Today at 22 In the Swedish city of Malmö, the battle for the main prize of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest – the crystal microphone – begins. Cyprus, Serbia, Lithuania, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Slovenia, Finland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Australia, Portugal and Luxembourg will compete in the first semi-final (countries listed in order of appearance). To our southern neighbor Sylvester Belt with the composition Luktelk is predicted to reach the finals. All events can be followed on LTV1.
Fulfillment of dreams
Latvian representative Don with a song Hollow will perform in the second semi-final on May 9, where Malta, Albania, Greece, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Austria, Armenia, San Marino, Georgia, Belgium, Estonia, Israel, Norway and the Netherlands will also participate. During the rehearsals, the singer was seen in a slightly different visual image – in the national selection of Latvia Supernova he had changed the blue outfit he was wearing, which was described on social media as a prison or medical worker’s outfit, for pants of the same color and muscle-shaped armor.
On the platform TikTok in the published video, the artist draws parallels between his image and a science fiction thriller RoboCop the main character. “Dreams come true. One of my favorite childhood memories is watching this movie,” explains Don, whose performed ballad tells about inner insecurities. Where once superhero power was needed to fight external adversaries, now superhero power is needed to win victories within oneself.
From each semi-final, 10 countries will enter the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, joined by the Big Five: France, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, and the host nation (this is the seventh time Sweden has hosted the Eurovision Song Contest). Latvia’s chances of getting out of the semi-finals are not rated too high, but as they say, hope dies last.
The possibility of rematch
Rehearsals on the Malmö Arena stage have brought changes to the bookmakers’ predictions. Before their start, the Swiss representative Nemo with the composition was considered the main favorite The Code, which offers a three-minute journey through different musical styles – from rap to opera. «Somewhere between 0 and 1/there I found my kingdom/my heart beats like a drum», using the binary code analogy, the artist who identifies himself as a non-binary person (they) reveals his experience in the lyrics of the song.
Dressed in a fluffy pink fur coat and boots during rehearsals for their performance, they balanced on a round moving platform and lost their leading position in the bookmakers’ predictions, which was held by Croatia’s Baby Lasagna with the composition Rim Tim Tagi Dim about a country boy who wants to sell his cow and leave home to seek his fortune in the world. “I’m sad for all of you, but most of all for the cat,” the artist admits in the lyrics of the song.
This soulful tale of a spridish has the potential to avenge his musical brother, Finnish artist Käärijä’s runner-up finish at last year’s Eurovision Song Contest with a composition Cha Cha Cha (the Finnish artist will perform at this year’s beach festival Summer Sound Liepaja).
Already heard words
The Italian Angelina Mango with a song appears in the third place in the bookmakers’ predictions La noiahere is a Ukrainian duo alyona alyona & Jerry Heil with composition Teresa & Maria. Their performance is created by the best-known Ukrainian director Tanu Muinjo. She has produced videos for pop stars such as Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Styles, Cardi B, Sam Smith, Katy Perry and more. Changes in bookmakers’ predictions allow you to hope for unexpected results in both the semi-finals and the final. It is possible that a dark horse will grow further than expected.
The performances of the participants will also be complemented by several performances by guest artists. In the second semi-final, three singers will take the stage of the Malmö Arena – among them will be Turkish Sertaba Erener, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga in 2003.
It should be noted that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary Swedish quartet ABBA for success in this musical competition with composition Waterloo. A documentary film has been created in honor of this fact ABBA – Against the Odds, which represents the band’s path to success. Anyone interested can visit the center of Malmö pop-up museum ABBA World. On the other hand, replay.lsm.lv offers the opportunity to watch the concert film ABBA about the phenomenon of the group at the zenith of its success during the Australian tour.
Current information can be followed on the website eurovision.tv.
