Performers representing countries across Europe and beyond took the stage in the first of two Eurovision semifinals in the Swedish city of Malmo, against a backdrop of both parties and protests.
Pro-Palestinian protests have been popping up at universities around the world, and in the last few days things have escalated at a number of those campuses. Columbia University called on police to shutdown the encampment on their university lawn and 300 people were arrested. At University of California Los Angeles, about 200 pro-Israel counter-protestors raided a pro-Palestinian encampment. To get first hand accounts of the protests, Brittany talks to two student journalists: Shaanth Nanguneri, an undergraduate reporter at UCLA, and Claire Davenport, a graduate reporter at Columbia University in New York.
Then, Eurovision may seem like a quaint, quirky event to Americans but it's a huge cultural event that easily surpasses the Super Bowl in terms of global viewership. And for an apolitical event, Eurovision can teach us a lot about geopolitics. This year, all eyes are on Israel, which is not European but has been a competitor since the 70s. With Israel's ongoing conflict in Gaza, there's a lot of politicking for and against its inclusion at the song contest. Brittany chats with Eurovision scholar Paul David Flood about Israel's controversial song and dance at Eurovision... and why Americans might want to pay attention.
Eden Golan's original song, titled "October Rain," has been renamed "Hurricane" after objections that it was not politically neutral. Israel's public broadcaster will reveal the amended song Sunday.
Dozens of countries will compete in the Eurovision grand final on Saturday. Electronic duo Tvorchi is representing Ukraine, which won last year. They spoke to NPR about their journey to Liverpool.
For the first time ever, viewers in the U.S. can vote for their favorite act in the lavish international spectacle that is the Eurovision Song Contest. Our critic shares his top 10 songs.
NPR's Daniel Estrin speaks with Daniel Estrin, lead singer of the band representing Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, and Daniel Estrin, lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band Hoobastank.
The contest will be staged next May in the birthplace of The Beatles after Britain was asked to hold the event in place of war-torn Ukraine, the designated host country.
Officials approached the U.K., this year's runner-up, after concluding that Russia's war makes Ukraine unfit to hold the competition. This isn't the first time the U.K. has stepped in to host.
Public broadcasters and security experts concluded it's not feasible for the war-torn country to host, organize and produce the event. They're now turning to the U.K., which placed second this year.
Kalush Orchestra's Oleh Psiuk tells NPR that representing Ukraine on the world stage is a huge responsibility. He hopes people will continue to support his country even after Eurovision ends.
Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra will compete in the final round of the competition on Saturday. Their song "Stefania" is about the singer's mom, but has taken on new meaning during the war.
