Eurovision is an international song competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union in which each participating country submits an original song to be performed live and transmitted to national broadcasters. Citizens of competing countries then cast votes for the other countries’ songs to determine a winner.
In other words, its a European version of American Idol, but with more bling and drama. Typically, the contest doesn’t get noticed much in this country. I follow the competition, as I am a fan or world music.
However, this year, Israeli Singer Eden Golan’s has been at the center of an amazing saga that began with her song, “October Rain”. Here is a look at the song, with an accompanying review (which was highly positive).
It appears the Israeli entry created quite a stir:
“October Rain” alludes to the victims of the Hamas October 7 attacks on southern Israel. More than 1,000 people died, and Hamas fighters took around 250 hostages—including women and children.The original lyrics to “October Rain” contained the following lyrics:They were all good children, every one of them.
As a concession to the complaints the entry was too political, the title was changed to “Hurricane” and some of the lyrics modified. Yet the passion and emotion remained.
Subsequently, the song, the singer, and Israel, became the targets of a massive protest in the Malmo, Sweden (where the Eurovision contest is being held this year). The High Priestess of the Climate Cult, Greta Thunberg, was one of the demonstrators.
Swedish police estimated that between 10,000 and 12,000 people took part in Thursday night’s demonstrations.Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined thousands of pro-Palestine protests in Malmo against Israel competing in the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday night, shortly before Israel was due to perform at the competition’s second semi final.Thunberg joined the protests at the Stop Israel demonstration, between Stortorget Square and Molleplatsen Park in the centre of the Swedish capital.The 21 year old activist was pictured wearing a keffiyeh, a scarf commonly associated as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.
Demonstrators disrupted rehearsals for the semifinals.
During Eden Golan’s rehearsals of her song Hurricane, which was reworked from an early track October Rain (thought to be a reference to the attack by Hamas), she was booed and there were reportedly shouts of ‘free Palestine’ on Wednesday.One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘The atmosphere inside the arena was horrible. You could feel the tension. Shouts of ‘free Palestine’ in the quiet parts. Booing audible in places. People arguing in the standing section.’Another person, who posted a video of boos raining down on the singer, added: ‘The atmosphere was so uncomfortable.’
At one point, Golan was ordered to stay in her hotel room by Israel’s national security agency. Eventually, a 100-car police escort was assembled to take her safely to the semifinals.
Under such pressure, Golan gave a performance of a lifetime.
Clearly, the international audience was spellbound by her singing, as Israel jumped from #8 to #2 in the rankings and Golan is now heading to the Grand Final.
The Italian public broadcaster appeared to accidentally reveal live on air the results of its country’s televote, handing Israel a whopping 39% of the votes, way ahead of the second vote-getter, Netherlands, which got just 7%. The vote distribution in the semifinals is not meant to be released until after the final, and the percentages are not generally published. The EBU did not respond to a request for comment.At a press conference for those who advanced to the finals, held shortly after the show, Golan said that she felt “overwhelmed with emotions — it’s truly such an honor to be here on stage, performing and showing our voice and representing us with pride and making it to the finals.”
I am looking forward to seeing the next round, and hope Golan continues safely and successfully in her career.
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