Windows95man and Henri Piispanen will participate in Eurovision in May.
Windows95man, the winner of the new music competition and chosen as Finland’s Eurovision Song Contest representative, will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Yle reports.
According to the release, Yle and the artist discussed the decision together and are now continuing to prepare for the May Games.
– Yle has decided to respect the European Broadcasting Union EBU’s ability to evaluate TV companies participating in the competition. We understand that there are different valid points of view involved. Yle has informed the EBU of the discussion in Finland and the view of the Finnish representative on the situation. We hope that the situation in the Middle East will calm down as soon as possible, Ylen Director of Creative Content and Media and Responsible Editor Ville Vilén says in the announcement.
– In our opinion, the only correct solution from the EBU would be to exclude Israel from the competition. However, we do not feel that we could influence this by staying out. Instead, we have started discussions about joint opportunities for influence with representatives of other countries and we are using our own position to put pressure on the EBU, which holds the decision-making power. The decision was difficult, but now it’s done. We thank you for all the support we have already received. From now on we will focus on music and building the show, Windows95man that is Teemu Keisteri and singing in a competition performance Henri Piispanen commented in the announcement.
Henri Piispanen and Teemu Keisteri are going to Eurovision in Malmö. Matti Matikainen
Windows95man, i.e. Teemu Keisteri and No Rules singing in the song Henri Piispanen have come under enormous pressure as Palestinian activists demanded they pull out of Eurovision due to the situation in Gaza.
Some of the demands are also direct threats.
Windows95man told UMK before the final that he was going to Eurovision, but that he hoped that Israel would not participate.
For example, a member of parliament got a wish Hi Sammallahden (kok) to comment that Windows95man has sided with “the rapist murderers of Hamas”.
Two days after the final, in an interview with Helsingin Sanomat, Windows95man said that the departure is not certain.
Windows95man has emphasized several times that he wants to bring joy.
Finland will compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö on May 7. The five-a-side final will take place on May 11.
Story edited on 20.2. 12:10 p.m.: Corrected incorrect information in the entrance and caption that Windows95man would not participate in Eurovision.