Krishna Kumar Mishra

Vienna hosted the 70th edition of the world’s most-watched non-sporting cultural event, Eurovision, but participants from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland did not attend, protesting Israel’s inclusion amid the ongoing attacks in Gaza.

If I remember correctly, it was the largest boycott in Eurovision’s history, even though it is meant to bring countries together. I am a great fan of this event, which showcases some of the best music.

This year, Bulgaria secured victory when singer Dara won with her song Bangaranga. At 27, Dara became the first Bulgarian to win Eurovision, a contest Bulgaria has participated in since 2005.

Bangarangais an energetic party anthem inspired by kukeri, an ancient Bulgarian ritual in which men wear furry costumes, bells, and animal masks as they travel through villages. Dara described it as ‘a special energy that everyone has within themselves, a feeling that everything is possible.”

About 10,000 spectators watched the show at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, with an expected TV audience of over 100 million. The grand final saw musical acts representing 25 countries.

Israel and its supporters argue that antisemitism drives the boycott, while protesters contend that the event functions as art-washing for Palestinian atrocities. During Israel’s semi-final performance by Noam Bettan, chants of “stop the genocide” broke out.

Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, said that silence is not an option in the face of illegal war and genocide.

Nemo, the Swiss singer who won the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, said they were returning their trophy in protest against Israel’s presence in Vienna.

The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision and brings together 113 public service media organizations across 56 countries, has the motto ‘united by music’. This global spectacle drew 166 million viewers last year.

In 1956, the EBU staged the inaugural contest in Lugano, Switzerland, with just seven countries. The impetus was an idealistic desire to prevent any repetition of the Second World War. In fact, the Eurovision Song Contest was born out of that sense of ‘never again’. Its Swiss founder, Marcel Bezençon, had a vision: ‘Let’s bring Europe together.’

Israel’s entry Michelle, a romantic pop song about a toxic relationship performed by Noam Bettan, came in at second place.

The Bangaranga lyrics are as follows –

Come alive
Surrender to the blindin' lights
No one's gonna sleep tonight
Welcome to the riot

I'm the bangaran—Bangaranga, bangaranga, bangaranga
I'm the bangaran—Blindin' lights
Welcome to the riot (I, I, I, I)
I'm an angel, I'm a demon, I'm a psycho for no reason
I'm a mover, I'm a teaser, I don't follow, I'm the leader
Let me hype ya, hype ya up, let me hype ya up
I'ma, I'ma let you get so hooked, I'ma leave you shook

290. Dara became the first Bulgarian to win Eurovision