7 mei 2024 om 23:05 Update: 2 uur geleden
Political statements are not allowed on the Eurovision Song Contest stage, but Eric Saade managed to get one through. And the Irish participant was asked at the last minute to remove expressions from their act.
With Eric Saade, who opened the first semi-final together with Chanel and Eleni Foureira, the expression was clearer than with Ireland. The Swedish singer, who came third in 2011 with Popular, wore a kaffiya on his wrist. Such a scarf is often used as headgear in Arab countries.
Saade, whose father is of Palestinian descent, has spoken out several times on social media against the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Still, the scarf was a surprise.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is disappointed in the singer. “We regret that Eric Saade has chosen to use his participation in this way,” the EBU wrote in an email to the Swedish Aftonbladet.
Ireland’s statement was a lot more subtle, but had been circulating on social media for days. While rehearsing, artist Bambie Thug’s face had the word ‘ceasefire‘ (ceasefire) in the Old Irish alphabet ogam.
Bambie Thug’s leg read ‘free Palestine‘ in the same script. But prior to the television broadcast, the artist was instructed to change the lyrics.
Eurovision Song Contest bans statement and overlooks one: ‘Painful’
Tags: Eric Saade political statement Eurovision Song Contest stage Eurovision Song Contest
