Switzerland with Nemo wins Eurovision 2024

And in the end theEurovision Song Contest 2024 he wins it Swiss Nemo, the non-binary singer who came to Malmo, Sweden, to “build bridges” and to “defend the entire LGBTQIA+ community”, as he declared on the eve. Baby Lasagna, a bizarre name under which the favorite was hidden according to the bookmakers, didn't make it. Poised on a rotating sphere, from the stage of the Malmo Arena Nemo convinced everyone with his The Code, an original hybrid of pop, opera and electronica that talks about how he came to terms with his non-binary identity. In the usual geopolitical game of cross votes that not even Ursula Von Der Leyen could resolve, our Angelina Mango receives few votes from other countries with her Boredom, placed seventh, but brought home great applause and roars (and also a small show by Giulia Salemi who leads the dance in the press room: journalists who dance are a genre apart). Of course, it was the Rai news leak that put it at a disadvantage, as it had accidentally revealed our voting preferences (those who didn't vote won't have taken it well), it doesn't win the race but it is among the moral winners of Eurovision.

The case of Israel

While inside the Arena people danced amidst fires that were blazing everywhere, outside in the streets of Malmo the protests for Israel's participation in Eurovision continued from the afternoon, when thousands of people marched through the streets with Palestinian flags and keffiyeh around the neck. Among the protesters there was also Greta Thunberg, who was removed from outside the stadium during the evening. During the show, more booing at the Israeli singer Eden Golanwho imperturbably sings his Hurricaneoriginally called October Rain with clear references to the October 7 massacre by Hamas, which were then removed in the final version. In recent days Eden Golan was subjected to special security measures. Not even her colleagues had been kind to her: the protest of the Dutch Joost Klein and the yawns of the Greek Marina Satti. The Norwegian singer of Italian origins Alessandra Melewho was supposed to be the “spokeperson” for Norway (i.e. the person who announces who his country voted for) announced his withdrawal from the broadcast a few hours before the final, denouncing Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.

The most applauded

Inside the Malmo Arena, the evening began as always, with the parade of the 25 countries and the flags to be waved. The Swedes opened Marcus & Martinusthe Swedish duo with the house specialty, straight speaker and maximalist staging, full of LEDs Matrixand a little song Unforgettable, despite the name. Among the most applauded by the public in the arena were the Ukrainians Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heila former teacher turned singer and a rapper who bring a bit of politics to the stage, with their own Teresa and Maria, an appeal to the two saints with clear references to the war in Ukraine. Many applause also for the Swiss Nemo non-binary singing on a spinning sphere his emphatic, Greek-style pop Marina Satti and its sound collage that mixes traditional Greek melodies with a reggaeton rhythm and Persian and English instruments Olly Alexander, a young star wannabe-Mika. And of course a Baby Lasagnathe Croatian with the catchphrase that sticks in his head and questionable outfits.