This year marks the 70th edition of the world's biggest live televised music event, which despite the razzmatazz rarely escapes the politics in the background.Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia are staging the biggest political boycott in Eurovision history over Israel's participation, citing the war in Gaza, while in Vienna, hundreds of demonstrators marched past the Wiener Stadthalle concert venue.
The overwhelming favorites in the final have long been violinist Linda Lampenius and pop singer Pete Parkkonen © GEORG HOCHMUTH / APA/AFP
The overwhelming favourites in the 25-country final are the Finnish double-act of violinist Linda Lampenius and pop singer Pete Parkkonen, with their song "Liekinheitin", or "Flamethrower".However, Australia's Delta Goodrem, who has sold nine million albums, was also coming in hot with her song "Eclipse"."It's going to come down to Finland and Australia," Fabien Randanne, a journalist at French news outlet 20 Minutes and a specialist on the contest, told AFP.But Bulgarian pop singer Dara has been gaining traction with her high-energy and highly-choreographed dancing on the catchy floor-filler "Bangaranga".
Ukrainian singer Victoria Leleka, representing Ukraine with the song 'Ridnym', hits some exceptionally high notes © Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP
