The Eurovision Song Contest is famous for celebrating everything from cross-dressing ballad singers to heavy metal bands in monster masks, but geopolitics is threatening its 70th anniversary edition.
More than 1,000 artists this week urged a boycott, and several countries have already said they are staying away in protest over Israel’s participation.
Just eight years ago in Lisbon, the competition managed by Europe’s public broadcasters featured artists from 43 countries, but only 35 will be vying for the top prize on 16 May this year in Vienna, marking the smallest edition in recent years.
While Israel’s presence poses a challenge this year, the world’s largest live music event has long been interwoven with politics, experts say.
Hungary quit the contest in 2020, a decision widely seen as linked to its increasingly conservative political line.
Belarus was suspended in 2021 for suppressing media freedom, while Russia got kicked out after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, other countries including North Macedonia have pulled out in past years citing financial issues.
AFP
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