Les festivités de l’Eurovision s’ouvrent à Vienne, sur fond de boycott – Le Temps

The 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest began on May 10, 2026, in Vienna, Austria. Thousands of fans from around the world have gathered in the Austrian capital for festivities that will continue until the final on May 16, 2026.

Vienna has implemented a wide range of events for both tourists and residents to mark the occasion. The festivities included a colorful opening ceremony and a parade of 35 participating national delegations, who were welcomed on a turquoise carpet.

Among the representatives arriving in Vienna are Akylas Mytilinaios, performing as Akylas for Greece, Monroe for France and Essyla for Belgium.

Speaking to AFP, Monroe described the atmosphere as having much positive energy and noted that the people are very warm. Essyla similarly described the residents of Vienna as incredibly kind.

Political Tensions and Boycotts

The celebratory atmosphere is contrasted by significant political friction. Five countries are boycotting the 2026 competition specifically because of the participation of Israel.

In addition to the boycotts, the Eurovision organization has issued a formal warning to the Israeli delegation. The organization stated that certain actions taken by the delegation were not compliant with our rules.

This disciplinary action was triggered by calls for votes that the organization determined breached the established rules of the contest.

Global Expansion

While the primary focus remains on the events in Vienna, the Eurovision brand is expanding its international footprint. A first edition of the contest in Asia is planned to take place in Bangkok.