Eurovision Stars to Rock Tel Aviv

Jerusalem, 3 April, 2023 (TPS) -- When Europe was looking for an event to promote cooperation after World War II, the Eurovision Song Contest was launched in 1956 with the participation of 14 countries.

Eurovision’s spirit of bringing people together has expanded since then, with 52 participating countries, including Israel. Because 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Israel’s first entry into the competition, more than 20 Eurovision artists are in Tel Aviv for a special “Israel Calling 2023” show.

The international singers and groups gracing the stage of the Hangar 11 venue on Monday night include, among others, Blanca Paloma (Spain), Albina & Familija Kelmendi (Albania), Turalturanx (Azerbaijan), Luke Black (Serbia), and Wild Youth (Ireland). All will be competing for the Eurovision trophy in Liverpool in May. Several previous winners, as well as former Israeli contestants, will also perform.

Music fans unable to be at Hangar 11 will be able to watch the concert on Israel Calling’s YouTube page on Saturday night.

Israel has won the Eurovision four times, most recently in 2018 when Netta Barzilai fused pop style and feminist lyrics for the song, “Toy.”

Israel Calling is a collaboration with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Ministry of Culture and Sports, and Keren Kayemet Leisrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL – JNF).

This year, Israel will be represented by 21-year-old Noa Kirel who will sing “Unicorn.”

The international singers visited various sites in Israel and earlier on Monday participated in a tree-planting ceremony.

Similar pre-Eurovision festivities in April will take place in Madrid, Amsterdam and London.

The Eurovision finale is on May 13.