May 11th 2024.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest has come to an end and the winner is none other than the talented Swiss singer, Nemo. Their powerful ode, "The Code", which combines elements of opera and rap, celebrates Nemo's journey towards embracing their nongender identity. It was a tough competition, but Nemo managed to beat out Croatia's Baby Lasagna for the top spot by receiving the most points from a combination of national juries and viewers from all around the world.
Nemo's victory is even more special as they are the first nonbinary winner in the history of Eurovision, which has been around since 1956. It was a historic moment for both Nemo and the contest. As the result was announced, Nemo expressed their gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much." They also shared their hope that the contest would continue to stand for peace and dignity for all individuals.
The final took place in the Swedish city of Malmo, following a tumultuous year for the popular pan-continental pop competition. Large street protests erupted against Israel's participation, overshadowing the otherwise joyous event and bringing attention to the war in Gaza. In fact, just hours before the final, one of the contestants, Dutch performer Joost Klein, was expelled from the competition due to a backstage altercation that was being investigated by the police.
Nemo was up against 24 other finalists, each of whom had three minutes to captivate the live audience and an estimated 180 million viewers with their catchy tunes and eye-catching performances. The musical styles ranged from rock and disco to techno and rap, with some contestants even combining multiple genres. This year's contest also saw the return of Sweden, home of last year's winner Loreen, who famously won with the iconic song "Waterloo" by ABBA.
Speaking of ABBA, the legendary band did not make an appearance at the contest, but their digital "ABBA-tars" from the ABBA Voyage stage show did. As the votes were being cast and counted, a trio of former Eurovision winners, Charlotte Perrelli, Carola, and Conchita Wurst, took to the stage to perform "Waterloo".
But it wasn't just about the music. The show was a mix of eclectic performances, from Lithuania's Silvester Belt, an affable young crooner, to Estonia's 5Miinust x Puuluup, who offered a pop-zombie folk hybrid featuring a traditional stringed instrument called the talharpa. Greece's Marina Satti and Armenia's Ladaniva incorporated folk songs and dance elements into their power pop performances, while Britain's Olly Alexander brought an upbeat dance track to the stage.
However, not all performances were lighthearted. Finland's Windows95man emerged from a giant onstage egg wearing very little clothing, while Ireland's gothic Bambie Thug summoned a demon and even brought a scream coach to Malmo. Spain's Nebulossa also made a statement with their song "Zorra", which boldly reclaimed a term used as a slur against women.
Nemo had been a fan favorite leading up to the contest, along with Baby Lasagna, whose song "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" addressed the issue of young Croatians leaving their country in search of a better life. However, this year's Eurovision was also met with controversy and protests. Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Malmo, demanding a boycott of Israel and a cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza war, which has claimed thousands of lives.
The tensions and nerves leading up to the final were palpable. Some artists even skipped the Olympics-style entrance at the start of the final dress rehearsal, though they all appeared for the live show. French singer Slimane even cut his performance short during the dress rehearsal to urge people to come together in love and peace.
But despite the challenges and divided opinions, Eurovision remains a celebration of Europe's diverse musical tastes and a platform for inclusivity and diversity, with a large LGBT following. As last year's winner Loreen said, "What heals trauma ... Does trauma heal trauma? Does negativity heal negativity? It doesn't work like that. The only thing that heals trauma for real — this is science — is love." And that's what Eurovision stands for—love, unity, and the power of music to bring people together.
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