VIENNA, May 16 (Reuters) – Austria hosts the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on Saturday, which this year has been marked by the boycott of five countries protesting the participation of Israel.
WHAT IS THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST?
It is a celebration of pop music, high camp and diversity now in its 70th year. Songs from countries across Europe, and now as far afield as Australia, compete.
The most famous song to win was “Waterloo” by Sweden’s ABBA in 1974, while perhaps the best-known winning singer was Canadian Celine Dion in 1988, competing for Switzerland, with “Ne partez pas sans moi” (Don’t leave without me).
Sweden and Ireland hold the most titles with seven each.
Organisers say it is the world’s biggest music show, drawing more viewers than the Super Bowl.
HOW DO YOU WIN?
Points for each of the 25 finalist songs are awarded one of two ways. Viewers can vote online, by text message or by phone up to 10 times each. The 10 songs with the most votes in a given country are awarded points from that country ranging from 12 for the most popular to 1 for the 10th-placed.
Each country taking part also has a jury that picks the 10 best songs and awards them points the same way. Half the total points come from the public vote, and half from the jury.
A country cannot vote for its own song.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY THIS YEAR?
There has been a dispute over whether Israel should be allowed to participate following its military offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. The public broadcasters of five countries – Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Iceland and Slovenia – are boycotting because Israel is taking part.
Israel is also under pressure over attempts to sway the public vote. Last year its entry came second despite earning few points from juries, because it secured the most public votes.
Organisers responded by halving the number of public votes allowed per person to 10 and encouraging the public to vote for multiple songs, as well as clamping down on “disproportionate promotion campaigns”.
Israel’s public broadcaster KAN received a formal warning from the organiser last week over videos appealing to the public to vote for its song 10 times. KAN said it plays by the rules and the videos were immediately taken down.
WHO ARE SOME OF THE FAVOURITES?
* Finland’s “Liekinheitin”, or Flamethrower. An electropop-classical crossover about a tempestuous relationship, performed by violinist Linda Lampenius and singer-songwriter Pete Parkkonen, with arguably the most spectacular, flame-engulfed stage set.
* Australia’s “Eclipse”, performed by one of the country’s biggest pop stars, Delta Goodrem, a seasoned performer who brings polish to the show.
* Greece’s “Ferto”, or Bring it. An electro-pop track with traditional Greek flourishes criticising modern consumer culture.
* Israel’s “Michelle”. A love song sung in Hebrew, French and English, less controversial than its entry last year, which was sung by a survivor of the October 7 attack.
(Reporting by Francois Murphy and Dave Graham, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
