MADRID – No special menu, no themed decorations, and no shared excitement over which musician’s flamboyant performance will win. This year marks a significant change for many Eurovision fans in Spain.
For the first time in seven years, Silvia Díaz won’t gather with friends to watch the Eurovision Song Contest finals on Saturday night. Their annual get-together was called off after Spain’s public broadcaster withdrew from the festival in protest against Israel’s participation due to its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Díaz plans to watch the event on YouTube, but only if she has no other plans. “It’s not the same watching it alone at home as it is with friends. That’s the only thing that upsets me,” she shared.
The Eurovision Song Contest is a massive event, drawing in 166 million viewers last year, which is significantly more than the Super Bowl in the U.S. Despite Spain not winning since 1969, the contest has become a beloved tradition where friends and families usually come together to cheer for their country’s entry. Spanish fans often wave flags, wear red clothing, and celebrate with enthusiasm.
Spain’s boycott announcement came in December after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed Israel could compete. This decision has been supported by other countries like Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland. Some Spanish fans respect the decision to take a stand, even if it feels bittersweet.
Media Blackout and Tribute Performances
Spain’s broadcaster has been vocal about its disapproval of Israel’s participation. During last year’s semifinals, RTVE’s commentators mentioned Israeli singers alongside the plight of Palestinians. Before airing the final, the network displayed the message “Peace and justice for Palestine” on screens across Spain.
As the Eurovision finals take place in Vienna, RTVE will instead showcase a tribute to the network’s musical history, featuring performances by Tony Grox and Lucycalys, the artists who were initially meant to represent Spain.
Other countries are also making adjustments. Ireland’s public broadcaster plans to air a film about rural life, while Slovenia will present a program about Palestinians. Fans can still watch Eurovision via the European Broadcasting Union’s YouTube channel, but the absence of local performers or commentators diminishes the excitement for many.
Divided Opinions Among Fans
The boycott has sparked mixed feelings among Spain’s Eurovision fans. For Rebeca Carril, a marketing executive in Madrid, the shift began when she noticed the increasing influence of Israeli sponsors. “I have Palestinian friends, and I began to understand a little better how things worked,” she explained.
Conversely, Guillermina Bastida, who has attended multiple Eurovision events, believes music and politics should remain separate. “It’s a song festival, period,” she stated. This year, she, like many others, will settle for watching on YouTube instead.
Eurovision’s motto is “United by Music,” and organizers have aimed to keep politics out of the competition, although recent events have made that difficult. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Broadcasting Union disqualified Russia from participating, demonstrating how political tensions can interfere with the event.
The Impact of Spain’s Absence
Spain is one of the “Big Five” countries that financially contribute the most to Eurovision. In addition to losing revenue from broadcasting rights, the event is also losing visibility and credibility, according to José García, co-director of a Eurovision news website. “Fans will watch it via international channels or YouTube, but it’s one thing to be able to watch it and another to agree with what’s happening,” he remarked.
At the Eurovision event in Vienna, the absence of Spanish fans has been noticeable. Vicente Rico, who has attended 18 Eurovisions, lamented that Spaniards usually bring a unique energy to the venue. Despite feeling torn about the boycott, he noted, “It bothers me that Eurovision is being used as a scapegoat.”
As for who to support in Spain’s absence, Rico is rooting for Finland but remains open to cheering on other countries like Italy, Sweden, Serbia, or Australia. “This year, we’re rooting for everyone except Israel,” he concluded.
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Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Jill Lawless in Vienna contributed to this report.
