Bambi Thug, Ireland’s representative for Eurovision 2024, did not take part in Saturday’s final rehearsal due to a “situation” that occurred early in the session which led to a request for an urgent meeting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). .
“The situation occurred while we were waiting for the artists to go on stage and participate in the parade, so I asked to urgently draw the attention of the EBU. The EBU took this issue seriously and we discussed what measures to take,” they explained on social networks. , Bambi Thug, is an artist who identifies as non-binary.
Thug apologized to fans for missing rehearsal and ended his message with a note hinting at his presence in the finale: “Hope to see you on stage tonight.”
Ireland was not the only country absent from the parade: Greek and Swiss representatives Marina Satti and Nemo also did not take the stage at this point in the rehearsal.
These absences came shortly after Dutch representative Joost Klein was disqualified by the EBU from the festival for an “incident” with a person from the competition’s production team, which is being investigated by Swedish police.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior at our event. […]. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered a violation of the rules,” the EBU explained in a statement.
Candidates from Greece, Switzerland and the Netherlands took part in a press conference after the second semi-final, along with the representative of Israel, whose presence throughout the festival was challenged by her country’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
During the press conference, the media covered some episodes, such as when Marina Satti pretended to be asleep during the Israeli intervention.
At the same time, a Polish journalist asked the Israeli singer about her responsibility in the context of the highest level of terrorist activity that Malmö was experiencing: “Being here, you pose a security threat and a danger to everyone! Do not you mind?” – asked the Pole.
When faced with this question, the moderator of the press conference told Golan that if he did not want to, he would not have to answer. “Why not?” Jost Klein then loudly intervened and the episode quickly went viral on social media.
Dutch radio and television company Avrotros has called Joost Klein’s exclusion from the Eurovision final “disproportionate” following an incident unrelated to Israel’s controversial participation.
In a statement sent to AFP, Avrotros said it was “shocked by the decision” of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). “We deeply regret this situation and will return to this matter at a later date.”
The EBU, which oversees the competition, explained that Swedish police were investigating “a complaint made by a female member of the crew following an incident on the night of Thursday’s semi-final.”
“While the litigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate for you to continue to participate in the competition,” the organization said in a statement.
Dutch Secretary of State for Culture Fleur Greper said in a message posted on social media that the EBU’s decision was “extremely difficult, especially for Joost, but a disappointment for all” of the Dutch people.
During a press conference following the competition’s semi-finals on Thursday, 26-year-old Joost Klein attracted attention when he objected to being placed next to Israeli representative Eden Golan, covering his face with the Dutch flag at various times during the conference.
However, according to the EBU, his exclusion is not related to his attitude towards other delegations.
Joost Klein already missed the dress rehearsal for the final on Friday.
When asked by AFP, Swedish police confirmed that they had opened an investigation into “intimidation” and that the case had been referred to the prosecutor’s office.
This year’s officially apolitical Eurovision was rocked by war in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
Young Israeli singer Eden Golan, 20, won a spot in the final with the song “Hurricane”, the original version of which had to be changed because it was believed to allude to the Hamas attack in Israel on October 7.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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