The Eurovision Song Contest kicked off with pop and protests as the war in Gaza casts a shadow

By JILL LAWLESS and MARTIN MEISSNER
Associated Press

MALMO, Sweden (AP) — Competition in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday in Sweden. The war in Gaza is casting a shadow over the sequin-spangled pop extravaganza. The event began with the first of two semi-finals in the Swedish city of Malmo, with another on Thursday. They will winnow a field of 37 nations down to 26 who will compete in Saturday’s final. Among the favorites are Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna and Ukrainian duo alyona alyona and Jerry Heil. Security is tight as Malmo expects an influx of some 100,000 Eurovision fans, along with tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters. Performers are feeling political pressure.