Classically trained countertenor JJ of Austria has won the 69th with his pop-opera song “Wasted Love.”
The Swiss city of Basel was hosting the final of the contest on Saturday night.
Yuval Raphael of Israel came in second with “New Day Will Rise,” and Tommy Cash of Estonia came in third with “Espresso Macchiato.”
Sweden’s entry KAJ had been the favorite in polls with its upbeat sauna song, “Bara Bada Bastu,” but the Scandinavians only ended up taking fourth place.
The 26 songs performed in Basel showcased a broad range of European music, including a Portuguese guitar ballad, an alternative rock band from Lithuania, Austrian opera, and a Latvian choir.
The winner was decided by a combination of viewer votes and the votes of a jury. The jury’s votes were recorded based on the untelevised dress rehearsal on Friday.
Israel’s participation draws protests
Though Eurovision is billed as a celebration of European unity, rivalries and friendships often come to the fore when the viewers’ voting begins following the two hours’ of concert performances.
Despite attempts to focus on the glitz and glamor, .
participation in particular has been controversial, with pro-Palestinian protests being held in Basel against Israel’s war in . Pro-Israel protests were also held.
The Israeli entrant, Yuval Raphael — a survivor of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks — was performing a song entitled “New Day Will Rise.”
Thousands descend on Basel
Fans eagerly awaited to see whether Celine Dion — the contest’s winner in 1988 when she represented Switzerland — would make an appearance, but the Canadian star ultimatley did not attend.
Dion has been struggling with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder, but there had been rumors she could make an emotional return to Eurovision.
Organizers said more than 500,000 people had gathered in Basel for Eurovision week.
Around 36,000 watched the show at the soccer stadium across the street from the arena where the contest is being held.
“Everyone [is] united by music,” Basel’s project leader Beat Lauchli said.
Edited by: Rana Taha, Saim Dušan Inayatullah
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