Malmö, Sweden, May 7, 2024 (Lusa) — The 68th Eurovision Song Contest, in which 37 countries compete, begins today, in Malmö, Sweden, with the first semi-final, in which the song “Grito” is presented, of Iolanda, who this year represents Portugal.
37 countries participate in this edition, but in the final, scheduled for Saturday, only 26 will compete: ten are chosen today, in the first semi-final, and another ten are selected on Thursday, in the second semi-final.
Furthermore, there are six countries, the so-called ‘Big Five’ (France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy) and the host country that have direct entry into the final.
In the first semi-final of the competition, in addition to Portugal, whose theme will be presented in 14th place, the following will be competing, in order of presentation: Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Slovenia, Finland, Moldova , Azerbaijan, Australia and Luxembourg.
According to the average of several bookmakers, calculated by the website eurovisionworld.com, which specializes in the competition, Portugal has a chance of reaching the final.
However, Portugal is far from being considered a potential winner, appearing between 30th and 35th place in bookmakers since Iolanda won the Festival da Canção final in March.
In the second semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the following compete, in order of appearance: Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Denmark, Armenia, Latvia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway and Countries Lows.
Israel’s participation generated controversy, with several appeals from political representatives and European artists to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to veto that country’s participation due to the war in the Gaza Strip.
At the end of March, representatives from nine countries, including Portugal, signed a letter in which they called for an “immediate and lasting ceasefire” in Israel’s war in Palestine and the return of all Israeli hostages.
In the letter, the artists began by stating that they recognize “the privilege of participating in Eurovision”, but that they do not feel “comfortable in remaining silent” given the “current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, in particular in Gaza and Israel”.
In addition to the representative of Portugal, interpreters from Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Lithuania and Finland signed this letter.
At the time, the EBU recalled that the festival is an “apolitical” event. However, in 2022 it was decided to expel Russia from the competition following the invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Iolanda appeared on the ‘turquoise runway’ (where representatives from all countries parade, thus marking the beginning of the competition’s live shows), in Malmö, wearing a dress from a Palestinian brand and her nails painted. with the pattern of the ‘keffiyeh’, a scarf that is a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Israel was the first non-European country to participate in the music competition, in 1973, and has won four times, including with transgender singer Dana International, in 1998.
Although they are not in competition, today’s semi-final will feature themes from Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Representatives from Spain, France and Italy will play in the second semi-final.
The semi-finals take place today and on Thursday and the final on Saturday, but the festival has already been running for a few days, with participants taking part in rehearsals, press conferences and a series of parallel activities.
Today’s semi-final is shown live on RTP1, RTP Internacional and RTP Play from 8pm in Lisbon.
Last year, Portugal came in 23rd place in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Mimicat and the song “Ai Coração”.
Read Also: Controversies, favorites and votes. What you need to know about Eurovision
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