“26 Finalists Compete for Eurovision Victory in Liverpool Amid Political Controversy”

At the end of a show that promises to be bursting with rhinestones and after the panting suspense of the famous counting of points, the successors of the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra, which triumphed last year with “Stefania”, will be designated. But because of the Russian invasion, the 67th edition of the contest is held in the English city.

>> Read also: In Liverpool, the Eurovision Song Contest is adorned with Ukrainian colors

Illustrating the difficulty of defining the contours of a displayed political neutrality while flying high the colors of a country ravaged by war, the organizers of Eurovision sparked controversy by refusing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to send a message during the final. The nature of the event “prohibits political or similar statements during the competition”, explained the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Favorite Nordic countries

The EBU argued that even without a message from Volodymyr Zelensky, the competition provides a strong tribute to Ukraine during the final on Saturday evening, with the presence of eleven Ukrainian artists on stage, including Kalush Orchestra. Like last year, Russia is excluded from the competition.

In several songs, the war appears in the background. “Heart of Steel”, the song by Ukrainian electro duo Tvorchi, was inspired by the resistance during a month-long siege at the Azovstal factory in Mariupol. The selection of representatives of the country was carried out in a shelter in kyiv.

Remo Forrer’s message of peace

For Switzerland, the young St. Gallen singer Remo Forrer launches a message of peace in a serious tone with “Watergun”. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the extravagant mustachioed Croatian band Let 3 are racing with “Mama SC!” a caustic title that attacks Russian President Vladimir Putin in a thinly veiled way.

According to the bookmakers, despite the group’s esteemed success, its chances are slim. Ukraine is given in the top 3, preceded by two Nordic countries, Sweden and Finland.

A favorite, Sweden is represented by singer Loreen, already victorious in 2012, with “Tatoo”, a grandiloquent love song. If she wins, she will only be the second to have won Eurovision twice, after Irishman Johnny Logan.

ats/juma