Just over a week after he was selected to be representing Finland at Eurovision 2024, Windows95man has been given time to evaluate whether he wants to go to Eurovision.
Windows95man keeping options open
Before the selection began, it was revealed that Jesse Markin would not represent Finland in Malmö if he won UMK. This was due to the ongoing participation of Israel in the competition, to which he had objected.
Now that Windows95man has been declared the winner, broadcaster Yle has given him time to decide on whether he wishes to take on the responsibility of the Contest. Since his win, he has expressed his doubts about taking part in the show.
On Monday (February 12th), speaking to Yle aam, Windows95man said he would be content with going to Sweden to represent the country. However, just one day later, he expressed in another interview that he was unsure whether he would.
In order to avoid pushing the artist into a situation he is uncomfortable with, Yle has allowed Windows95man time to decide if the responsibility is worth it. Anssi Autio, director of UMK, said that the final decision is up to the duo.
Ymmärrän, ettei hän osaa tehdä lopullista päätöstä ihan yhdeltä istumalta. Tästä keskustellaan ja palataan asiaan, kun artisti on itsekin saanut asiaa vähän mietittyä. Tapaamme ensi viikon alussa ja silloin katsotaan, miten homma etenee.
UMK-voitto itsessään on jo iso tapahtuma artistin elämässä. Varmaan hänellä on tiukka tilanne.
I understand that they cannot make a final decision in one sitting. We will discuss this and come back to it when the artist himself has thought about it a bit. We will meet at the beginning of next week and then we will see how things progress.
The UMK award in itself is already a big event in the artist’s life. They must be in a tight spot.
Anssi Autio, UMK 2024 director
Should the duo decide that Eurovision is not for them, Autio revealed precautions were already in place. However, Anssi would not reveal more information as to whether the refusal would then go to UMK runner-up Sara Siipola.
That Eurovision Site is currently restricting its coverage of Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest for the foreseeable future. For more information on how our coverage is being affected, please read the following statement.
Finland’s Eurovision journey
Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points.
Finland’s most recent entry was “Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä. He won the first semi-final in Liverpool, thus qualifying for the final. At the close of voting, he gained a total of 526 points, earning them 2nd place – Finland’s second best result of all time. Käärijä received 376 points from the televote, and an extra 150 points from the juries.
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News Source: Yle
Photo Credit: Yle / UMK
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