In a blend of nostalgia and excitement, the Eurovision Stage witnessed ten acts qualify for the grand finale, amidst the backdrop of Céline Dion's iconic connection to the contest.
**Céline Dion Delivers Heartfelt Message as Sweden Advances in Eurovision Semi-Finals**
**Céline Dion Delivers Heartfelt Message as Sweden Advances in Eurovision Semi-Finals**
Céline Dion's touching video message marked the return of Eurovision to Switzerland, as Sweden's KAJ surged ahead as heavy favorites for the upcoming finals.
Céline Dion made a poignant appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, delivering a heartfelt video message from her home. The message, recorded to celebrate Eurovision’s return to Switzerland for the first time since her own historic victory in 1988, expressed her deep affection for the country. "I'd love nothing more than to be with you," Dion stated, reflecting on Switzerland's significant role in her career. "It will forever hold a special place in my heart."
Ten acts qualified for Saturday’s grand finale, prominently featuring the Swedish group KAJ with their catchy song "Bara Bada Bastu," which translates to "let's take a sauna." Their whimsical entry, infused with accordion melodies and humor, has been labeled a strong contender, boasting a 40% chance of clinching the title according to bookmakers. Should they succeed, it would elevate Sweden's Eurovision win tally to eight, surpassing Ireland and marking a historic milestone in the contest's legacy.
The semi-final event held at Basel's St Jakobshalle included fifteen competing entries, with qualifiers spanning diverse styles and countries. Notable performances included Norway's Kyle Alessandro and Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska, among others. Unfortunately, the dreams of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia were cut short as they did not advance.
Céline Dion's message surfaced amid the excitement of the voting period, a notable highlight for the show's organizers given her recent struggles with health conditions, specifically stiff-person syndrome, which limit her public appearances. Despite her absence, Dion's emotional tribute honored her own historic win while also celebrating current competitors. Reflecting on the journey of Swiss singer Nemo, who took the crown last year, Dion expressed admiration, stating her victory in 1988 was a life-changing moment now rippling through today's event.
Her message resonated well after being translated into French, and was buttressed by performances from previous Eurovision contestants. The organizers remain optimistic about a potential appearance by Dion in the finals, saying efforts to contact her are ongoing.
The semi-final commenced with an energetic performance from Iceland's VÆB and featured various styles, including dramatic acts from Poland's Justyna Steczkowska and performances that stirred the crowd emotionally, like Ukraine's Ziferblat.
As the audience embraced KAJ's quirky sauna anthem, they represented a bold shift from Sweden’s usual polished pop style. The group, hailing from the Finnish-speaking region of Sweden, expressed both excitement and nervousness about their status as favorites. “We feel the pressure a bit but we’ll go out there, have fun, and bring the sauna culture,” they said, embodying the spirit of Eurovision.
The second semi-final is set to unveil another batch of contenders, while the "Big Five" nations, which contribute significantly to the contest's finances, and last year’s winners, Switzerland, automatically qualify for the final, heightening anticipation for the ultimate showdown.
