The 68th edition of the European Song Festival started in Malmö last Tuesday. Once again, Eurovision has focused its eyes on the old continent for an entire week, although this time the reasons have been more divided. Israel’s participation, its subsequent protests and the constant tug-of-war between participants and the organization have marred the previous months.
However, the performances once again took center stage during the bulk of the night. In particular, with a historic moment for Spain: the first that two songs in Spanish were played in the Eurovision Song Contest, followed to complete the circle. After Nebulossa’s out-of-competition performance, Megara has jumped on stage to represent San Marino with her song 11:11.
The song, with rock touches and the black and pink aesthetic characteristic of the Madrid group, has brought the Malmö Arena and the spectators from their homes on their feet, despite being left out of the final. “It gives me tremendous pride to see a project that is 100%
“If they have done this with 11:11, what could they have done with Arcadia. We will never know but I feel that Megara is a spent bullet for Spain,” commented another user through Elon Musk’s social network. “Indeed, voting for MEGARA because it is clear that they have had difficulties with their voice BUT THEY HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE AND THEY REALLY DESERVE IT,” insisted another of the messages, showing his vote on the screen.
However, the night was not without controversy due to Israel’s participation. Belgian public television has begun tonight’s broadcast with a strong message, directed directly at Israel for its actions in recent months. “We condemn the violations of the Israeli state. Israel is destroying freedom of the press. That is why we are momentarily interrupting the broadcast,” read a poster on a black background broadcast on VRT1 in the moments before the start of the gala.
Eden Golan’s performance, in the eyes of viewers at home, has passed without major complications. However, many social media users have noticed certain strangenesses with the number presented by the Israeli. From canned applause to unusual large silences in the middle of the song, in addition to several boos being noticed below the various applauses that ended up occurring in the Malmö Arena.
