While rumors swirled about a potential boycott involving Switzerland and several other countries at Eurovision 2024, the Swiss Head of Delegation, Yves Schifferle, clarifies that a national withdrawal was ever seriously considered.
According to Schifferle, the reported “crisis meetings” with the EBU European Broadcasting Union were initiated by Swiss artist Nemo, winner of the competition with their song “The Code,” and not the Swiss broadcaster itself. Schifferle clarified that these discussions focused on “certain etiquette in the backstage area,” hinting at potential backstage issues faced by Nemo.
This contradicts reports from Norwegian artist Magnus Børmark, who claimed artists, including Nemo, skipped the flag parade due to an emergency meeting with the EBU.
Schifferle’s comments further challenged reports suggesting Switzerland and five other countries nearly boycotted the contest minutes before the Grand Final. He suggests any pressure might have originated with artists, not national broadcasters. Interestingly, Nemo declined to comment when approached by German magazine Spiegel.
Despite these tensions, Switzerland emerged victorious, securing their first win since Celine Dion in 1988. Now, they prepare to host Eurovision 2025.
This saga raises questions about the potential disconnect between artists and broadcasters at Eurovision. While Schifferle clarifies the notion of a national withdrawal, it hints at underlying concerns faced by artists during the competition. Whether these concerns can be addressed effectively before Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland remains to be seen.
Image Source: Sarah Louise Bennett | Source: Watson
