Category: Sweden

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); A wave of ultimatums against Israel’s participation is spreading across Europe. While more countries join the call to exclude Israel, Sweden chooses ambiguity and takes a cautious stance. A growing wave of countries opposing Israel threatens to withdraw from the competition unless Israel is excluded, sparking a fierce debate as preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna advance rapidly. After Slovenia and Ireland officially declared they would not take part if Israel competes, Iceland and Spain joined the critical voices, stating there is a strong likelihood of withdrawal unless the situation changes. Within this storm of pressure, Sweden - one of the most influential countries in the contest and a nation with a rich history of victories - was also asked to clarify its position. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “We Don’t Want to Get Ahead of Things” The Swedish national broadcaster SVT chose to take a moderate and cautious approach, refraining from joining the wave of demands for Israel’s exclusion. “We don’t...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Swedish national broadcaster SVT has published the rules for the Melodifestivalen 2026, Sweden's Eurovision selection contest, and announced the song submission period. How will Sweden's entry for Eurovision 2026 be selected? The process for selecting Sweden's entry for Eurovision 2026 is underway: The Swedish national broadcaster SVT has released the participation rules for Melodifestivalen 2026, the nation's famous pre-Eurovision contest. The song submission window runs from August 18th to September 12th, 2025, with thirty songs competing for the honor of representing Sweden - one of Eurovision's most successful countries, boasting seven impressive victories. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); How Will Sweden's Eurovision Entry Be Chosen? The contest, held from February to March, features five heats, each with six songs vying for a spot in the grand final. Twelve songs will compete in the final, where only one will earn the right to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2026 in Austria. The winner is determined by a combination of international jury panels...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Serious allegations were made against Måns Zelmerlöw regarding drug use and violence by his former partner. Now, the investigation against him is closed. What was at the center of the storm? Måns Zelmerlöw found himself at the heart of controversy in recent months, as his former partner Ciara Janson accused him of serious offenses, such as drug use and violence against her. Despite the severe allegations, today (Tuesday) the case against the Eurovision 2015 winner was closed. "The prosecutor and the police examined every detail, and it was determined that there is no criminal offense involved". Stated Zelmerlöw’s attorney, Hanna Lindblom. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Behind the Scenes of Sweden’s National Eurovision Selection "It was very predictable, [...] He is not surprised, but at the same time very excited that there is finally an end to all this". Lindblom added after the case closed. Zelmerlöw, 39, was a prominent contender to win the final of Melodifestivalen, and even for victory at Eurovision 2025 itself. However, there was considerable concern...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The prominent Swedish Eurovision icon, who appeared as a guest at Eurovision 2024, has announced his retirement from music due to health reasons. The Swedish legend Björn Skifs, who represented Sweden at Eurovision in 1978 and 1981, has announced his retirement from music after being diagnosed with FTD (frontotemporal dementia). In 1978, he performed the song "Det blir alltid värre framåt natten", finishing 14th, and returned in 1981 with "Fångad i en dröm", reaching 10th place. Despite not achieving top rankings at the contest, Skifs is seen as one of Sweden’s most respected artists, notably as the first Swedish musician to top the American charts with the band Blue Swede and their hit "Hooked on a Feeling". (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Skifs’ announcement, coming from one of the most beloved and influential voices in Swedish pop history, was met with deep sorrow in both the Eurovision community and the European music industry. The 78-year-old singer wrote: “It’s not easy to take...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Swedish national broadcaster SVT has confirmed Sweden’s participation in Eurovision 2026, set to take place in Austria. The country will once again select its representative through Melodifestivalen. The Swedish national broadcaster SVT has officially announced that Sweden will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, which will be hosted in Austria. Sweden becomes the 18th country to express interest in joining Eurovision 2026, following  Albania, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland,  the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); SVT confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2026 in Austria to the Eurovision news site ESC Today. As in previous years, Melodifestivalen will once again serve as Sweden’s national selection event for Eurovision. This marks the 63rd time that the Swedish entry will be chosen via this platform, which has selected every Swedish Eurovision representative except for the country’s debut in 1958, when singer Alice Babs was selected internally, and except for Sweden’s...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Behind the career of ABBA’s Eurovision-winning star lies a tragic past rooted in a secret Nazi project, leading all the way to the European Court of Human Rights. Decades after achieving global fame with ABBA and becoming an unforgettable Eurovision icon, the personal and tumultuous story of Anni-Frid Lyngstad has come to light. She was born as a result of a secret Nazi project that fostered a relationship between her Norwegian mother and a German soldier during World War II - making her a target for persecution, isolation, and humiliation in her homeland during her childhood. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Did a Eurovision Star Hide a Nazi Past? Lyngstad is one of thousands of children born under the “Lebensborn” program - a Nazi initiative aimed at creating a “master race” through relationships between SS soldiers and Scandinavian women. Approximately 12,000 children were born in Norway alone as part of this program, and at the end of the war, they...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “The Israeli song received too many points from the public,” claims Axel Åhman of KAJ, Sweden’s 2025 Eurovision band. He added, “Austria’s win was the best for everyone - and for the world.” Eurovision 2025 concluded over a week ago, yet artists continue to question the public voting—particularly regarding Israel. Axel Åhman, accordionist for the band KAJ, which represented Sweden and finished fourth, expressed his satisfaction with Austria’s victory. “It was the best win for everyone—and for the world,” he said, referring to the results table, where Israel placed second despite a decisive win in the public vote. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In an interview with Finnish national broadcaster YLE, Åhman voiced doubts about Israel’s public vote victory. He claims: “The points Israel received were so numerous that it’s hard to believe everything was in order.” He also referenced media reports about “state-sponsored campaigns aimed at mobilizing votes.” Calls for Investigation and Future Participation “It’s a complicated situation… Those who support Israel vote for it,...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Eurovision 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who competed in this year’s Melodifestivalen, faces accusations of drug use and violence against his ex-wife. Production officials admitted awareness but took no action. A storm has erupted in Sweden over the participation of singer Måns Zelmerlöw in the Melodifestivalen 2025 final. According to an investigation by Aftonbladet, senior officials at the Swedish national broadcaster, SVT, were aware that Zelmerlöw was struggling with drug addiction and knew of allegations of violence against his former partner, Ciara Janson. Nevertheless, they allowed him to continue competing. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Zelmerlöw, 38, was considered a leading contender to win, even for Eurovision 2025 itself, but there was significant concern behind the scenes. Production sources revealed that throughout the tour, his drug problem was widely discussed and known. According to testimonies, he used drugs during the competition and even consumed cocaine at the after-party in March. Sources claim he spoke openly about his drug use. Public Response and...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Stockholm has expressed interest in hosting Eurovision 2026, as Sweden’s 2025 representative, the band KAJ, is currently the favorite to win according to betting odds. The band KAJ, Sweden’s representative for Eurovision 2025 with their song “Bara Bada Bastu,” is predicted by betting sites to potentially win the contest tomorrow. In anticipation, Sweden is preparing for the possibility of hosting Eurovision for the eighth time, and the capital city, Stockholm, has expressed its interest in hosting the event. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Stockholm’s Bid and Venue Availability In an interview with the news outlet Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm city official Karin Wanngård stated: "We would be happy to host, provided the financial conditions are right. We are used to major events. Our main arenas, Avicii (formerly Globen) and Strawberry (formerly Friends), are booked in advance-but at least we know Taylor Swift won’t be coming," she joked. Last year, due in part to a Taylor Swift concert at one of Stockholm’s venues, the contest was ultimately...