Israel’s Eden Golan to skip Eurovision opening event on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel

Eden Golan rehearsing her song 'Hurricane' on stage at the Malmö Arena in Malmo, Sweden, on May 3, 2024. (Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU)
Eden Golan rehearsing her song 'Hurricane' on stage at the Malmö Arena in Malmo, Sweden, on May 3, 2024. (Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU)

Israel’s Eden Golan will skip the “Turquoise Carpet” Eurovision opening ceremony in Malmo, Sweden, tonight.

A spokeswoman for the Kan public broadcaster, which organizes Israel’s participation in the contest, says that instead Golan and the Israeli delegation will hold a small ceremony marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins this evening.

Golan is also keeping a low profile amid heightened security threats surrounding Israel’s participation in the contest. The turquoise carpet event is one of the few opportunities for fans and media outlets to get up close and personal with the artists.

Israel made a special request to be granted a spot in the second semifinal, which will be held Thursday evening, so that Golan would not have to hold a filmed dress rehearsal tomorrow, during the daytime portion of Holocaust Remembrance Day, ahead of the first semifinal.

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