Ireland’s Eurovision entry Bambie Thug forced to change the Pro-Palestine message by organisers

nme.com:

Eurovision entry Bambie Thug has been forced to change their pro-Palestine message by the competition’s organisers.The non-binary contestant has become Ireland’s first finalist in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2018, winning a place in Saturday’s final (May 11) with a performance of their track ‘Doomsday Blue’ at yesterday’s (May 7) semi-finals.However, the artist, whose real name is Bambie Ray Robinson, has criticised the competition’s organisers after being forced to change their pro-Palestine message ahead of the final.

Originally, they wore body paint in Ogham script – an early Medieval alphabet – which translated to ceasefire and freedom. It came as a nod to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and in light of Israel’s inclusion in the competition.According to a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the paint “contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event” (via Evening Standard).Speaking of the change, Bambie Thug said: “It was very important for me because I’m pro-justice and pro-peace.

Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to ‘crown the witch’ only (which was an) order from the EBU.”The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö, Sweden this Saturday (May 11).

Ireland has not won the contest in nearly 30 years, taking home the victory in 1996 with Eimear Quinn’s song ‘The Voice’.The nation last reached the final six years ago, when it was represented by Ryan O’Shaughnessy, who placed 16th in Lisbon, Portugal.Bambie Thug was chosen to represent Ireland after they won RTÉ’s Eurosong contest in January.