10:12 Missing from Run-Through: The Irish Stick to the Story
In the land of melodies, Sweden, the most anticipated musical event of the year is currently unfolding. The Eurovision Song Contest has begun, and with it, the performances of 25 nations. The absence of Dutch performer Joost Klein has paved way for the remaining contestants to showcase their talents.
Bambie Thug from Ireland and Marina Satti of Greece have gathered the limelight, as both of them missed the dress rehearsal. No official reason was given for their absence. Bambie Thug, however, stirred up a buzz recently by championing the exclusion of Israel from the event.
At 21:46, the police arrested a Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg. This took place amidst a clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and law enforcement officers. Immediately, the energy in the air became tense as violence flared around. Greta Thunberg, renowned for her stance on climate change, was detained by the authorities.
The spectacle kicked off with performances from Ukraine and Germany, rightfully earning applause from the audience. Luxembourg's act followed, paving the way for the Netherlands' entrance. Unfortunately, their performance was skipped. During the Israeli singer Eden Golan's song "Hurricane," whistles could be heard from the crowd. Other than that, her performance was flawless.
Remaining outside the arena, agitated pro-Palestinian protesters shouted "Shame on you" at the spectators. Tensions were high; there were multiple altercations between the protesters and police as they tried to reach the security area. Eventually, the police managed to prevent them from breaking through.
The procession commenced with each nation marching onto the stage, dancing to Swedish pop anthems. Israel's Eden Golan entered the spotlight, causing some restlessness at first. However, her outfits remain immaculate.
Foreign Minister of Israel, Israel Katz, expressed his support for Eden Golan on X moments before the grand finale. "Eden valiantly stands her ground in the face of incredible hatred and anti-Semitism," he wrote. "Today, we demonstrate to all the bigots who we are." Israel's presence and contribution were met with significant resistance during the run-up to the festival due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Desires for Israel's boycott were widespread.
Keep tabs on the event with our live ticker as this grand musical extravaganza continues to unfold.
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Source: www.ntv.de
