Eurovision is dead
Well, that was a painful post title, but it is now time to open up about it and also share my opinion on this dramatic end for our beloved contest. Initially, I was planning to release a video on it, but in the end, a blog post would be better, at least for now.
Eurovision has been part of my life since early 2009. I was just starting high school, and I discovered this music competition through a Turkish friend who randomly sent me Hadise’s “Dum Tek Tek” song and asked me if I would vote for it. I said, How can you even vote for this song? And then this is how everything started.
Years passed, and my passion for this song contest grew larger and larger, to the point that I opened my first blog, started writing for renowned Eurovision-related publications, and was nominated as an official blogger by TVR, the Romanian broadcaster, for two consecutive years. And all of this was happening in my high school era.
I loved it. And I loved what Eurovision was all about. For normal people, Eurovision was a one- or three-night event per year. For us, the hardcore fans, Eurovision was a whole-year event, starting with the national selection season, followed by concerts, rehearsals, and interviews, culminating in the Eurovision week. After that, it always followed PED - the post-Eurovision Depression until September, when any song released was eligible to take part in the next competition.
I know Eurovision has developed various reputations throughout the years, good and bad, but the essence of it was amazing. Connecting all of us through one single element: music.
Do I think Eurovision was also about politics? Yes, of course. I never denied it. For me personally, the voting part was the most (until now) unpleasant thing about the competition. We have seen bribed juries, extreme diaspora manipulation (Hi, Ukraine!), and even Eurovision news websites receiving financial “support” from certain countries. (not naming them, but they know pretty damn well who they are).
But all of this, until this whole Israeli drama was unleashed on the contest two years ago. Deep inside, I had hoped that Eurovision could still be saved, but when the inner core of the competition (EBU) supports political agendas, the final outcome is, of course, predictable.
We are now in December 2025. After almost 16 years, Eurovision has officially died. For me and for many other fans. I am not even trying to sound dramatic or anything, but how can we just celebrate music with a country that is currently committing genocide? It's just beyond me. I understand that there are ignorant people out there, but for all of you who have some understanding of the current situation, please be aware that this was never okay.
It was proven in many articles and YouTube videos that the Israeli government had direct involvement in the competition in the past two years. Pumping millions of euros into aggressive campaigns to do their whitewashing through Eurovision. And did it work? Yes, absolutely. Two years in a row, Israel ended in the top 2, getting closer and closer to stealing the victory.
This month, we have seen the true face of EBU, when they basically prioritized Israel over 5 different countries that decided to stand up and withdraw from the competition. What did the EBU do? They wished them farewell and prioritized Israel’s participation even more.
So yeah, Eurovision is kinda over for me. I will always remember the nice and amazing memories I have made in the past 16 years. And of course, all those amazing people and friends I have made through this competition. However, I personally cannot be part of this whitewashing any longer. I also hope you will consider this.
I look forward to continuing with new hobbies. I will still report on Melodifestivalen next year; however, I do hope Sweden and SVT will reconsider sending the winning act to Eurovision.
In the end, I wish Israel will have their craved victory in Vienna next year, because this is exactly what those 34 broadcasters deserve. A big poopoo in the face when they will receive yet another 357 points from the “extremely fair and not manipulated” televote. I’m sure this will get Mr. Martin Green pretty excited for his telaviv experience.
For all of you, who have decided to say goodbye to Eurovision, you are strong and amazing in any single way possible. I know it will be hard, but life will continue one way or another. :)
Flo