26 Countries Battle for Eurovision Crown in Grand Final Showdown

WASHINGTON — The grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest, celebrated as the world’s largest live music event, concluded this past Saturday in Basel, Switzerland. This year’s competition proved to be a vibrant spectacle, despite ongoing disputes regarding Israel’s participation.

Among the notable contenders were a trio representing Sweden, extolling the virtues of sauna culture, and an Austrian countertenor lauded for his classical training. Predictions from bookmakers favored Sweden’s KAJ with their catchy tune “Bara Bada Bastu,” followed closely by Austria’s JJ with “Wasted Love.”

However, the unpredictable nature of Eurovision means other acts, such as France’s Louane with “maman” and Finland’s Erika Vikman with “Ich Komme,” could easily take home the trophy. Estonia’s Tommy Cash and his exuberant “Espresso Macchiato” also kept fans on their toes.

Israel’s Yuval Raphael inspired many with her song “New Day Will Rise,” though she faced protests calling for Israel’s exclusion over its actions in Gaza. Ultimately, acts from 26 countries vied for the coveted pop crown, performing to approximately 160 million viewers worldwide.

Dean Vuletic, a Eurovision expert, highlighted the event’s increasing diversity, noting the presence of songs in 20 different languages this year, including Icelandic and Albanian. He emphasized a shift in the competition’s nature, moving away from merely catchy pop tunes to more socially conscious performances.

The competition has faced turbulence for the second consecutive year over Israel’s presence. Protests from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups occurred, although they were less intense than previous years. Notably, the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees Eurovision, has tightened its conduct rules to uphold values of diversity and political neutrality.

Despite the surrounding controversies, performers expressed a more relaxed atmosphere this year, creating a sense of camaraderie backstage. Fans were allowed to wave flags beyond just national symbols, marking a return to more liberal expressions within the venue.

KAJ’s Axel Åhman acknowledged the challenges of keeping politics at bay during such a globally inclusive event. He expressed a desire for their performance to reflect pure artistry, leaving the political complexities to the decision-makers.