Basel, Switzerland (AP) – Classically trained Austrian artist JJ secured 69th place at the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, performing “Wasted Love,” a piece that fuses operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno flair.
Israeli singer Yuval Raphael took the second position amidst a lively celebration of music and unity, all shadowed by the ongoing Gaza War. I found the inconsistency regarding Israeli participation unsettling.
JJ, whose full name is Johannes Piechu, is Austria’s third Eurovision winner, following Conchita Wurst in 2014. The 24-year-old countertenor, who performs at the Vienna State Opera, describes himself as an advocate for love.
“This surpasses my wildest dreams. It’s unbelievable,” he expressed after receiving a microphone-shaped glass Eurovision trophy.
JJ triumphed after the final, where Raphael garnered tremendous popular support for her anthem “New Day Rises.” However, she faced protests from pro-Palestinian activists advocating for her removal from the contest due to Israeli actions in The War with Hamas in Gaza.
The Austrian Eurovision winner JJ celebrates with the trophy at the grand final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
During a post-contest press conference, JJ expressed that the theme of his song, regarding unrequited love, emphasizes that “love is the most powerful force on Earth, and love will prevail.”
“Let’s spread love,” JJ continued, adding that his message promotes “acceptance and equality for all.”
Austrian political leaders worldwide congratulated JJ on his success, with Prime Minister Christian Stocker stating, “What a remarkable achievement – Congratulations on winning #esc2025! JJ is making Austrian music history today!”
Eccentric and sometimes confusing
The world’s largest live music event, which has united and divided Europeans since 1956, culminated in a spectacular Grand Final. Basel delivered pulsating electropop, quirky rock, and flamboyant vocalists.
Performers from 26 countries – refined from 37 participants through two elimination semifinals – attracted an audience of approximately 160 million viewers vying for the continental pop title. The event featured smoke machines, fire jets, and dazzling light displays, creating a spectacle that captivated millions.
Tommy Cash from Estonia secured third place with his comedic Italian dance track “Espresso Macchiato,” while Swedish entry Casino came in fourth with Jaunty Sauna Ode’s catchy “Bara Bada Bastu.”
This year’s event missed several highly acclaimed singers who were expected to do well, such as celebrated French artist Champteis Rouen and soulful Dutch vocalist Claude.
Austrian singer JJ, performing “A useless love,” responds to votes during the grand final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
The show celebrated Europe’s eclectic, sometimes perplexing musical styles. The Lithuanian group Catharsis rocked in grunge, while Ukrainian Ziferblat led the progressive rock scene, and British acts delivered country-infused pop.
Italian artist Lucio Corsi embodied 1970s glamour, and the Icelandic duo Vaeb rapped about rowing, while six Latvian women, Tautumeitas, dazzled with rich, intertwined harmonies.
Numerous divas graced the stage, including melodious acts from Spain and Justina Stetzkowska from Poland, who returned to Eurovision after a 30-year hiatus.
Eurovision historian Dean Valletic noted that the competition has seen increased diversity, evolving from a time when catchy and innocuous pop songs in English were favored for victory.
“Today, entries must be memorable and genuine to find success,” he remarked.
The war in Gaza clouded the contest
This year’s contest was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Israel’s participation. Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, experienced a mixed reception of cheers and boos as she performed songs about the music festival tragedy that ignited the Gaza War.
Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR reported that a man and woman attempted to breach the stage barrier after her song, leading to their removal after throwing paint. Raphael’s team stated she was left feeling “shaken and upset.”
Numerous former Eurovision competitors, including last year’s winners Swiss nemo, have called for Israel’s exclusion amidst ongoing calls for a review of the country’s participation.
The cross-border assault conducted by Hamas on October 7 resulted in 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 hostages in Gaza, with over 52,800 casualties reported in Gaza due to Israeli retaliatory measures, according to local health authorities.
Both Palestinian and pro-Israel protests arose in Basel, though they were smaller than last year’s demonstrations in Sweden, where thousands rallied, leading to tensions that resulted in the disqualification of Dutch contestant Horst Klein.
Hundreds marched through Basel ahead of the competition, brandishing Palestinian flags and chanting “Boycott Israel.”
A group of Israeli supporters convened in Basel’s Cathedral Square to show their solidarity with Raphael, asserting that “the Jews belong in public spaces in Switzerland,” as highlighted by Zurich resident Rebecca Les Kushner.
She claimed that Raphael’s potential victory would signify “a powerful statement against anti-Semitism.”
“This should be about music, not hatred,” she added.
The European Broadcasting Union, which oversees Eurovision, has tightened its contest code of conduct this year, urging participants to uphold values of “university, diversity, equality, and inclusivity” while maintaining political neutrality.
Eurovision Director Martin Green informed reporters that this year’s organizers aim to “re-establish unity and calm in a challenging world.” He asserted that all 37 national delegations “conducted themselves admirably.”
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Contributions to this report were made by Hilary Fox and Kwillon Ha from Basel, Maria Sherman from New York, Sylvia Huy from London, Stephanio Dazio from Berlin, and Stephanie Liechtenstein from Vienna.
Source: apnews.com