International Musical Competition: Eurovision Chanson Festival - Which city will serve as the host for the ESC between Geneva and Basel?
If German fans had a say in selecting the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, their preferred choice could be clear: A spectacle in the Swiss border city of Basel, nestled just beyond German territory, would almost feel like a home game for them. However, beside Basel, Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland is also in contention. The decision will be made on Friday.
What's the gist?
At the ESC, more than 35 nations battle it out in a vibrant, sprawling fiesta to emerge as the most beloved music act. The participant number fluctuates annually, with each nation submitting one song into the competition. The triumphant nation's song's birthplace has the option to host the subsequent ESC, although they're not obligated to do so. In 2024, Nemo from Switzerland prevailed with the song "The Code".
Why Basel?
The city on the Rhine has opted for the tagline " transcending borders", which aligns perfectly with the ESC's internationally participative nature, as well as Basel itself, which constitutes a meeting point for Switzerland, Germany, and France. A harmonious collaboration among municipalities results in borders being virtually unnoticeable to residents. The city embodies "a local yet global atmosphere", as specified in the application.
Major events are par for the course in Basel: For instance, the annual Fasnacht festival showcasing pipers and drummers, which pulls in approximately 200,000 attendees. The Art Basel art fair attracts over 80,000 visitors, and major sporting events take place at the St. Jakobshalle, where the ESC would also occur, accommodating 12,000 individuals. Next door, in the football stadium, Basel proposes a public viewing area for 20,000 folks.
Why Geneva?
Geneva champions itself as "the most international city in Switzerland". Nearly 40% of the city's inhabitants on the Rhone are foreigners due to its roles as the United Nations European headquarters and home to numerous UN special organizations and numerous private aid organizations. Geneva is also a border city, almost entirely encircled by French territory.
"Geneva is the optimal place to serve as a nexus of ideas, cultures, and peace to host this significant event," claims city president Christina Kitsos. Moreover, Geneva houses the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the association of public service broadcasters that organizes the ESC. The EBU commemorates its 75th anniversary in 2025.
The festival would unfold at the Palexpo exhibition center near the airport. Regularly hosting large exhibitions and international congresses, it accommodates at least 15,000 spectators.
How accessible are Basel and Geneva?
Geneva gets high marks for the proximity of the exhibition center and the city to the airport, as well as its rail connection. Visitors could easily stroll from the arrival hall to Palexpo, and it takes only 7 minutes by train to reach the city. Basel can be reached from the smaller Basel-Mulhouse Airport on French soil via bus and train within 40 to 50 minutes. From Zurich Airport, it takes one and a half hours to reach Basel.
How receptive is Switzerland?
Not overly, it appears. According to a survey conducted by the Ringier media group among over 24,000 people in late July, 49% replied "no" or "not quite" when asked if they were open to the ESC happening in Switzerland.
What's the source of dissatisfaction?
Dissatisfaction stems from doubts regarding voters prioritizing political motives over musical competence during the on-stage performances, for instance, during the 2024 ESC in Malmo. Street protests condemning Israel's involvement due to the Gaza conflict took place. Others argue that the ESC serves as a platform for marginalized groups like non-binary individuals, which some find disconcerting. Nemo defines themselves as non-binary, neither leaning towards the feminine nor masculine gender.
Right-wing conservative politicians from the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the most influential party in Switzerland, have expressed opposition against the music event. "The funds would be better allocated towards disaster-stricken flood victims instead of squandered on this shameful rainbow production," SVP President Marcel Dettling told the "Tages-Anzeiger" in relation to a proposed public loan.
The Christian and nationalist conservative EDU wants to thwart loans through referendums. "What particularly bothers me is the increasing exclusion of Christianity from the public sphere, yet celebrations of Satanism and the occult seem to be meeting no boundaries," said MP Samuel Kullmann. However, the party is quite small, and it's deemed improbable that they will gather enough signatures for referendums.
Despite the reservations expressed by some political figures, German fans eagerly anticipate the possibility of attending the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel or Geneva, given its proximity and ease of travel from Germany. With Basel's tagline of "transcending borders" and its diverse events, it could offer a unique Eurovision experience for German fans, while Geneva's status as an international city and the location of the European Broadcasting Union might also draw their interest.
