The European Commission said today that it will ask for an explanation from the organizers of the 68- the edition of the "Eurovision" song contest, which ended on the night of Saturday to Sunday in the Swedish city of Malmö, why was the flag of the European Union not allowed in the "Malmö Arena" hall? during the final, AP reported, quoted by BTA.
Before the final of the song contest, a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EUBRT) announced that of the ticketed spectators carrying flags, only people with the flags of the participating countries, as well as the colors of the rainbow, would be allowed into the hall , which are a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community.
Regarding the competition, the EC said it planned "quite a lively discussion" with the organizing committee regarding the EU flag ban. Although the EU itself was not a participant in the contest, many of the bloc's 27 member states were, and its flag with gold stars on a blue background is generally seen as a symbol of the unity of all of them, the AP points out.
EU spokesman Eric Mamer said that "at this stage there is no information from the organizers about the reason for not allowing the EU flag at the event", but the measure apparently caused enough irritation for EC Vice-President Margaritis Schinas to hold conversations with the management of ESRT, which organizes the competition and whose seat is located in Switzerland.
"We definitely invite the ESRT to realize that this is a mistake," Mamer said. The organizers of "Eurovision" were already under pressure because of the protests against Israel because of the war in the Gaza Strip and because of the disqualification from the final of the representative of the Netherlands, Joost Klein.
The case with his removal has not been fully clarified, AP points out. An incident with a Eurovision employee was announced as the reason, citing a "threatening act". by the singer.
Regarding the case of the EU flag, which the European Union defined as a "deeply regrettable" mistake that must not be repeated next year, ECRT said that the host country's TV station, Sweden, SVT, had decided to limited the flags waved by the contestants and spectators, reported Reuters.
Some of those present at the contest wrote on social networks that the security at the hall entrances did not allow them to bring in EU flags, the agency adds.
The 68th edition of "Eurovision", in which Bulgaria did not take part, was won by Switzerland with Nemo's song The Code. According to the winner, who identifies as non-binary, his song tells the story of the journey he began when he realized he was neither male nor female.