By Isabelle Yer Carlson
COPENHAGEN (AP) — The Eurovision Song Contest, a music-fest watched by some 200 million people, kicked off Sunday with its “turquoise carpet” ceremony in Malmö, Sweden, in what fans say was a massive celebration with half a dozen people. -It’s an open year. Countries that have a chance to win the title.
Bookmakers have Croatia, Switzerland and Ukraine as the top three favorites to win, while Spotify’s streaming data suggests a stronger chance for the Netherlands, Italy or host country Sweden.
“This year is very exciting because there are four or five countries that have a really good chance of winning,” William Lee Adams, editor of Eurovision fan site Wiwibloggs, told Reuters.
“Eurovision is very boring when you already have a clear favorite month. But there is a lot left to play for this year.”
This week Croatia’s contestant Baby Lasagna overtook Switzerland as the bookies’ favorite with the song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”, about a young Croatian who seeks to become a “city boy” with better opportunities. leaves home.
The song contest, which has been held since 1956, has increasingly embraced inclusivity and acceptance among the LGBTQ community. That’s the theme of 24-year-old Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, who will perform “The Code,” a drum-and-bass, opera, rap and rock song about his journey of self-discovery as non-binary.
Ukraine, which won the contest two years ago after being invaded by Russia, is represented this year by 28-year-old duo Alyona Alyona and 32-year-old Jerry Heil with “Teresa & Maria”, a strong folk-influenced pop song. Dance beats and fast paced rap. The winner usually hosts the following year, but last year’s competition was held in Britain due to the war.
Another top contender is 26-year-old Joost Klein from the Netherlands, who blends pop melodies with happy hardcore with his song “Europapa.” Klein, who lost his parents at a young age, says the song is about an orphan who travels across Europe trying to find himself, because his father taught him to believe in a Europe without borders. Was.
Also in the running is Italy’s 23-year-old Angelina Mango with her song “La Noia”, which translates to “Boredom”. Host nation Sweden is being tipped for back-to-back wins, represented by Norwegian twin brothers Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsson on their song “Unforgettable”.
Four-time winners Israel, represented by 20-year-old Eden Golan, is also ranked in the top 10 by bookmakers. Their song “Storm” was Israel’s third proposed entry after the European Broadcasting Union rejected two songs deemed political. Spotify Technology SA
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