Opera-dance brilliance wins following a divided contest
The Independent|May 12, 2024
Switzerland picks up Eurovision baton.
Mark Beaumont
Opera-dance brilliance wins following a divided contest

Graham Norton had his work cut out keeping this one light. There were breakdowns, blood rites, curses, drug busts, infidelities aplenty and great howls of existential anguish, and that's just the songs. Draw the camera back from its tight crop on the gritted-teeth performances and Eurovision 2024 arrives under the darkest shadow of the contest's entire history.

When organisers disqualified Russia over opaque rule-breaking and “the violation of public service values” in 2022, allowing for widespread displays of solidarity with Ukraine from both public and voting panels, they painted Eurovision and its anti-political ethos into a corner. Now this year’s ceremony arrives at a precise moment in history when it becomes the last chance for high-profile global protest. As the tanks threaten to roll into Rafah, where 1.4 million starving Palestinian civilians have been kettled, Eden Golan strides onto the Eurovision stage to represent Israel with a stirring and angelic battle ballad “Hurricane” that’s plenty good enough to win. But the fallout has effectively torn the Eurovision spirit to shreds.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 12, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 12, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE INDEPENDENT مشاهدة الكل
Across France for £1.35 per day: the deal of the summer
The Independent

Across France for £1.35 per day: the deal of the summer

If you're 27 or under (and can jump through a few hoops), PassRail is a cross-Channel bargain, writes Simon Calder

time-read
2 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Bitingly funny adaptation is the match of beloved book
The Independent

Bitingly funny adaptation is the match of beloved book

Hailed as a Black British answer to 'Bridget Jones' Diary' on its release, hit novel 'Queenie' jumps to the small screen with all of its comedic charm intact, writes Katie Rosseinsky

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Still covering all the bases
The Independent

Still covering all the bases

Ever the curmudgeon of popular music, Van Morrison is back with his 45th album and a characteristically mercurial night of covers at the Royal Albert Hall, writes Louis Chilton

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Knee injury forces Djokovic to pull out of French Open
The Independent

Knee injury forces Djokovic to pull out of French Open

Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the French Open due to a knee injury sustained during his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo on Monday.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Middle England dilemma is a step into the unknown
The Independent

Middle England dilemma is a step into the unknown

There have been 77 England matches since Trent Alexander Arnold debuted in 2018. If he had played in them all, he would be level on caps already with Terry Butcher, wedged between John Terry and Tom Finney.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
I'm not 'chuffed' to hear these words show my age
The Independent

I'm not 'chuffed' to hear these words show my age

A whole raft of 'slang' words have been declared obsolete, according to new research, but Sam Leith says don't worry... it's only a matter of time before they come back into fashion

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Tory party's smear campaign on Starmer the DPP is OTT
The Independent

Tory party's smear campaign on Starmer the DPP is OTT

In a general election, it is right that the leadership qualities of prospective prime ministers are thoroughly examined and assessed.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Hunter Biden's drug habits under spotlight in gun trial
The Independent

Hunter Biden's drug habits under spotlight in gun trial

Federal prosecutors yesterday painted Joe Biden's son Hunter as a man whose dark habits ensnared loved ones and who knew what he was doing when he lied on federal forms to purchase a gun in 2018.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 05, 2024
India's election leaves Modi with a diminished mandate
The Independent

India's election leaves Modi with a diminished mandate

Narendra Modi's apparent failure to win an outright majority in India's general election will spark conflict within his party and limit his mandate to carry out sweeping reforms in a historic third consecutive term.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 05, 2024
Modi secures historic third term but loses his majority
The Independent

Modi secures historic third term but loses his majority

India's PM must rely on BJP allies to form an administration

time-read
4 mins  |
June 05, 2024