Finnish broadcaster Yle has received a petition asking for Finland to boycott Eurovision 2025. The petition also calls for the expulsion of Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest.
Over 10,000 signatures collected for boycott petition
According to the broadcaster, a total of 10,000 people signed the petition calling for the boycott of Eurovision. It comes with just weeks to go until Erika Vikman goes to Basel to represent the nation with “ICH KOMME”.
The petition was arranged by the Finnish Palestine Network, and presented to Yle in a ceremony last month. Of the thousands of signatures, some 500 signatories are made up of music and cultural professionals. These include the likes of Finnish culture heavyweights including Noora Dadu, Malla Malmivaara and Melo. Dadu explained to members of the press in the ceremony:
We demand that Yle demand that the EBU exclude Israel, which practices genocide and apartheid, from Eurovision or to stay out itself. In practice, we demand that Yle act the same way it did with Russia in 2022.
Accepting the petition, Yle’s Director of Creative Content and Media Johanna Törn-Mangs said:
We understand that Finns are concerned about the situation in Gaza. It is good that we can hear what discussions are taking place regarding Eurovision. Yle is not boycotting Eurovision because an Israeli TV company is allowed to participate in Eurovision. However, this does not mean that we accept military actions or the human suffering they cause in any situation.
The petition to boycott the competition follows similar moves in Spain to call for Israel’s exclusion from the Contest. Members of Parliament called on RTVE’s President José Pablo López to demand Israel be banned from the competition. López said he would table the initiative with the Board of Directors.
The story of Eurovision 2025 so far
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zurich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted as the final two cities. After the shortlist, it was revealed that Basel will host Eurovision 2025, at St. Jakobshalle with the shows taking place on May 13, 15 and 17.
Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2025!
News Source: Yle
Photo Credit: Antti Haanpää / Yle
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