faced off against one another. The contestant who received the higher score advanced to the next stage, while the loser of each duel was nominated for elimination. At the end of the evening, the judges had to say goodbye to one contestant out of the four who lost their duels. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Michael HarPaz Michael HarPaz chose to perform the song “Ordinary” (originally by Alex Warren). It is clear that Michael knows exactly what he is doing, his extensive experience truly...

Vienna launches Eurovision 2026 countdown: Thousands of performers join the celebration

December 27, 2025 by Maor Heumann Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Vienna kicks off the Eurovision 2026 countdown with a New Year’s Eve clock reveal and thousands of global artists applying for participation Vienna has entered the countdown phase toward Eurovision 2026, set to take place in May. Austria’s capital announced that as part of its New Year’s Eve festivities, a large and impressive countdown clock will be unveiled precisely at midnight. It will be displayed on a giant LED screen on the Ringstrasse boulevard, facing the famous Rathausplatz square. The clock will remain on display until the Eurovision Grand Final, while visitors enjoy live performances of iconic Eurovision hits throughout the festival events held at the location. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Creative energy around the competition Beyond the anticipated clock reveal, enthusiasm for the contest is sparking creativity among artists. According to the Austrian national broadcaster ORF, more than 2,000 dancers and singers from around the world have applied to participate in the stand‑in rehearsals for the upcoming competition. These...

Report in Greece: Three Early Favorites Emerge to Represent the Country at Eurovision 2026

December 27, 2025 by Neta Geffen Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Greek media reports suggest that three submitted songs have stood out ahead of "Sing For Greece 2026". As Greece prepares for its national selection, "Sing For Greece 2026", an intriguing report has surfaced that may hint at the musical direction the country is aiming for this year. According to a publication by the Greek newspaper Ethnos, three songs have stood out in particular among all submissions and are currently considered leading contenders to represent Greece at Eurovision 2026, set to take place in May in Vienna, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Report: Three Titles Repeatedly Mentioned According to a source cited in the report, an individual who was exposed to all the songs submitted to the Greek national broadcaster ERT indicated that three entries made an especially strong impression. These are the song titles that were published: Unbreakable Odos Ermou (In English: "Ermou Street") On the Dark Side of the Moon At this stage,...

Portugal: The Lineup for “Festival Da Canção 2026” Semi-Finals Revealed

December 27, 2025 by Ilay Gaist Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The organizers of "Festival Da Canção 2026" announced today on social media the breakdown of the 16 contestants for the two semi-finals to be held on February 21st and 28th. Which artist will be in each semi-final? The organizers of the traditional "Festival da Canção 2026" announced today (Saturday) the division of 16 contestants into two semi-finals of the competition. The festival has served as Portugal’s Eurovision selection process since the country joined the contest in 1964. However, this year it remains uncertain whether the winner will represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. As previously reported, 13 contestants have declared that they will not take part in Eurovision if Israel remains in the competition. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "Festival Da Canção 2026": Semi-Finals Allocation First Semi-Final – Saturday, February 21st: Agridoce Evaya Marquise Djeodje Dinis Mota Bateu Matou Andre Amaro Nunca Mates o Madarim Second Semi-Final – Saturday, February 28th: Bandidos do Cante Cristina Branco Inês Sousa ...

Malta: Baby Lasagna to perform at “MESC 2026” final!

December 26, 2025January 12, 2026 by Aviad Berger Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Malta’s national broadcaster PBS revealed that Baby Lasagba will perform as a special guest during the final of “MESC 2026” Baby Lasagna, who represented Croatia at Eurovision 2024 with the fan-favorite hit “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”, will take the stage at Malta’s national selection “MESC 2026” as a guest performer, the national broadcaster PBS announced. This move further strengthens the bond between the Eurovision Song Contest and the various national selections across Europe. It aims to give Malta’s competition a fresh, international flair that resonates with younger audiences. The appearance of Baby Lasagna, who finished second at Eurovision 2024 after winning the public vote and achieving massive success, is expected to draw strong interest from Eurovision fans across the continent. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In the Maltese selection, 18 contestants will compete in a single semi-final scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026. The voting will be evenly divided - 50% from a professional jury and 50% from the public. The...

Montesong Scandal: Krstinja Slams Nina Žižić After Tamara’s Win

December 25, 2025 by Noy Yehoyada Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Montesong scandal in Montenegro: Krstinja Todorović attacks judge Nina Žižić after Tamara Živković’s win. Organizers condemn contestants’ conduct amid festival chaos. It seemed Montenegro had peacefully chosen its representative for Eurovision 2026, Tamara Živković, during a festive and uneventful evening. But the real drama began once the cameras stopped rolling. Krstinja Todorović, who placed fourth in the national final “Montesong”, launched a harsh and personal online attack against head juror and former Montenegrin representative Nina Žižić. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “How are you not ashamed?” Todorić’s outrage erupted after discovering that Žižić, as the head of the jury, had awarded her just four points for her performance of “Oli Oli.” On Instagram, the disappointed singer posted a passionate series of stories attacking Nina’s professional and personal credibility. “I would like to ask Mrs. Žižić – that was her name, right? – what criteria she used to distribute her points,” Todorović wrote angrily. She went on to mock Nina’s previous Eurovision performance in Basel: “Considering...

Portugal: The First “Yes” to Eurovision 2026!

December 25, 2025 by Rachel Geron Comment Closed

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); After 13 contestants in Portugal’s "Festival da Canção" threatened a boycott over Israel’s participation, Bandidos do Cante say they want to represent Portugal at Eurovision 2026 and remind everyone – music comes first. For the first time since the contestants for Portugal’s Festival da Canção were announced, one competing act has declared that it will not boycott Eurovision 2026. The group Bandidos do Cante are the first - and so far the only - contestants to state openly: If we win, we will represent Portugal on the Eurovision stage in Vienna, Austria. The band’s statement comes after 13 other contestants in the competition announced that they would boycott Eurovision in protest of Israel’s participation. Within this charged climate, the members of Bandidos do Cante choose a different path – conciliatory, unifying, and above all optimistic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “Believe in the power of songs to bring people together” Bandidos do Cante are made up of five childhood friends from...