Eurovision winner hopes Israel won't compete next year
Johannes Pietsch, 24, from Austria, yesterday said in an interview with the Spanish outlet El Pais, that it is 'very disappointing to see Israel still participating in the competition.'
Pietsch, who narrowly beat out Israel's entrant for the win, also called for 'greater transparency' regarding the televoting element of the judging process, saying that this year 'everything was very strange about it', after Israel dominated the public vote.
The Spanish Eurovision delegation has requested an audit of the televoting process, and the Belgian broadcaster VRT has threatened to pull out of the competition if the matter is not clarified by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union).
Pietsch, who is queer, also said that he tried to 'sneak' an LGBTQ+ flag onto the stage during the final for his performance of 'Wasted Love', but that the organisers 'caught' him at the last minute.
'We artists can only raise our voices,' Pietsch further said.
Advertisement
Israel's entry, 'New Day Will Rise', sung by Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the 7 October attacks, came second, but came first in audience voting.
Ireland has joined in Spain's call for a review of the Eurovision voting process, alongside Finland, and the Netherlands.
There has been criticism of the fact that an audience member watching from home can cast up to 20 votes.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also called for Israel to be banned from the Eurovision.
Martin Green, the director of Eurovision, made a statement this week about the integrity of the voting system, calling it 'the most advanced in the world'.
Need more information on what is happening in Israel and Palestine? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to navigating the news online.
Visit Knowledge Bank
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Eurovision: These 7 European cities have hosted the song contest the most
It has been announced that Vienna will be the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 whick takes place in May of next year. This news got us thinking: Which European city has hosted the event the most? Well, there are seven cities which make up the top four in terms of hosting duties, so let's take a look at who comes out on top. Molly Sterling of Ireland performs on stage during the second Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna Pic:The Austrian capital has joined the list of cities that have hosted the Eurovision three times, after it was announced as the location for the 70th anniversary event. The 2026 event will take place in the Wiener Stadthalle, which also hosted the 60th anniversary celebrations in 2015, and in 1967, it was the Grosser Festsaal der Wiener Hofburg that staged the show. Bambie Thug on the Malmo Arena stage in 2024. Pic: Andres Poveda The popular Swedish city has also staged the song contest three times, in 1992, 2013 and 2024. The Malmö Isstadion was the first venue in the city to earn the honour, with duties falling on the Malmö Arena after that. Nicky Byrne performing at the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final in Stockholm in 2016. Pic: Maja Suslin/TT/AFP via Getty Images Sweden's second appearance on this list is its capital city, which has hosted Eurovision in 1975, 2000 and 2016. The Sankt Eriks-Massen was the first venue chosen to stage the show, with the Globe Arena taking over from 2000. Kasey Smith performing in Copenhagen in 2014. Pic: Ragnar Singsaas/WireImage Our third (and last) Scandanavian city on the list is the Danish city of Copenhagen, which has hosted the show three times. In 1964, the Tivalis Koncertsal staged the event, followed by the Parken Stadium in 2001 and the B&W Hallerne in 2014. Irish singer Pat McGuigan competing for Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest (as Pat McGeegan) with the song Chance of a Lifetime in London's Royal Albert Hall in 1968 Pic: Larry Ellis/The city that has hosted the Eurovision the second-most times (well, joint second), is London, which has hosted a total of four times. The city first helmed the event in 1960 at the Royal Festival Hall, and later moved to the BBC Television Centre in 1963. On their next hosting, the event moved to the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in 1968, before moving to Wembley Conference Centre in 1977. Marion Rung performing at the 1962 Eurovision Song Contest in Luxembourg. Pic: Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The other second-place city is Luxembourg city, who hosted four times throughout the last 70 years. The country had quite a good track record in the song contest before deciding to leave in 1995 and only rejoined in 2024. The 1962 and 1966 event was hosted in the Villa Louvigny, while the 1973 and 1984 events were hosted in the Théâtre Municipal. Celine Dion on stage with Pat Kenny (left) at Dublin's RDS in 1988. Pic: Independent NewsIt should come as no surprise that the small, island nation that has won the Eurovision Song Contest a record sevent times has picked the same city as host for the majority of occasions. While Sweden also has seven wins under their belt, they also have more venues available to them, but for Ireland, Dublin is the place with the largest venues. Surprisingly though, it was the Gaiety Theatre that chosen in 1971 to stage the show, with the RDS Simmonscourt taking over in 1981 and 1988. The Point Theatre (now the 3Arena) is the venue that has hosted the most Eurovisions, staging the show three times, in 1994, 1995 and 1997.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eurovision bosses announce city to host the 2025 song contest
RTE's Irish delegation is set to travel to Vienna for next year's Eurovision as the host city is revealed. Austria's capital was selected by national broadcaster ORF and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) following a competitive bid process. The Grand Final will be staged at the Wiener Stadthalle on Saturday 16 May, with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 May. This will be the third time Vienna has welcomed Eurovision. The city first hosted in 1967 after Udo Jürgens' victory the year before, and again in 2015 following Conchita Wurst's win. Next year's contest comes after Austria's JJ triumphed in Basel this May with Wasted Love, securing the country's third Eurovision crown. Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said Vienna's reputation as "one of the most musical cities in the world" and its central European location made it the ideal choice. He added that the Stadthalle proved to be an "exceptional venue" when it staged the 60th edition. Vienna's mayor Michael Ludwig said the city would ensure events around the contest are accessible to everyone, while Tourism Director Norbert Kettner described Eurovision and Vienna as a "perfect match". Eurovision has delivered significant boosts to recent host cities, with Liverpool, Malmö and Basel all reporting major gains in tourism and international profile. Further details on events, participating countries and ticket sales will be announced in the coming months. It comes after we revealed RTE spent €385,000 for two weeks in Basel, sending Norwegian singer Emmy to the Eurovision Song Contest in May of this year. The national broadcaster forked out €50,785 for a hotel for 19 people who were part of the delegation who travelled to Switzerland in May. Emmy failed to secure a place for Ireland in the final with her tune Laika Party. A Freedom of Information request revealed production costs amounted to €79,242, transportation costs totalled €1,407, while €7,503 was spent on economy flights Basel. The FOI showed a total of €2,538 was spent on 'representation', while 'subsistence costs' were €12,079. RTE said: 'The cost associated with Eurovision is two fold; one is to produce an act to represent Ireland in the biggest entertainment show in the world, to a standard that we can be proud of in front of an audience of 166 million viewers, the other is to provide over nine hours of live entertainment to an Irish audience who watch the competition in large numbers. The FOI showed a total of €2,538 was spent on 'representation', while 'subsistence costs' were €12,079. RTE said: 'The cost associated with Eurovision is two fold; one is to produce an act to represent Ireland in the biggest entertainment show in the world, to a standard that we can be proud of in front of an audience of 166 million viewers, the other is to provide over nine hours of live entertainment to an Irish audience who watch the competition in large numbers. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
8 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Host city and dates for 2026 Eurovision Song Contest announced and it's...
Eurovision fans will be able to start making their plans for the 2026 song contest as the host city and dates have just been announced. While we knew it was going to be hosted in Austria after their epic victory at the 2025 event, with JJ's song Wasted Love scoring 436 points, the exact location was still up in the air. After rumours reemerged this week that it could be held in Vienna, Salzburg or Innsbruck, it has now been confirmed that the Eurovision will be returning to the Austrian capital next year. JJ representing Austria celebrates after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. Pic:Vienna has hosted the event on two previous occasions, after Austria's victory in 1967 and 2015, and the Wiener Stadthalle will see thousands of fans descend on the arena for the two semi-finals on Tuesday, May 12, Thursday, May 14, and for the grand final on May 16. The 2026 event also marks a significant milestone for the song contest, with the event celebrating its 70th anniversary. It is oddly fitting that the celebrations will be in Austria after the 60th anniversary was also held in the country following Conchita Wurst's victory with Rise Like A Phoenix. The Eurovision is heading back to Vienna Pic: EBU Vienna joins Copenhagen, Malmö and Stockholm as cities that have hosted the Eurovision three times, with only Luxemburg City, London and Dublin having hosted more. Over the next few months, there will be more details released on the week-long activities that will take place around the city, including the locations of the Eurovision Village, Euroclub and, of course, when tickets will be going on sale. Speaking on the announcement, Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest said: 'The EBU is thrilled that Vienna has been selected as the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. 'Vienna's reputation as one of the most musical cities in the world, and its location in the heart of Europe, makes it the perfect Host City for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest. 'The city's exceptional Stadthalle was a great venue for the 60th Contest in 2015 and we're very much looking forward to welcoming delegations, artists and fans alike back there next May as the world's largest live music event celebrates 70 glorious years of being United by Music. 'Together with Host Broadcaster ORF and the city of Vienna we will create a spectacular celebration of music that will reverberate across the world.'
