Tagged Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision 2019: What the song contest is all about, and why it’s being held in Israel

The logo of the Eurovision Song Contest is displayed during the 2019 national selection show, in Kiev, Ukraine, Feb. 23, 2019. (STR/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
May 8, 2019 / Josefin Dolsten, JTA

(JTA) —It’s glitzy. It’s kitschy. It’s like a musical Olympics or “American Idol” on steroids. Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest, an annual pageant in which all of Europe (and some of its neighbors) send national representatives to  compete for the best forgettable pop song and most unforgettable outfits.… Read more »

Eurovision on track in Tel Aviv despite threat of rockets
May 6, 2019 / Marcy Oster, JTA

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Performers scheduled to take the stage next week at the Eurovision Song Contest have begun rehearsing the contest’s venue in Tel Aviv despite the threat of rockets. Among the countries whose performers have held rehearsals onstage at the Tel Aviv Expo on Saturday and Sunday are… Read more »

This band of musicians with disabilities wanted to represent Israel at Eurovision. Their Sabbath observance became a problem.

The Shalva Band had a shot at becoming Israel's representative at the Eurovision contest. (Screenshot from YouTube)
February 6, 2019 / Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — The Shalva Band, a group of musicians with various disabilities, didn’t expect to advance so far in the competition to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in May. But they made it all the way to the finals — and won’t find out if they… Read more »

Jewish dentist represents France in world’s most-watched song contest

Amir Haddad, a French-Israeli dentist, will represent France at this year’s Eurovision contest. (Courtesy of Eurovision)
May 11, 2016 / Lior Zaltsman, JTA

(JTA) — The Eurovision Song Contest — the world’s most popular televised singing competition, which pits singers from 43 countries against one another in the battle for the year’s best pop song — is being held this week. France’s representative is a 31-year-old Israeli singer, Amir Haddad, who goes by the… Read more »