The “beautiful message” of the Swiss victory, Slimane fourth, the Israeli candidate booed… A look back at the Eurovision evening in Malmö

Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, is over. The edition was complicated, hit by the geopolitical context, with demonstrations calling for a boycott of Israel’s candidacy and boos on Saturday May 11 during the performance of singer Eden Golan, who ultimately finished fifth. But this 68th edition ends with fourth place for the French representative, Slimane and his song My love. Eurovision was won this year by the Swiss artist Nemo with his title The Code.

The final count, Saturday evening, marks the end of the votes. This moment of points, “this is the moment where, since 1956, we have offered the possibility of seeing that we connect with each other”, analyzes Thomas, from the 12 Points podcast, the podcast that deciphers Eurovision and makes a reference. It is also the time when the tone rises in families, in front of television screens.

For Quentin, the geopolitical specialist of the podcast, “This is the moment when Cyprus gives its 12 points to Greece and Greece gives these 12 points to Cyprus. And we say to ourselves: ‘but why?'” He anticipates: “There, very clearly, it is Switzerland which will win.” But when France pockets points, during the vote count, to the point of accumulating 12, the podcast team is ecstatic: “We scored a goal!”

Then comes the announcement of the public vote and it is Nemo, from Switzerland, who stands out. “It’s a really beautiful message for the world, it’s so good, I’m so happy, rejoices Agathe from the 12 Points podcast. Nemo claims to be non-binary and his song speaks about it. Plus the song is great, the staging was great! We’re having a great time.”

This edition was so marked by the Israeli candidacy, the protest, that this victory also says something about this leaden pall which fell on Eurovision. “I think this victory also says that we must return to the neutral countryQuentin agrees, Eurovision must return to a neutral country.”

France finally finished fourth: “It’s a very beautiful place, Judge Quentin, and it shows that Eurovision, even in France, can work. And when you have a good singer with staging, it works. When you send a professional, it works.” “In the emotion, in the voice, in the interpretation, in the sharing. I think we couldn’t be more proud of our French performance than that.” completes his colleague Thomas.

“For the record: I had more votes yesterday and I received so many messages, so many people who supported me from France and everywhere else. I just wanted to say thank you. I hope you are proud of me. We are proud of ourselves.

Slimane, French representative at Eurovision 2024

at franceinfo

At the end of his performance on stage, Slimane said to himself “very moved since I sang in my language, sang love, sang peace and to be where I arrived today”. His voice cracks with emotion “but it’s not sadness, it’s really pride”he said. “I’m very proud of Nemo, he deserved to winhe admits. But we really deserve to exist, to be heard. And we were tonight, I was tonight. I hope you are proud of me. I’m fourth, so yes I’m not first, but I sang in French with a ballad that talked about love.” Slimane leaves with his head held high, and Switzerland applauds.