(11 May 2024)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 10 May 2024
1. Wide of arena
2. Wide of signage
3. Various of Eurovision fans
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 9 May 2024
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Vuletic, Historian/Author:
"Eurovision does unite Europe through music. It's one of the longest running and most popular television shows on the continent. There is no other event, no other cultural event which brings Europeans together quite like Eurovision does. So in that sense, it really does unite Europeans. I mean, just this moment where everyone is watching the same television show which is being broadcast live across 37 countries. That's something very special."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 10 May 2024
5. Various of Eurovision fans
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 9 May 2024
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Vuletic, Historian/Author:
"If we look at some of the entries that are most highly favored by the bookies, they're all entries that deal with political and social issues. Most of the songs are about romantic relationships, personal growth. About two thirds of the songs are about issues like that, the typical pop fare, but one third of the songs deal with political and social issues such as feminism, European integration, gender identity and I think they're the very interesting songs to look out for, especially because they're the most highly ranked by the bookies."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 10 May 2024
7. Mid of police
8. Mid of fans
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 9 May 2024
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Vuletic, Historian/Author:
"Politics has always influenced Eurovision. Whenever you have countries competing against each other, things are bound to get political and I think that's why Eurovision is so interesting. It's been held annually since 1956 and every year it's reflected the political zeitgeist in Europe."
10. Various of pro-Palestinian protest
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Dean Vuletic, Historian/Author:
"It's very different to last year when we saw the United Kingdom host on behalf of Ukraine and most Europeans are behind Ukraine in 2022. The audience, the viewing audience really expressed its support of Ukraine by giving the Ukrainian entry victory in that year's Eurovision. So it is different this year in that we see Europe divided over the war in Gaza."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Malmo, Sweden - 10 May 2024
12. Wide of person standing on sculpture
STORYLINE:
Historian and author of the book "Postwar Europe and the Eurovision Song Contest," Dean Vuletic believes the Eurovision Song Contest, where the final is to take place on Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo, brings together Europe through music although the current Israel-Hamas war could bring division.
"There is no other event, no other cultural event which brings Europeans together quite like Eurovision does," Vuletic told The Associated Press in Malmo, as preparations for the final took place.
"Whenever you have countries competing against each other, things are bound to get political and I think that's why Eurovision is so interesting," he added.
Many excited fans, some donned with sequins and spangles, are already gathering for the big event while others have taken to the streets to protest the Israel-Hamas war and Israel's involvement in the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.
Thirty-seven countries are entered in the contest and Sweden is hosting after Swedish singer Loreen won last year’s competition in Liverpool, England.
According to bookmakers, a leading contender is Swiss singer Nemo, who is performing a melodic, operatic song titled “The Code.”
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