Iceland Delays Eurovision Decision by a Week: Will They Return in 2025?»
The saga of Iceland’s participation in Eurovision 2025 has taken an unexpected twist, with the decision postponed until next week. Initially expected this week, Iceland’s national broadcaster, Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV), has confirmed that the decision will now be made after the weekend. Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, head of the Söngvakeppnin (Iceland’s Eurovision selection process), said, «We’re still in discussions, including meetings with Eurovision officials and other countries’ representatives early next week. The deadline to confirm participation is 15th September, and we will announce our decision before then.”
This delay comes as no surprise given Iceland’s poor result in this year’s Eurovision, where the country finished last in its semi-final. In the 2024 contest held in Malmö, Iceland’s entry, Scared of Heights by Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, failed to reach the final, marking yet another disappointing year for the Nordic nation.
Eurovision’s Political Storms Affect Iceland’s Decision
Iceland’s Eurovision woes aren’t limited to their poor musical showing. The controversy surrounding Israel’s participation in the contest and the ongoing conflict in Gaza led to a sharp dip in viewership in Iceland, with protests in the lead-up to the contest. Many Icelanders urged the country to boycott the event, stating that Eurovision had lost its spirit of unity. «It was no longer the celebration of diversity it was meant to be,» Rúnar Freyr lamented after the competition.
This political turbulence has cast doubt on Iceland’s future participation, and public opinion appears divided. Some argue that Eurovision should remain a strictly cultural event, free from political entanglements, while others feel Iceland should take a stand by not participating, especially after Israel’s involvement.
Iceland’s Checkered Eurovision Past
Iceland’s history in Eurovision has been a rollercoaster. Since their debut in 1986, the island nation has experienced numerous highs and lows. Despite two second-place finishes in 1999 and 2009, Iceland has yet to secure a win in the contest. Lately, the country’s fortunes have fluctuated, with several entries failing to qualify for the final.
One of the country’s most memorable moments came in 2019 when Hatari, an anti-capitalist BDSM-inspired techno group, caused a stir with their political gestures and edgy performance in Tel Aviv. Their protest against Israel’s policies regarding Palestine, which saw them raise Palestinian flags on air, made headlines worldwide.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the Icelandic public was met with disappointment once again. Scared of Heights, an emotionally charged ballad performed by Eurovision veteran Hera Björk, fell flat with audiences and juries alike, earning Iceland the dreaded last-place finish in the semi-final.
What’s Next for Iceland?
As of now, Iceland remains one of 11 countries yet to confirm their participation for Eurovision 2025 in Basel. While 27 nations, including all the other Nordic countries, have already signed up, Iceland’s potential absence looms large. Rúnar Freyr has hinted that the public’s sentiments and the impact of Eurovision’s evolving political landscape will heavily influence the final decision.
However, with the deadline approaching, fans and critics alike await news with bated breath. Should Iceland pull out, it will mark a significant moment in the nation’s Eurovision journey. But if they do return, the pressure will be on to deliver a song and performance that can erase the disappointment of 2024 and return Iceland to its former Eurovision glory.
For now, all eyes are on RÚV as they deliberate Iceland’s future in Europe’s favourite music competition. Whatever the outcome, it’s certain that Iceland’s relationship with Eurovision is as complex and unpredictable as the contest itself.
Source: Visir.is
