Eric Saade about the fuss about the Eurovision Song Contest performance: ‘Wanted to show my origins’ | Eurovision Song Contest

“This was just my way of showing some of my heritage, which is important in a world like this,” Saade wrote on Instagram on Wednesday. “My father gave me that kaffiya when I was little, so I would never forget where the family came from. Little did I know that it would one day be called ‘a political symbol’ by the EBU.”

Saade, who has a father of Lebanese-Palestinian descent and a mother of Swedish descent, opened the first semi-final on Tuesday. He wore a so-called kaffiya on his wrist. This scarf is often used as a headgear in Arab countries.

The artist has also spoken out several times on social media against the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Political statements, including wearing the scarf, are prohibited according to the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) previously said it was 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 newspaper Aftonbladet. The organization did not post Saade’s performance, as the only artist of the evening, on its social media channels.

In Saade’s eyes, the EBU’s criticism is “plain racism”. “I wanted to be inclusive and wear something that is authentic to me, but the EBU seems to think my ethnicity is controversial,” writes the Swedish singer, who came third in 2011 with the song Popular.

“That says nothing about me, but everything about them. I stand by this year’s Eurovision Song Contest slogan: United by music! I can only hope for some change in the future,” continues Saade, who did not wear the scarf during the rehearsals.

This year the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Malmö, Sweden. The second semi-final, in which Joost Klein participates on behalf of the Netherlands, is Thursday. The grand final takes place on Saturday.