Eurovision 2025: A Spectacle of Music, Controversy, and Saunas in Basel
Eurovision 2025- The 69th Eurovision Song Contest unfolded in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17, 2025, delivering a night of glitter, drama, and unexpected twists. Hosted by Switzerland following Nemo’s victory in 2024 with The Code, this year’s contest saw 26 nations vying for the iconic glass microphone trophy. From operatic ballads to politically charged performances, here’s a breakdown of the highlights and key moments that defined Eurovision 2025.
Eurovision 2025: Cherry Blossoms and Symbolism Amidst the Spectacle
Apart from its music and drama, the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, skillfully incorporated subtle but significant symbolism into its fabric, most famously through the cherry blossoming theme. Symbolic of transience, rebirth, and optimism, these fragile blossoms found their way into the staging, performances, and general narrative of the event, therefore enhancing the themes of unity and resilience of the contest.
Eurovision 2025:The Hosts and Setting
Basel’s St. Jakobshalle transformed into a kaleidoscope of LED screens, pyrotechnics, and avant-garde staging. Switzerland’s multilingual heritage added charm, with hosts occasionally stumbling through English quips like “Let us together put our hands, yes?”—a nod to the contest’s endearingly chaotic spirit . The event marked Switzerland’s first hosting since 1989, when Celine Dion clinched victory for the nation—a fact that still baffles French Canadians.
Eurovision 2025 was not without its controversies:
Israel’s Participation
Israel’s Participation: Over 70 former Eurovision contestants signed an open letter demanding Israel’s exclusion due to its military actions in Gaza. Despite this, Yuval Raphael advanced to the final with New Day Will Rise, a song blending hope and grief following her survival of the October 7 Nova festival attack.
Malta’s Provocative Entry:
Miriana Conte’s Serving sparked debates after its original title, Serving Kant (Maltese for “singing”), was deemed risqué. The revised title did little to dampen its notoriety, with audiences cheekily filling in the blank during performances.
Australia’s Absence:
For the third consecutive year, Australia failed to qualify, with Go-Jo’s Milkshake Man eliminated in the semi-finals. This prompted discussions about the country’s future in the contest.
Standout Performances and Favourites
Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
The Finnish-Swedish comedy trio brought a sauna-themed extravaganza, complete with birch branches and towel-clad dancers. Their accordion-driven ode to Nordic wellness culture dominated pre-contest streams (43.9 million on Spotify) and emerged as a jury favourite. Bookmakers gave them a 39% chance of victory, though skeptics questioned whether a novelty act could triumph.
Austria: JJ – Wasted Love
Opera singer Johannes “JJ” Pietsch delivered a show-stopping performance aboard a storm-tossed ship, blending techno beats with soaring counter-tenor vocals. His emotional exploration of unrequited love (“I’m an ocean of love / And you’re scared of water”) resonated with both juries and fans, earning him second-favourite status.
Spain: Melody – Esa Diva
A flamenco-infused empowerment anthem, Esa Diva saw Melody channeling Spain’s 2022 hit SloMo. Despite a costume-change mishap mid-performance, her charismatic staging and lyrics celebrating humility (“A diva doesn’t step on anyone to shine”) secured her spot as a fan darling.
Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
The twin-led band delivered a poignant message of unity, referencing families separated by Russia’s invasion. Their staging—a glowing yellow light forming wings—symbolized hope, though the song’s mixed-language lyrics divided opinions.
United Kingdom: Remember Monday – What the Hell Just Happened?
The UK’s girl group injected Queen-esque theatrics into their post-party anthem, complete with synchronised swimming and pyro. Despite low odds (1% chance of winning), their harmonies and campy energy won over viewers.
Cultural Moments and Quirks
Terry Wogan Tribute:
UK viewers raised glasses during song #9, honoring late commentator Terry Wogan’s advice to avoid drinking until that point—a tradition since his tenure (1980–2008).
Voting Drama: The jury-televote split (50/50) led to nail-biting swings. Sweden’s sauna anthem soared with juries but faced
Voting Drama:
The jury-televote split (50/50) led to nail-biting swings. Sweden’s sauna anthem soared with juries but faced lukewarm public support, while Austria’s operatic drama split votes.
Rule-Bending Staging:
Finland’s Erika Vikman defied “family-friendly” guidelines, toning down her outfit for Ich Komme (“I’m Coming”), a techno anthem about orgasms. The song’s double entendres still sparked debates.
Predictions and Legacy
While Sweden’s KAJ and Austria’s JJ dominated predictions, dark horses like Spain’s Melody and Norway’s medieval-inspired Lighter threatened surprises. Eurovision 2025 also highlighted linguistic diversity, with 19 languages represented—the highest in two decades.
As the winner’s reprise echoed through Basel, one thing was clear: Eurovision remains a celebration of absurdity, resilience, and unity, proving once again that geopolitics and glitter can coexist on one stage.
For full results and performances, visit Eurovision’s official site or relive the chaos via the cited sources.
General Disclaimer
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