Songfestival artists may only show their own country flag, the public can propagate political message

From now on, artists at the Eurovision Song Contest may only show the flag of their own country. Songfestival organizer European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has confirmed this to the Danish broadcaster DRwho reported about it. The public, on the other hand, may bring all kinds of different flags, even if they propagate a political message. With the new rule, the organizers hope to bring more ‘clarity and balance’ to the messy flag situation for years.

In recent years there has been commotion about, among others, Pride flags and Palestinian flags that were shown by participants and the public during the Songfestival. These flags, with which a ‘political statement’ is made, are now forbidden for artists on stage and in the green roomthe place where the artists are waiting for the result.

In a statement, the EBU tells DR that political messages should be avoided, but also that freedom of expression for host country Switzerland is very important. That is why the public can take all flags this time, provided that they are permitted within Swiss law. Flags with a racist or discriminatory content (or hinting it) or flags of terrorist organizations are forbidden.

In 2024, the EBU announced that the rules for flags during the festival would be revised. The organization did this after MEP Dorin Fraseaneanu was not allowed in with a European flag. In addition, there was a lot of criticism of Israel’s participation, because of the war in Gaza. Thousands of people stood outside the Arena in Malmö, where the Songfestival took place, with Palestinian flags. That flag has not been allowed for years during the event, but fans can now take it inside.

Response Avrotros and COC

AVROTROS understands the EBU decision. This is what a spokesperson for the broadcaster, who arranges the Dutch participation in the event, told the ANP on Saturday. « The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-politics event and in that context we understand this decision, » said Avrotros. « It is only about the official moments that it must be clear which country it is. At all other times it is free to communicate what we want. » LGBTI interest organization COC calls the decision of the EBU « completely ridiculous »

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