May 11th 2024.
The 68th Eurovision Song Contest was a night to remember as Swiss singer Nemo took home the coveted title with their powerful performance of "The Code". This operatic pop-rap ode was not just a celebration of music, but also a journey towards embracing Nemo's nongender identity. With this victory, Nemo became the first nonbinary winner in the contest's history, which dates back to 1956.
It was a tight competition as Nemo beat out Croatia's Baby Lasagna for the top spot. The final results were determined by a combination of points from national juries and viewers all around the world. When Nemo's name was announced as the winner, they were filled with gratitude and said, "Thank you so much." They also shared their hopes for the contest to continue standing for peace and dignity for every person.
The Eurovision Song Contest was held in the Swedish city of Malmo, and it was a night filled with excitement and entertainment. However, it also had its share of challenges. This past year, there were large protests against the participation of Israel, which overshadowed the joyous atmosphere of the event. Additionally, there was an incident involving Dutch competitor Joost Klein, who was expelled from the contest due to a backstage altercation.
Despite these challenges, Nemo emerged victorious among 24 other contestants, who all gave their best performances in front of a live audience of thousands and an estimated 180 million viewers worldwide. Each contestant had three minutes to captivate the audience with their catchy tunes and eye-popping spectacle. From rock and disco to techno and rap, the musical styles were diverse and impressive.
The contest's return to Sweden, the home of last year's winner Loreen, was a special moment, as it marked 50 years since ABBA's iconic win with "Waterloo". Although ABBA was not present in person, their digital "ABBA-tars" from the ABBA Voyage stage show made a memorable appearance. As the votes were being cast and counted, a trio of former Eurovision winners, including Charlotte Perrelli, Carola, and Conchita Wurst, took the stage to sing "Waterloo".
Other notable performances included identical twins Marcus and Martinus from Sweden, who opened the competition with their upbeat song "Unforgettable". Ukrainian duo alyona alyona & Jerry Heil delivered a powerful tribute to their war-torn country with "Teresa & Maria". German balladeer Isaak and Luxembourg chanteuse Tali also gave stunning performances. Israeli singer Eden Golan faced a mix of boos and cheers as she took the stage with her power ballad "Hurricane", which ended up placing fifth in the competition.
Eurovision is known for its eclectic mix of musical genres, and this year was no different. Lithuania's Silvester Belt charmed the audience with his affable crooning, while Estonia's 5Miinust x Puuluup brought a unique pop-zombie folk fusion featuring the traditional stringed instrument, talharpa. Greek singer Marina Satti and Armenia's Ladaniva both incorporated folk elements into their power-pop performances, while Britain's Olly Alexander delivered an upbeat dance track called "Dizzy".
The contest also featured some quirky and unforgettable performances, such as Finland's Windows95man, who emerged from a giant egg wearing very little clothing, and Ireland's gothic Bambie Thug, who summoned a demon on stage and even brought a scream coach to Malmo. Additionally, Spain's Nebulossa boldly reclaimed a term used as a slur against women with their song "Zorra".
Nemo and Baby Lasagna were both fan favorites going into the competition, with Baby Lasagna's song "Rim Tim Tagi Dim" addressing the issue of young Croatians leaving their country in search of a better life. However, Eurovision's motto of "united by music" was overshadowed by protests and dissent this year. Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets, demanding a boycott of Israel and a cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza war.
The tension and nerves were evident throughout the evening, and even some artists were absent from the final dress rehearsal. However, they all appeared on stage for the final show and delivered incredible performances. French singer Slimane cut short his ballad "Mon Amour" during the dress rehearsal to give a speech about unity and love, but he did not repeat it during the final. Many other contestants also made references to peace and love in their performances.
As last year's Eurovision champion Loreen expressed, this year's event was not without its challenges, but it was also a reminder of the power of love and music to heal and bring people together. In the end, Nemo's victory was a celebration of individuality and inclusivity, and a testament to the spirit of Eurovision. As Nemo said, "This contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person."
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