Greece through to Eurovision final as tensions overshadow Vienna contest

Greek vocalist Akylas has secured a spot successful the expansive last of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with his τραγούδι ‘Ferto’.

Akylas performed successful the archetypal semi-final successful Vienna and precocious to Saturday’s last aft receiving capable support from viewers crossed Europe. The upbeat dance-pop track has emerged arsenic 1 of the much talked-about entries of the competition, with Eurovision fans and commentators tipping Greece arsenic a imaginable contender.

Greece has been gaining traction with the song, featuring Akylas successful tigerprint coat, shorts and chapeau against a retro video crippled backdrop that besides showcased knitting, a glitterball and classical statue that came to life.

According to the singer, the track explores themes of consumerism, ambition and the struggles experienced by a procreation shaped by Greece’s fiscal crisis.

Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Finland, Belgium, Lithuania, Poland, and Serbia besides qualified and will vie successful the last connected Saturday.

Australia’s Delta Goodrem will execute successful the 2nd semi-final connected Friday.

It’s been a tense start successful Vienna arsenic Israel competed successful the archetypal semi-final amid a boycott by ‌five countries implicit the Gaza war.

The contest, traditionally a good-natured solemnisation of popular euphony and precocious campy present successful its 70th year, has go mired successful situation ‌over Israel’s subject violative successful Gaza successful effect to the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023.

The nationalist broadcasters of 5 countries – Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia – are boycotting this year’s event, making it the smallest since 2003 with 35 entries.Russia was banned from Eurovision aft its full-scale penetration of Ukraine successful 2022, but Israel has continued to vie contempt disputes.

The tension successful the metropolis was palpable up ‌of the semi-final, though ‌inside the performance ⁠hall where it was held lone cheers for Israel were audible during its performance.

With Reuters, PA and AFP