As Eurovision nears its détente, Vienna’s divisions over the contest are on full display — especially in the cultural heart of the city, Maria-Theresien-Platz, where different political factions held opposing demonstrations over the past two days.
On Thursday a smattering of Israel supporters gathered at the Platz, named for an empress who once ruled the Habsburg Empire and is considered among the most intensely antisemitic monarchs of her era.
The event, marketed as a Eurovision Flashmob, was not very mob-like. Participants wore shirts that read Mazel Lov, held hands and sang Hava Nagila. Some wrapped themselves in Iranian flags that date back to before the 1979 revolution, and as a soft drizzle descended, a band played jazz.
But still, I could sense a frisson of tension, continuing the charged atmosphere from earlier in the week. A few of the heavyset older men in the crowd either belonged to secret service or just really liked wearing bluetooth headsets while looking in all directions every few seconds. Police vans idled nearby.
Osnot Slomovitz, a longtime Vienna resident who was born in Israel, told me she’d come to support Noam Bettan, Israel’s contestant this year, whom she’d seen perform live. “It was amazing,” she said. “The song is so good.” Bettan and Israel will compete against 24 other finalists Saturday; Israel is considered by oddsmakers as the fifth-most likely to win the top prize.
