Eurovision 2025: A Stage for Music and the Shadows of War

The Eurovision Song Contest, held this year in Switzerland, has become a stage where the celebration of music intertwines with the harsh realities of global conflict. The war in Ukraine casts a long shadow, as evidenced by the participation of the Ukrainian group ZIFFERBLAT, whose song reflects the ongoing conflict. One member shared, "Feder's father is on the war right now, very near to the front line." Meanwhile, the Israeli entry, Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the Gaza massacre, participated in a silent protest earlier in the week, a stark reminder of the ongoing violence. His mother, Shira Shapira, stated, "He really believed that music would make the world better." Adding to the complexity, new Eurovision rules prohibiting non-national flags have upset some loyal fans, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community. This year's contest, under the slogan "United by Music," presents a poignant juxtaposition of global unity and division.