The Swiss city of Basel is hosting the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night, with Sweden widely tipped to take home the big prize.
Swedish comedy trio KAJ’s “Bara Bada Bastu”, a song about sweating in a sauna, is the bookmakers’ favorite to win this year’s edition of the annual concert, an unashamedly kitsch celebration of music and unity that can also often be highly politicized.
That is the case once again this year, amid discord over Israel’s participation in the event at the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel.
Which country is expected to win Eurovision 2025?
While Sweden is the hotly tipped favorite, the always unpredictable event could be won by Austria’s classically trained countertenor.
Performers from France, the Netherlands, Finland and Israel have also been touted as contenders who could deliver an upset.
The 26 songs that will be performed, including a Portuguese guitar ballad, an alternative rock band from Lithuania, Austrian opera and a Latvian choir, showcase a broad range of European music.
The winner will be decided by viewers’ votes and those of a jury, whose votes have already been recorded based on the untelevised dress rehearsal on Friday.
Israel’s participation draws protests
Though Eurovision is billed as a celebration of European unity, rivalries and friendships often come to the fore when the viewers’ voting begins following the two hours’ of concert performances.
Despite attempts to focus on the glitz and glamor, politics are never far from the surface.
Israel’s participation in particular has been controversial, with pro-Palestinian protests being held in Basel against Israel’s war in Gaza. Pro-Israel protests were also held.
The Israeli entrant, Yuval Raphael — a survivor of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks — will be performing a song entitled “New Day Will Rise”.
Thousands descend on Basel
Another aspect to watch out for is whether Celine Dion — the contest’s winner in 1988 when she represented Switzerland — will make an appearance.
The Canadian star has been struggling with Stiff Person Syndrome, a painful autoimmune disorder, but there have been rumors she might make an emotional return to Eurovision.
Organisers said more than 500,000 people had gathered in Basel for Eurovision week.
Around 36,000 were due to watch the show at the soccer stadium across the street from the arena where the contest is being held.
“Everyone [is] united by music,” Basel’s project leader Beat Lauchli said.
Edited by: Rana Taha
