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Jorn Kompeer
Domestic editor in Malmö
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Jorn Kompeer
Domestic editor in Malmö
Sweden is gearing up for a much-discussed edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Exactly at 9 pm the famous Eurovision tune will be sung, this time from the city of Malmö. Television viewers from all over the world will be waiting for a semi-final as always full of traditions, fireworks and countless musical styles.
But everything is not as it always was, because both behind and in front of the scenes it is the most discussed edition in years. From a Dutch perspective, this is partly due to the expected success of partner Joost Klein, who made his shot in the second semi-final on Thursday A European Pope is on the stage.
At the same time, it is very much about the security of the event. Malmö has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest twice before (in 1992 and 2013), but never before has an edition been as high-voltage as this one.
Snipers on rooftops
Anyone walking through the city these days can’t escape the many police officers patrolling and driving around, sometimes even with police vans which is more like a war tank. Officers have flown in from all over Sweden to help with security. And unlike the norm, they are equipped with heavy weapons, which keep them ready.
The closer to Arena Malmö – where the show is from – the more steps. For example, there is a no-fly zone around the event hall and a temporary system has been installed to keep drones away. “The only drones flying around here are ours for surveillance,” a police spokesman explains. Local residents say there are also snipers on the roofs.
To ensure this runs smoothly, representatives from nearby Denmark and Norway have come over to help.
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EPA
Heavily armed police at the Malmö Arena, unique to Sweden -
EPA
Security around the Malmö Arena where the event is held -
EPA
Due to threats, bags have been banned at the Eurovision festival site in the city centre
All the measures are associated with increased risk, which many European countries – including the Netherlands – have been dealing with for some time. In Sweden this threat is expressed regularly, for example during the burning of Quran.
And this week, the Eurovision Song Contest is controversial for many people this week, because Israel participated in the event. Because of the war in Gaza, critics believe that it is inappropriate for Israel to take office on Thursday. For months, there have been calls for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to ban Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest.
Flag rules
Protests are also planned in Malmö in the coming days. According to the group, tens of thousands of people come from all over the world.
So the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Swedish broadcaster SVT, are holding their breath and doing everything they can to keep demonstrators out of the venue. That’s why the rules for flags were also tightened.
Visitors may only bring those from participating countries, along with the rainbow flag. The Palestinian flag is specifically prohibited and the leaders are asked to keep any distractions out of the picture, if any.
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Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU
The Finnish Windows95man entry: the song begins in an open egg -
Alma Bengtsson / EBU
The Croatian Entree Baby Lasagna with Rim Tim Tagi Dim -
Alma Bengtsson / EBU
The TALI Luxembourg will perform with the song Fighter -
Alma Bengtsson / EBU
The Irish entry Bambie Thug
If everything goes according to plan, the television viewer may not notice all the steps and they will expect tonight’s first semi-final full of spectacle, which is known to Eurovision Song Contest.
With amazing entries in the first part, such as the Irish Thug Bambi, one of the festival’s darkest and darkest acts ever with references to witchcraft. And also Finland, with two artists who named themselves after the Windows95 operating system and began their performance in a large egg.
Perhaps the favorite of the evening is Croatia, who are in seventh place. Singer Baby Lasagne will sing his song Dim Tag Rim Team, which is very similar to the German metal band Rammstein. It’s about young people in Croatia who are moving abroad a lot because they don’t see a future in their own country anymore.
An old acquaintance
Luxembourg is also taking part tonight. And that is very special, because that is the first time in thirty years. Broadcasters in Luxembourg thought participation was too expensive all along, but thanks to the government, the country is now participating again for the first time since 1993. The singer will Tali closes the show with the song A fighter.
In tonight’s first semi-final, fifteen countries will try to finish in the top ten. Unlike the final, only votes at home count tonight.
2024-05-07 04:16:58
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