The 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden began amidst escalating tensions in Gaza, with performers from various countries competing for a spot in the final. The first semifinal saw ten acts advancing, including favorites like Baby Lasagna from Croatia and alyona alyona and Jerry Heil from Ukraine. However, countries like Iceland, Azerbaijan, and Poland were eliminated.
Security is tight in Malmo due to the influx of Eurovision fans and pro-Palestinian protesters. Israel faced controversy over the lyrics of their entry, but was allowed to remain in the competition. The event aims to unite through music, yet political divisions persist.
The competition also faces challenges from performers like Eric Saade, who made a political statement with a headscarf, and Germany’s Isaak, who received backlash for not boycotting the event. Amidst the political climate, former Russian contestant Manizha released a new single as a message of hope, highlighting the power of music to inspire unity.