Latest news with #Basel2025
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Eurovision's transformation over time as Switzerland hosts third edition — from 1956's first contest to 2025's spectacle
BASEL, May 17 — Switzerland is hosting Eurovision for the third time, with the extravaganza a world away from when it staged the inaugural competition in 1956 — and also from 1989 when Celine Dion starred. The 2025 edition on May 17 in Basel will draw an expected TV audience of around 160 million, with viewers worldwide casting their votes. Here is a look back at how Switzerland staged the 1956 and 1989 editions, illustrating how the competition has evolved: Lugano 1956 The Eurovision Song Contest started as a technical experiment: a live, simultaneous, transnational television broadcast. Switzerland's centrality in Europe made it a natural choice for transmitter purposes. The inaugural Eurovision was held in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking Ticino region. Seven countries took part — Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany — with two songs each, for the only time in the competition's history. The event was fronted in Italian by presenter Lohengrin Filipello — the only time there has been a solo male host — who enthused that the winning composer could boast of writing 'the most beautiful song in Europe'. Ten television and 20 radio networks carried the broadcast, which lasted an hour and 40 minutes. With television ownership still in its infancy, most people heard it on the radio and little black-and-white footage survives. The performers were accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra. Groups were banned — a rule which lasted until 1971. Countries sent two jury members, who unlike now could vote for their own country. Their scores have never been made public. Switzerland's Lys Assia triumphed with her second song, the French-language Refrain. Switzerland declined to host again in 1957, with the second Eurovision staged in Frankfurt, West Germany. Assia entered the Swiss domestic competition to choose a song for Eurovision 2012, coming eighth in the televote. She died in 2018, aged 94. Celine Dion, who won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland, appears on a screen in a video message during the first semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel May 13, 2025. — Reuters pic Lausanne 1989 Appearing for Switzerland, Canadian then-starlet Celine Dion triumphed in 1988 singing Ne partez pas sans moi, launching her career internationally. It was the last time a song in French won Eurovision. The following year, the 34th Eurovision was staged in Lausanne, with 22 countries taking part. The logo, featuring the Matterhorn mountain, was designed using new-fangled computer graphics, while the set used glaring neon strip lights and rotating coloured spotlights. The show featured the two youngest competitors in the contest's history: 12-year-old Gili Netanel from Israel and 11-year-old Nathalie Paque representing France. The precedent had been set when Belgium's 13-year-old Sandra Kim won Eurovision 1986. But the even younger acts sparked controversy, and since 1990, contenders have to be at least 16. The show was hosted by Swiss sports commentator Jacques Deschenaux and Miss Switzerland 1982 Lolita Morena, rotating between French, English, Italian and German. Morena later married World Cup-winning German football great Lothar Matthaus. While the juries made their decisions, a stunt artist fired crossbow shots live on stage, culminating by setting off a chain reaction with the final arrow aimed at an apple on his own head, in homage to Swiss mythical idol William Tell. It narrowly missed the apple, his head, and disaster. National juries read their results down crackly phone lines from European capitals. Yugoslavia was the surprise winner with Rock Me performed by the group Riva. Dion presented them with a plaque. Within a few years, Yugoslavia plunged into war and disintegrated. Riva likewise fell apart, in 1991. — AFP
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Could Celine Dion perform at Eurovision? Here's what we know
Eurovision organisers are in contact with Celine Dion regarding a potential appearance at the 2025 contest in Basel, Switzerland. Dion's potential involvement is significant given she won the competition for Switzerland in 1988. Despite a video message recorded by Dion for the semi-final rehearsals, Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR stated there are no changes to her potential involvement and they remain in 'close contact' with her. The first semi-final features several contenders, including Dutch singer Claude Kiambe and Swedish group KAJ. Switzerland already has an act in the final due to Nemo Mettler's win in 2024, along with major financial contributors Italy and Spain.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Switzerland lives up to stereotype with ‘beautifully organised' Eurovision
Switzerland is living up to its stereotype by delivering a 'beautifully organised' Eurovision Song Contest, the director of the event has said. Basel is hosting the 2025 contest after Switzerland's Nemo won last May in Sweden with The Code, which explored them coming to terms with their non-binary identity. Last year in Malmo, pro-Palestinian protests were held outside the event's arena due to Israel's participation amid the war in Gaza, and the show was also hit by criticism from its contestants. This time around, Martin Green has been brought in by organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as the new director of the contest, after being an executive producer on Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, and the ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mr Green told a press conference on Monday in Basel: 'Everyone's really excited to finally show you what we've been up to for the last few months. In the last two weeks, the Swiss have done an extraordinary job this year. 'It is almost stereotypically beautifully organised. Come with us on the journey. Let's share a bit of love this week. Shall we? I think it's probably the biggest weapon we have. It's a bit of love this week, so come with us on the journey.' Following last year, the EBU conducted a review and pledged a new code of conduct for 2025, with a raft of measures to 'protect' the wellbeing of artists in Basel – these appear to include the scrapping of semi-final media conferences, and more welfare measures for artists, and rules for delegations, and journalists. Mr Green said: 'I realise that we've changed a few things up this year. What I can absolutely tell you now we've put it into practice, is the artists are loving it. 'They are relaxed. They feel that they've got time to make sure that before they go in front of the world, they feel confident and rehearsed. You'll remember, there's a lot of new artists here. This is the biggest thing they've ever done.' One big change is that the semi-finals will focus on the artists' reactions, using three-split screens to show one act qualifying for the first nine going through. The 10th act qualifying in each semi-final will be announced the usual way by the hosts. On Sunday, the Eurovision opening event, the Turquoise Carpet, saw Palestinian flags held by crowds protesting over Israel's inclusion, and more demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday in the city centre at 7pm local time. Basel police's head of communications, Adrian Plachesi, told the PA news agency that the force was aware these type of events could mean an 'increased risk of terror attacks' from extremists, and they were also monitoring in case of 'cyber attacks' on the city's infrastructure. The force has stepped up video surveillance because of the 'heightened threat level' and the city centre has some road closures, Swiss police said. Mr Plachesi said no permission has been granted for protests, but officers would be stationed for expected pro-Palestinian demonstrations. He added officers 'might have to intervene', if demonstrations interfere with 'public safety'. About 1,300 Swiss police officers are on duty in Basel this week, with more forces drafted in from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police and neighbouring countries – Germany and France – ahead of the two semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday, and the grand final on Saturday. Current favourites to win include KAJ, who are from Finland's Swedish-speaking minority and will represent Sweden, with the upbeat comical Bara Bada Bastu – inspired by the Nordic sauna culture. The hit is the first time the country, which is tied with Ireland for the most Eurovision wins, has entered with a song in Swedish since the 1990s, when the rules on competing in a country's official language were relaxed. Others in contention are Dutch entry Claude Kiambe's C'est La Vie, Israeli singer Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks, with New Day Will Rise, Austrian singer JJ's Wasted Love, and French singer Louane's ballad Maman. On Tuesday, Switzerland's Zoe Me, the Netherlands and Ukraine's Ziferblat will perform, and on Thursday the UK's girl group Remember Monday, Ireland's Emmy Kristiansen and Israel will take to the stage.
Euronews
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Eurovision 2025 introduces Lumo, a heart-shaped mascot symbolising unity
This year's Eurovision Song Contest has revealed its official mascot, the winner of an open-call competition at a Swiss university. Ahead of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest set to be held in Basel after Nemo won last year's competition with 'The Code', the competition has announced its latest mascot. Lumo is the new mascot. The orange and blue heart-shaped creature has been designed to 'showcase the beating heart of Eurovision'. Design features of Lumo point to the values of both Eurovision and Switzerland's hosting. From its untamed curly hair symbolising the euphoria of the contest to its bright colouring and big eyes positioning it as a 'joyous ambassador of musical diversity and togetherness.' Following on from the historic moment last year when Nemo became the first non-binary musician to enter and win Eurovision, Lumo is also a gender neutral figure aimed to bring 'people of all ages and backgrounds together through the power of music' – a goal in line with the contest's long-standing inclusive audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SRG SSR (@ Lumo was chosen as the winner of an open-call competition at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW and the Basel School of Design. Over 1,100 students were asked to submit creative ideas for the mascot. 36 unique designs were submitted and judged by a jury of Basel 2025 representatives. Lynn Brunner, a 20-year-old student from Hünibach was the winner. Brunner is a visual communication student at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW and the judges were impressed by her 'passion for creativity and design'. Ahead of the 2025 contest, which will kick off on 13 May, Lumo will walk around the city centre of Basel and welcome Eurovision to the citizens of the host city. Switzerland is yet to announce who their entry will be to attempt to defend Nemo's title. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to take place in Basel, starting on 13 May with the final on 17 May.
Euronews
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Eurovision 2025 mascot revealed
This year's Eurovision Song Contest has revealed its official mascot, the winner of an open-call competition at a Swiss university. Ahead of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest set to be held in Basel after Nemo won last year's competition with 'The Code', the competition has announced its latest mascot. Lumo is the new mascot. The orange and blue heart-shaped creature has been designed to 'showcase the beating heart of Eurovision'. Design features of Lumo point to the values of both Eurovision and Switzerland's hosting. From its untamed curly hair symbolising the euphoria of the contest to its bright colouring and big eyes positioning it as a 'joyous ambassador of musical diversity and togetherness.' Following on from the historic moment last year when Nemo became the first non-binary musician to enter and win Eurovision, Lumo is also a gender neutral figure aimed to bring 'people of all ages and backgrounds together through the power of music' – a goal in line with the contest's long standing inclusive audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SRG SSR (@ Lumo was chosen as the winner of an open-call competition at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW and the Basel School of Design. Over 1,100 students were asked to submit creative ideas for the mascot. 36 unique designs were submitted and judged by a jury of Basel 2025 representatives. Lynn Brunner, a 20-year-old student from Hünibach was the winner. Brunner is a visual communication student at the Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW and the judges were impressed by her 'passion for creativity and design'. Ahead of the 2025 contest, which will kick off on 13 May, Lumo will walk around the city centre of Basel and welcome Eurovision to the citizens of the host city. Switzerland is yet to announce who their entry will be to attempt to defend Nemo's title. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to take place in Basel, starting on 13 May with the final on 17 May.
