'October Rain,' Israel's proposed Eurovision entry, causes a storm
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Saturday, November 23, 2024


'October Rain,' Israel's proposed Eurovision entry, causes a storm
Fans at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England, May 13, 2023. This week, the meaning of “October Rain” — a song that very few people have heard — became a contested question when newspapers in Israel reported that a song with that name had been chosen to represent the country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. (Mary Turner/The New York Times)

by Alex Marshall



NEW YORK, NY.- A song called “October Rain” might simply be a ballad about dreary fall weather. But in the charged atmosphere after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel of Oct. 7, the title could also signal a lament about that tragedy, or a rallying call to stand firm against terrorism.

This week, the meaning of “October Rain” — a song that very few people have heard — became a contested question when newspapers in Israel reported that a song with that name had been chosen to represent the country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Although initial reports gave few details of the song, they sparked a furor on social media. Some Eurovision fans complained that the track was clearly referring to Oct. 7 and should not be allowed in the nonpolitical event in which pop stars, representing countries, compete against one another each May.

Since Eurovision began in 1956, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the contest, has forbidden songs that make political statements, insisting that the competition should unify, rather than divide. Every year, the union vets proposed lyrics to ensure they do not undermine that principle. Although Israel is not in Europe, its broadcaster is a member of the European Broadcasting Union, making the country eligible to compete in Eurovision.

On Wednesday, the news division of Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, reported that the organization had begun discussions with the European Broadcasting Union over the suitability of “October Rain.” If the union refused to approve the track, the report speculated, Israel would not submit an alternative and would therefore be barred from the contest.

Miki Zohar, the country’s culture minister, said Wednesday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it would be “scandalous” if the song wasn’t allowed to compete.

In a letter sent to the European Broadcasting Union on Thursday, seen by The New York Times, Zohar put the case for “October Rain.” It was “an emotional song, discussing regeneration and rebirth,” he wrote. And while it reflected “the current public sentiment in Israel these days,” he said, that doesn’t make it “a political song.” (A spokesperson for the minister said Zohar hadn’t heard the “confidential” song but had seen “a large part” of its lyrics.)

A European Broadcasting Union spokesperson said in an email Thursday that it was “currently in the process of scrutinizing the lyrics,” as it does for all proposed Eurovision tracks. “If a song is deemed unacceptable for any reason, broadcasters are then given the opportunity to submit a new song or new lyrics,” the spokesperson added.

Even before this week’s uproar, Israel’s participation in this year’s Eurovision, which will be held in Malmo, Sweden, had cast a shadow over the event. As the death toll from Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip has mounted, hundreds of musicians in countries, including Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, have signed petitions urging the European Broadcasting Union to ban Israel, after a similar decision in 2022 to ban Russia after it invaded Ukraine.

The European Broadcasting Union has repeatedly dismissed the comparison between Israel and Russia. “We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East,” the union said in a statement this month, but Eurovision was “not a contest between governments.”

At this year’s Eurovision, Israel will be represented by Eden Golan, a 20-year-old pop singer who was selected this month when she won a TV talent show called “Rising Star,” singing an Aerosmith cover. During that show’s final, Golan referred to the roughly 130 hostages Israel believes Hamas is holding in Gaza. “We won’t truly be OK until everyone returns home,” she said.

Which song Golan will sing at Eurovision, however, is not only up to her. Kan has been evaluating potential tracks, and although it submitted “October Rain” for approval, the broadcaster is not scheduled to officially announce Israel’s song until March 10, allowing time for it to be changed, if necessary.

Throughout Eurovision’s history, the European Broadcasting Union has occasionally intervened when it detected political overtones in proposed entries, said Chris West, author of a history of Eurovision. In 2009, he said, Georgia pulled out of the contest because the organizers objected to a song called “We Don’t Wanna Put In.” The song was seen as a statement against Russian President Vladimir Putin, West said.

And in 2015, Armenia changed the title of its entry “Don’t Deny,” because it was widely interpreted as a reference to Turkey’s denial of the Ottoman Empire’s genocide of Armenians. The song was renamed “Face the Shadow,” West said.

“October Rain” seemed political from its title, West said, but Israel might claim it has nothing to do with last year’s attacks, or even that the country has a right to sing about the impact of Hamas’ atrocities.

“Eurovision’s organizers have a really difficult job of deciding where the line is,” West said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.










Today's News

February 24, 2024

Bidders chase Elton John memorabilia and a Banksy in first week of sales

'October Rain,' Israel's proposed Eurovision entry, causes a storm

Eiffel Tower is closed for 4th day as its workers strike

A century later, 17 wrongly executed Black soldiers are honored at gravesites

First edition copies of books by Dickens and Twain, plus letter signed by Washington & Jefferson headline auction

Alex Anderson's second solo exhibition at the Sargent's Daughters

NYUAD Art Gallery opens expansive spring exhibition, marking its 10th year anniversary

"Where do you come from?" at the Kunstmuseum Luzern

Opening at Sebastian Gladstone the exhibition by Emmanuel Louisnord Desir, 'Born to Win'

Art Institute of Chicago presents 'Threaded Visions: Contemporary Weaving from the Collection'

Jimmy Van Eaton, purveyor of the Sun Records beat, dies at 86

Artist Yin Xin Tong explores metaphysical kindness in nature at CANDICE MADEY Gallery with 'Taoist Punk'

Retrospective exhibition celebrating 26-year-long partnership, 1975 and 2023, between Jim Shaw and Praz-Delavallade

"LIGHTFAST: Intertwine" a genre–bending multi–disciplinary installation by an all–female quartet

From dark and dystopian to the light as Laure Prouvost oscillates between reality and fiction

The Ehlen Collection – Eine Rheinische Porzellansammlung auction at the Palais Oppenheim

Book launch celebrates Sunderland 73: The People's Visual History

ING Australia and Powerhouse Parramatta's community and wellbeing partnership

Smell the music: Inviting a perfumer into the concert hall

Where students can weigh light

Rowdy, sensitive and ready to sing

Robert Macbeth, founder of Harlem's new Lafayette Theater, dies at 89

Reports of Cabaret's death have been greatly exaggerated

'The Ally,' a new play at the Public Theater, hashes out the headlines

Digital Connection: The Art of Therapy Notes in Teletherapy Sessions

Discard Your Traditional bikinis and Buy only Tan Through Swimwear

The Next Wave: Technological Transformations Shaping the Future of the Streaming Industry

Your Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Android App Crashes




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Attorneys
Truck Accident Attorneys
Accident Attorneys
Holistic Dentist
Abogado de accidentes
สล็อต
สล็อตเว็บตรง

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site Parroquia Natividad del Señor
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful