Monday, February 17, 2025
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Switzerland wins Eurovision Song Contest

Switzerland on Saturday won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Swedish host city Malmo, beating runner-up Croatia, after having been among bookmakers’ top-three to win the competition. Billed as a feel-good celebration of European diversity, this year’s contest has been thrust into the political spotlight with calls for Israel to be excluded over its military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ deadly attack on Oct. 7 in Israel.

Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, aged 24, clinched victory in the contest with their song “The Code,” which blends elements of drum-and-bass, opera, rap, and rock. The song delves into Nemo’s personal journey of self-discovery as a non-binary individual. Expressing gratitude after receiving the Eurovision trophy, Nemo emphasized the importance of the contest standing for peace and dignity worldwide.

Reflecting on the impact of their song during a press conference, Nemo expressed astonishment at how their personal story resonated with so many people and potentially inspired others to embrace their own narratives. Nemo’s triumph marked Switzerland’s third Eurovision victory, the first since Canadian icon Celine Dion won for the Alpine nation in 1988 with “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi.”

The announcement of Nemo’s victory sparked cheers of joy in bars across central Zurich, where Swiss revelers enthusiastically sang along to a victory rendition of “The Code.” Maha Nater, a 24-year-old kindergarten worker, expressed her excitement, describing Nemo as fantastic and celebrating the win in the city after watching the marathon contest. In one karaoke bar, the atmosphere was electrifying as patrons joined in singing Queen’s “We Are The Champions” to celebrate the triumph.

Nater remarked that Nemo’s victory would serve as a trailblazing example for individuals facing prejudice against non-binary people, offering hope and inspiration for others to follow. Despite the challenges, Nemo’s success resonates as a beacon of progress and acceptance.

In the Eurovision contest, Croatia’s Baby Lasagna, also known as Marko Purisic, aged 28, secured second place with his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim,” which narrates the story of a young man leaving home in pursuit of a better life in the city.

Despite calls for a boycott of Israel, Eden Golan, aged 20, finished fifth in the competition, showcasing resilience and talent amidst the political controversy surrounding the event.

On Thursday, the female solo artist emerged as one of the frontrunners to win after successfully qualifying for the final stage of the competition.

During Eden Golan’s performance, a mix of reactions was heard in the auditorium, with both booing and applause reported by a Reuters photographer. The noise, including the booing, was partly audible in the broadcast watched by tens of millions across Europe and beyond.

Similar reactions were observed when the points from the Israeli jury were announced, indicating the divisive nature of the event amidst political tensions.

Several thousand protesters gathered in central Malmo ahead of Saturday’s final, brandishing Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Eurovision united by genocide,” a play on the contest’s official slogan “United by music.”

Later, a few hundred demonstrators also gathered outside the venue, voicing their opposition with chants like “Eurovision, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide.”

Protesters have criticized what they see as double standards, citing the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to ban Russia from Eurovision in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine.

According to a Reuters reporter at the scene, police intervened by removing some protesters and subsequently encircling and dispersing the crowd. Pepper spray was reportedly used, leading to some protesters lying on the ground.

In the final, twenty-five countries competed following the expulsion of Dutch artist Joost Klein earlier on Saturday due to a complaint filed by a production crew member.

The final result was determined by a combination of viewer votes, accounting for half of the score, and the verdict of juries consisting of five music professionals in each participating country, making up the other half.

The Eurovision winner is traditionally awarded the contest’s official glass trophy, shaped like a classic microphone with sandblasted and painted details. Additionally, the winning country earns the privilege of hosting the competition the following year.

Following the win, Nemo humorously remarked at the press conference about breaking not only barriers but also the fragile trophy itself. Despite this mishap, Nemo was promptly provided with a replacement trophy.

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