Eurovision 2024 is coming to an end – the first dress rehearsals of the Grand Final of the competition took place on Friday. Ultimately, the representative of the Netherlands, Joost Klein, did not appear on the stage. The organizers briefly inform about the incident involving him, and the jurors will evaluate the semi-final performance. What do we know?
On May 10, at 1:30 p.m., the first dress rehearsal before the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest began. The gathered journalists did not see the Dutch performance, which was omitted in the order. After a series of rumors and speculations, information appeared that Joost Klein would not perform for the jurors today.
Eurovision 2024: Joost Klein (Netherlands). / photo: Corinne Cumming – EBU
Eurovision 2024: Joost Klein out of rehearsal
The final dress rehearsal began with a Flag Parade practice with the 26 finalists. According to the starting order, he was the fifth to cross the stage Joost Klein in colors Netherlands. The rapper ultimately though did not occur. After the presentation of the fourth Luxembourg, there was a short break and a clip of funny moments in the history of voting. Then, the organizers they moved on to the next performance…the sixth Israel.
There was confusion behind the scenes and numerous rumors about the Netherlands being left out of the mix. According to available knowledge, the Dutch were ready for their performance, but were returned to the space provided for the performers. The following announcement appeared in the Swedish press European Broadcasting Union (EBU): We are currently investigating an incident reported to us involving a Dutch artist. He will not have probation until further notice. We have no further comment and will update information in due course.
Journal The evening paper revealed that this is about the situation that occurred after the second semi-final, but not during the finalists’ press conference. Approx. 17:00 Dutch television announced: indeed, there is an ongoing EBU investigation into the incident. We will wait for the result and will not comment until then. Later The evening paper reported that a crisis meeting of the EBU authorities was underway. JoostKlein was to be accused of violent behavior towards an employee of the Eurovision 2024 production. The police did not receive any information about this.
The Netherlands will not sing for the jury
At 20:30, the European Broadcasting Union announced that the investigation and discussions with the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS are continuing. Rumors have it that the president of the station personally came to Sweden. JoostKlein he was not allowed to perform during the next rehearsal – at 9:00 p.m. the rehearsal assessed by the jury committees will begin. Instead of the Netherlands performing a recording of her semi-final performance will be played. Thus, the jury will evaluate Joost’s performance, which we saw during Thursday’s broadcast. The decision on the possible disqualification of the Netherlands will be made before the Grand Final tomorrow.
We would like to remind you that although Eurovision 2024 is not a place for politics, due to the war between Israel and Hamas and the situation in the Gaza Strip, the Eurowizja.org website limits coverage of Israel’s participation in Malmö to a minimum – MORE INFORMATION.
Eurovision 2024: Joost Klein (Netherlands) at the first rehearsal. / photo: Sarah Louise Bennett, EBU
Press conference of the finalists: the Netherlands and Israel
During the conference with the winners of the second semi-final, the representatives of the Netherlands and Israel sat next to each other. During the Israeli woman’s statement, Joost Klein covered himself with a flag. Polish journalist Szymon Stellmaszyk asked Eden Golan a question about whether he feels that his participation is bringing a threat to the competition. The journalist leading the meeting at that time Jovan Radomir he said that the Israeli woman did not have to answer if she did not want to. These words sparked criticism among Swedish journalists. Then Joost Klein shouted: why not? Ultimately, Golan replied that the EBU takes care of safety and that the competition is a place where we can unite.
Eurovision 2024 Joost Klein represents the Netherlands. (photo: Ruud Janssen / AVROTROS, press materials)
Eurovision 2024: what do we know?
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest is organized by Sweden because of victory of flowers with the song Tattoo. The event venue is Malmö Arena, where it took place already in 2013, also after Loreen’s victory. We will see the semi-finals of the competition May 7 and 9, a Grand Final – May 11, 2024. The slogan is United By Music – last year’s slogan remained in use for subsequent years. We also know scene design i host of the competition. The EBU announced several organizational changes.
Will take part in the competition 37 countries. Again we will miss, among others: Bulgaria, North Macedonia i Slovakia. She won the Polish internal pre-selection Luna with a song The Tower. Poland did not advance to the final concert.
