Eurovision’s Sparkle Dimmed by Boycott Backlash in Malta

As the sun sets over the Mediterranean, casting a golden glow on the historic streets of Valletta, the atmosphere in Malta is far from the usual pre-Eurovision buzz. This year, the annual song contest, held in the Italian city of Turin, is overshadowed by a boycott movement at home, dampening the island’s enthusiasm for the glitzy event.

Malta’s Boycott Call: A Growing Movement

In recent weeks, a growing number of Maltese citizens and organizations have called for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people. The boycott, organized under the banner of ‘Eurovision Alternative Malta’, argues that Israel, the host country for the 2019 contest, uses the event to ‘artwash’ its human rights abuses against Palestinians.

Protesters gathered outside the Maltese Parliament in Valletta, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards with slogans like ‘No Art, No Peace’ and ‘Eurovision in Apartheid Israel’. The movement has gained traction, with local artists, musicians, and even the Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna publicly supporting the boycott.

Malta’s Eurovision History: A Love Affair with the Contest

Malta’s love affair with the Eurovision Song Contest is well-documented. The Mediterranean island has participated in the contest since 1971, winning the competition in 2002 with the song ‘7th Wonder’ by Ira Losco. The event is typically a cause for national celebration, with streets adorned in flags and families gathering to watch the live broadcast.

However, this year’s contest is a stark contrast. The boycott movement has led to a noticeable lack of enthusiasm, with many Maltese choosing to tune out rather than tune in. The usually bustling streets of Valletta, lined with Eurovision-themed decorations, seem quieter than usual. Even the annual Eurovision Village, a hub for fans to celebrate the contest, has seen lower than expected attendance.

Israel’s Response: A ‘Celebration of Peace and Love’

Israel, on the other hand, is pulling out all the stops to make the 2019 contest a spectacle. The host city of Tel Aviv is adorned with Eurovision-themed decorations, and the event has been billed as a ‘celebration of peace and love’. Israeli officials have dismissed the boycott calls, stating that the contest is an apolitical event.

However, the boycott movement has had an impact. Some high-profile artists, including Madonna, have faced pressure to withdraw from the contest. The pop icon, who is set to perform at the final, has been criticized for associating with an event held in a country with a questionable human rights record.

: A Divided Malta

The boycott movement has sparked a heated debate in Malta, dividing the nation along political and ideological lines. While some see the boycott as a necessary stand against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, others view it as a misguided attempt to politicize a cultural event.

As the contest comes to a close in Turin, the impact of the boycott on Malta’s relationship with the Eurovision Song Contest remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however – the usually united nation is divided, and the glitz and glamour of the Eurovision final seems a world away from the streets of Valletta.

“We’re not against music or art,” says Maltese activist and boycott supporter, Maria Azzopardi. “We’re against the normalization of Israel’s occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people. Until that changes, we won’t be supporting the Eurovision in Israel.”