In a touching pre-recorded message, Céline Dion expressed her love for Switzerland during the Eurovision’s first semi-final, marking the event's return to the country for the first time since her famous win in 1988. In her heartfelt video, she reminisced about the pivotal role Switzerland played in her career, saying, “It’s the country that believed in me.” Even though she could not attend in person due to health issues related to stiff-person syndrome, her presence resonated with fans and participants alike. The semi-final introduced a competitive atmosphere, where ten acts secured spots in Saturday's grand finale, prominently featuring Sweden's KAJ, whose playful accordion-driven song "Bara Bada Bastu" generated considerable buzz.
Céline Dion Sent a Heartfelt Message at Eurovision, While Sweden's KAJ Leads the Pack
Céline Dion Sent a Heartfelt Message at Eurovision, While Sweden's KAJ Leads the Pack
Céline Dion made a virtual appearance during Eurovision's return to Switzerland, while KAJ emerges as a favorite to win with their comedic sauna anthem.
The performance by KAJ, an acrostic band of Kevin, Axel, and Jakob, is notable for its unique blend of humor and traditional elements, translating to "let’s take a sauna." With a current prediction of a 40% chance of winning, they could bring home Sweden's eighth Eurovision victory, an impressive feat that would set them apart as the most successful country in the contest’s storied history. The night also delivered unexpected outcomes, as prominent contenders from Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia, including Belgium's celebrated rave anthem, fell short of the final cut.
During the lively proceedings at Basel's St Jakobshalle, which showcased fifteen acts, Dion's message underscored Switzerland’s emotional significance for her. She reflected on the life-altering experience of winning the contest and extended gratitude to the people of Switzerland. In addition to her touching message, several former Eurovision contestants honored her legacy by performing her 1988 victory song, "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" (Don't Leave Without Me). Although her health remains a concern, Eurovision organizers expressed optimism about potentially having Dion join the final.
The semi-final showcased a vibrant array of performances, including Iceland’s acrobatic duo, Poland's mesmerizing aerial act, and other eclectic acts that celebrate cultural diversity and artistic expression. KAJ’s joyous anthem, characterized by an infectious spirit, has quickly won over fans and audiences alike, leading them to declare, “We’re going to have fun, bring the steam and sauna culture.”
Whether or not they can carry this momentum into the grand finale remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly become the artists to beat, bringing excitement to Eurovision’s storied stage.
During the lively proceedings at Basel's St Jakobshalle, which showcased fifteen acts, Dion's message underscored Switzerland’s emotional significance for her. She reflected on the life-altering experience of winning the contest and extended gratitude to the people of Switzerland. In addition to her touching message, several former Eurovision contestants honored her legacy by performing her 1988 victory song, "Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi" (Don't Leave Without Me). Although her health remains a concern, Eurovision organizers expressed optimism about potentially having Dion join the final.
The semi-final showcased a vibrant array of performances, including Iceland’s acrobatic duo, Poland's mesmerizing aerial act, and other eclectic acts that celebrate cultural diversity and artistic expression. KAJ’s joyous anthem, characterized by an infectious spirit, has quickly won over fans and audiences alike, leading them to declare, “We’re going to have fun, bring the steam and sauna culture.”
Whether or not they can carry this momentum into the grand finale remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly become the artists to beat, bringing excitement to Eurovision’s storied stage.
