The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 has descended upon Malmö, Sweden, marking a historic milestone as the competition returns to the birthplace of ABBA’s legendary victory 50 years ago. This year, Sweden’s rich legacy in Eurovision takes center stage once more, conducted by the hilarious Petra Mede, who is conducting her third Eurovision (previously in 2013 and 2016) and the actress Malin Åkerman.
Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede hosting Eurovision this year.
Since ABBA’s groundbreaking win in 1974, Sweden has emerged victorious an impressive seven times in Eurovision history:
1974: ABBA with the song “Waterloo”
1984: Herreys with the song “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley”
1991: Carola with the song “Fångad av en stormvind”
1999: Charlotte Nilsson (later known as Charlotte Perrelli) with the song “Take Me to Your Heaven”
2012: Loreen with the song “Euphoria”
2015: Måns Zelmerlöw with the song “Heroes”
2023: Loreen with the song “Tattoo”
Notable among Sweden’s triumphs is Loreen, who clinched the crown twice, first in 2012 and then in 2023. She is the second performer after Johnny Logan (Ireland) to have won the competition twice to date, and if you watched the first semi-final you probably witnessed Johnny Logan singing Loreen’s hit Euphoria. Ireland, with an equally impressive seven victories, shares the spotlight with Sweden as a formidable contender.
Loreen
However, beyond the music, Eurovision remains a complex and often politically charged event. This year, despite the theme being “united by music”, discussions around Palestine have permeated the contest’s atmosphere, as the genocidal state of Israel is allowed to perform while Russia was disqualified after invading Ukraine in 2022.
Despite the EBU (European Broadcast Union) guidelines against political expressions, the issue of Palestinian solidarity has emerged. In the opening we could see the Swedish singer Eric Saade wearing a keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine. In a press conference, Bambie Thug, representing Ireland, said that they were forced by the EBU to remove a pro-Palestinian message written in Ogham on their body before the first semifinal. They said “it was very important to me because I’m pro-justice and pro-peace. Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to “crown the witch” only (which was an order from the EBU).” During the second semifinal the support to Palestine was noticeable during Israel’s performance when we were able to listen to the booing of the crowd.
Eric Saade wearing a keffiyeh
Malmö, a city renowned for its cultural vibrancy and inclusive spirit, is the perfect host for Eurovision 2024. After the first semifinal and as anticipation builds, among the top contenders generating buzz and captivating audiences across Europe we can mention Ireland, Croatia and Ukraine, as strong favorites this year. However, Olly Alexander, representing the UK, is also one of the favorites this year.
Luxembourg’s comeback after three decades adds an intriguing dynamic to Eurovision 2024. The return of this Eurovision veteran stirs nostalgia among longtime fans and injects fresh energy into the competition.
As we anticipate the grand spectacle in Malmö for the second semifinal and the final on Saturday, the city resonates with excitement and anticipation. From ABBA’s iconic victory to Loreen’s triumphs and beyond, Sweden’s influence on Eurovision is undeniable. This year, as the competition unfolds, we await with bated breath to witness the next chapter in Eurovision history.
Beyond the spotlight on the favorites, Eurovision 2024 is a celebration of cultural diversity and unity through music. The event serves as a reminder of the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together on a global stage.
Written by Oscar Peña