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In a story that would likely draw focus if not for the pandemic and the major fighting in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank over the past week, Israel is currently competing in the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest which was delayed from last year.
Israeli representative Eden Alene will sing the song “Set Me Free,” which according to most betting sites is expected to fail to make it to Saturday’s final.
With international fans largely barred from attending the event in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the show is already significantly scaled down from normal and is far from the normal festive atmosphere.
Mike Corder
The 10 qualifying countries are announced during the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) May 18, 2021 - 3:51 PM
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) â After the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year s edition, the Eurovision Song Contest roared back to life Tuesday, spectacularly celebrating not just Euro beats, but also the opportunity for fans to watch the first semifinal live.
âWe are back, and boy does that feel good!â said Dutch presenter Chantal Janzen after 2019 s Dutch winner, Duncan Laurence, opened the show.
Out of the 16 acts who performed, 10 progressed to Saturdayâs grand final: Norway, Israel, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, Belgium and Ukraine.
First 10 acts qualify for Eurovision Song Contest final TIX from Norway performs at the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) | Photo: AP By MIKE CORDER Created: May 18, 2021 10:11 AM
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - After the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year s edition, the Eurovision Song Contest roared back to life Tuesday, spectacularly celebrating not just Euro beats, but also the opportunity for fans to watch the first semifinal live. We are back, and boy does that feel good! said Dutch presenter Chantal Janzen after 2019 s Dutch winner, Duncan Laurence, opened the show.
First 10 acts qualify for Eurovision Song Contest final
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ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) – After the COVID-19 pandemic halted last year’s edition, the Eurovision Song Contest roared back to life Tuesday, spectacularly celebrating not just Euro beats, but also the opportunity for fans to watch the first semifinal live.
“We are back, and boy does that feel good!” said Dutch presenter Chantal Janzen after 2019’s Dutch winner, Duncan Laurence, opened the show.
Out of the 16 acts who performed, 10 progressed to Saturday’s grand final: Norway, Israel, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, Belgium and Ukraine.
The show had trademark Eurovision elements – bombastic beats, big voices, power ballads, flamboyant costumes and some dress reveals.
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Israeli Eurovision contestant Eden Alene performed the song Set Me Free last night, a song whose title at least takes on a whole new meaning given current events.
Miraculously, despite social media calls to boycott Israel, Eden won one of the 26 final spots for the song contest on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, the following bit of brilliance was sent to me:
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