Analysis: Should the Eurovision Song Contest be politicised? (DW)
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DW’s Bernd Riegert writes: “Israel, has presented its hosting of Eurovision as evidence of what a tolerant and cosmopolitan democracy it is.
There were calls by some activists for artists to boycott the 2019 Eurovision in Israel. But all 41 registered artists showed up as planned to represent their home countries. Fewer tourists and fans than expected traveled to Israel. However, this may have less to do with political questions or the country’s security situation and more with absurdly expensive tickets, hotel rooms and transport costs.
The events make the Eurovision a political event (however) it has always been this way: After World War II, the contest became a symbol of reconciliation in Western Europe. After the fall of the Iron Curtain, it stood for the unity of east and west. The musical competition has often been ahead of its time, politically speaking. It always had more members than the European Union, and even included communist-era Yugoslavia. And, 40 years ago, Israel joined.
North African and Arabic states are also members of the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual music competition. But none, with the exception of Morocco, have ever participated, as they object to Israel’s membership.
Back in the 1960s, there were political protests against Spain’s military dictatorship at the time during Eurovision. And, more recently, Russia’s conflict with Georgia and Ukraine, and tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, have similarly drawn politics the “apolitical”l pop festival.
When it comes to Israel, everything is political. And, often, completely unrelated issues are connected to or conflated with the Middle East conflict, or questions of anti-Semitism.
Boycotting and excluding people from Eurovision does not seem very promising. Openly discussing and critiquing different viewpoints, however, does. But let’s not get too political. At the end of the day, Eurovision is just one big party.
