Windows95man’s entry to Eurovision is not certain – 2024-02-16 17:54:12

– It has been completely torn to pieces here. Right now I’m waiting to go to therapy to sort out what happened here.

I saw Finland’s new Eurovision representative, Windows95man, properly named Teemu Keisteri, describes the rush after the UMK victory in Helsingin Sanomat. Keisteri has been giving interviews to the media at a fast pace since he and Henri Piispanen won the New Music Competition on Saturday, February 10.

The departure of Windows95man and Henri Piispanen to Eurovision is not necessarily certain. Elle Laitila

He has also been asked a lot about Israel in interviews. Different countries, musicians and parties have demanded that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) exclude Israel from Eurovision because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Even before his UMK win, Keisteri said that he was ready to go to Eurovision, but he hoped that Israel would not participate in the competition. Now, according to the artist, it’s not that simple anymore.

– I’m not here alone, but with Henri. We started this project to spread joy. That’s what we want to do at Eurovision as well. Everyone involved in this must have a good time, he tells the magazine.

At the moment, Keisteri does not want to take a position on whether their entry to Eurovision is certain. There is no time limit for the decision.

– We are stretching this now. We want to take a few days off so we can think about it in peace, he says.

However, he hopes that all artists selected for Eurovision would sign a petition demanding Israel’s removal from the competition.

Windows95man won UMK with his soulful song No Rules. The musician received the fewest points from the international jury of all UMK artists, but won with the help of audience votes. Windows95man recently told Iltalehti that he had already had time in his mind to be happy about second place.

– I thought we came second. Then it got dark. There in the egg [uusintaesityksen aikana] I just thought, focus. And then we were already in the press, he said.