Switzerland rarely makes the headlines in the international press. In this country nestled in the heart of Europe, discretion is cultivated. It's almost a trademark: no excess, no flamboyance. This is the land of calm decisions and on-time trains. A haven for stars in search of anonymity. Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Tina Turner and many others came here in search of a little peace and quiet.
Switzerland rarely makes the headlines in the international press. In this country nestled in the heart of Europe, discretion is cultivated. It's almost a trademark: no excess, no flamboyance. This is the land of calm decisions and on-time trains. A haven for stars in search of anonymity. Charlie Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Tina Turner and many others came here in search of a little peace and quiet.
The Ukrainian outfit Ziferblat has been selected for the final of the Eurofight-2025, following the results of the first final, which took place on Tuesday, 13 June, in Basel, Switzerland. Gurth performed the folk-rock composition "Bird of Pray", which received the necessary support from viewers. In the other final on 15 June, Lithuania will be represented by Katarsis with the song "Tavo akys", which has already received the support of the city of Vilnius.
The Ukrainian outfit Ziferblat has been selected for the final of the Eurofight-2025, following the results of the first final, which took place on Tuesday, 13 June, in Basel, Switzerland. Gurth performed the folk-rock composition "Bird of Pray", which received the necessary support from viewers. In the other final on 15 June, Lithuania will be represented by Katarsis with the song "Tavo akys", which has already received the support of the city of Vilnius.
Expulsion from the Festival was one of the first punishments suffered by Russia after invading Ukraine
Expulsion from the Festival was one of the first punishments suffered by Russia after invading Ukraine
May 14 - The 1176th day of Ukraine's resistance to Russia's full-scale invasion. Hromadske is running a text-based online coverage of all the events of Russia's war against Ukraine. Read the previous main news here, watch video reports on YouTube Suspilne News.
May 14 - The 1176th day of Ukraine's resistance to Russia's full-scale invasion. Hromadske is running a text-based online coverage of all the events of Russia's war against Ukraine. Read the previous main news here, watch video reports on YouTube Suspilne News.
In her message, the Canadian star thanks Switzerland "this country believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something extraordinary" alluding to Eurovision. A few weeks ago, there were rumors that the star would be attending the final of this 69th edition of Eurovision. This message now leaves little room for doubt.
In her message, the Canadian star thanks Switzerland "this country believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something extraordinary" alluding to Eurovision. A few weeks ago, there were rumors that the star would be attending the final of this 69th edition of Eurovision. This message now leaves little room for doubt.
Performed in Polish and English, "Gaja" draws its inspiration from Greek mythology, referring to Gaia, the primordial goddess of the Earth. Since its release, the track has generated considerable excitement. The official video has accumulated over 10 million views on YouTube, and the song has been listened to over 2 million times on Spotify. It has also become one of the most viewed performances of Eurovision 2025 on the contest's official channel.
Performed in Polish and English, "Gaja" draws its inspiration from Greek mythology, referring to Gaia, the primordial goddess of the Earth. Since its release, the track has generated considerable excitement. The official video has accumulated over 10 million views on YouTube, and the song has been listened to over 2 million times on Spotify. It has also become one of the most viewed performances of Eurovision 2025 on the contest's official channel.
On May 13, the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 will be held in Basel, Switzerland, where Sweden (and Ukraine) will perform. Bookmakers predict Sweden will take first place: it could be the eighth victory for the country, which won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015, and 2023.
On May 13, the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 will be held in Basel, Switzerland, where Sweden (and Ukraine) will perform. Bookmakers predict Sweden will take first place: it could be the eighth victory for the country, which won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015, and 2023.
Today, 23:00 the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 will take place.
Today, 23:00 the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 will take place.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan has filed a complaint with Swiss police after an unidentified man made a gesture similar to throat slitting while the Israeli delegation was on the turquoise carpet of the Eurovision Song Contest. The country is represented this year by Yuval Raphael with the song New Day Will Rise.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan has filed a complaint with Swiss police after an unidentified man made a gesture similar to throat slitting while the Israeli delegation was on the turquoise carpet of the Eurovision Song Contest. The country is represented this year by Yuval Raphael with the song New Day Will Rise.
Montenegro is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by Nina Zizica (Nina Žižić), who already performed at Eurovision in 2013 alongside hip-hop duo Who See. Nina started her music career as a member of the girl group Negre.
Montenegro is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by Nina Zizica (Nina Žižić), who already performed at Eurovision in 2013 alongside hip-hop duo Who See. Nina started her music career as a member of the girl group Negre.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will arrive in Basel with an opening ceremony to kick off the week-long event. It will culminate in the Grand Final on 17 May.
The 69th Eurovision Song Contest will arrive in Basel with an opening ceremony to kick off the week-long event. It will culminate in the Grand Final on 17 May.
The idea for the first Eurovision Song Contest came from a Swiss director. But the contest was originally a technical test: could a live programme be broadcast across half of Europe? The test was a success – and Eurovision became one of the biggest entertainment shows in the world.
The idea for the first Eurovision Song Contest came from a Swiss director. But the contest was originally a technical test: could a live programme be broadcast across half of Europe? The test was a success – and Eurovision became one of the biggest entertainment shows in the world.
Eurovision vibe gets Swiss schoolkids songwriting
Eurovision vibe gets Swiss schoolkids songwriting
LRT English Newsletter – May 9, 2025.
LRT English Newsletter – May 9, 2025.
Ireland is asking the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is organizing the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, to start a discussion about the participation of Israel in the song contest.
Ireland is asking the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is organizing the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, to start a discussion about the participation of Israel in the song contest.
In 1988, Céline Dion won the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland with her now cult title "Ne Partez pas sans moi". This victory propelled the Quebec singer's international career to the interplanetary star she is today. 36 years after her, it was Switzerland's Nemo and his song "The Code" who won the 2024 edition of the contest. This year, it's the Swiss country's turn to host the competition, and its organizers were quick to mention the Canadian star's possible presence on the Basel stage.
In 1988, Céline Dion won the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland with her now cult title "Ne Partez pas sans moi". This victory propelled the Quebec singer's international career to the interplanetary star she is today. 36 years after her, it was Switzerland's Nemo and his song "The Code" who won the 2024 edition of the contest. This year, it's the Swiss country's turn to host the competition, and its organizers were quick to mention the Canadian star's possible presence on the Basel stage.
"The Eurovision Song Contest is meant to celebrate music and cultural diversity, but inevitably, pervasive politics challenges the contest's ambition to be neutral.
"The Eurovision Song Contest is meant to celebrate music and cultural diversity, but inevitably, pervasive politics challenges the contest's ambition to be neutral.
Albanian, Greek, Finnish, Latvian, French... the Eurovision stage has never been so rich in languages since 2008. This turnaround marks a break with the usual dominance of the English language in the competition. French, in particular, is in the spotlight: it will be used not only by France and Switzerland, but also by Luxembourg and even the Netherlands.
Albanian, Greek, Finnish, Latvian, French... the Eurovision stage has never been so rich in languages since 2008. This turnaround marks a break with the usual dominance of the English language in the competition. French, in particular, is in the spotlight: it will be used not only by France and Switzerland, but also by Luxembourg and even the Netherlands.
Depoliticising Eurovision 'impossible', experts say
Depoliticising Eurovision 'impossible', experts say
Albania is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by the duo Shkodra Elektronike, composed of songwriter and producer Kolë Laca and singer Beatriçe Gjergji. The duo members were born in Shkodra, Albania, but emigrated to Italy at an early age, where they grew up.
Albania is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest by the duo Shkodra Elektronike, composed of songwriter and producer Kolë Laca and singer Beatriçe Gjergji. The duo members were born in Shkodra, Albania, but emigrated to Italy at an early age, where they grew up.