The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo
It’s time for many people to don sequins and spangles — and for others to pick up protest banners and Palestinian flags — for Saturday’s final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
The competition that pits nations against one another for pop music glory is reaching its conclusion in the Swedish city of Malmo, with Croatia and Switzerland among those tipped to take the trophy, and Israel at the center of a political storm.
Though the contest’s motto is “united by music,” this year’s event has attracted large protests from Palestinians and their supporters, who say Israel should be excluded because of its conduct of the war against Hamas.
Thousands of people are expected to march for the second time this week through Sweden’s third-largest city, which has a large Muslim population, to demand a boycott of Israel and a cease-fire in the 7-month war.
Several miles (kilometers) away at the Malmo Arena, 26 acts — narrowed from 37 entrants by two semi-final runoffs — are due to perform three-minute songs in front of a live audience of thousands and an estimated 180 million viewers around the world.
The participation of the Netherlands’ Joost Klein was in doubt, however, after he failed to perform at two dress rehearsals on Friday. Contest organizer the European Broadcasting Union said it was investigating an “incident” involving the singer, whose song “Europapa” is one of the bookies’ favorites.
It all makes for a messy climax to an event that draws both adoration and derision with its campy, kitschy ethos and passion for pop.
