Switzerland’s Nemo, who performed the song “The Code”, celebrates after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, on Saturday.
Martin Meissner/AP
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Martin Meissner/AP
Switzerland’s Nemo, who performed the song “The Code”, celebrates after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, on Saturday.
Martin Meissner/AP
Switzerland won the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo’s song “The Code” impressed both the jury and the audience at the popular annual event held on Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.
“It’s the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me,” the 24-year-old singer said at the post-event press conference.
“The Code” explores the artist’s non-binary identity in a flamboyant mashup of opera, rap, drum-and-bass and electronic dance music.
Nemo was one of two non-binary singers to take part in the Eurovision grand final this year, alongside Ireland’s Bambie Thug.
Switzerland narrowly beat pre-competition favorite Croatia with 591 votes to the runner-up’s 547, in an event that was not without controversy.
Security was tight for Israeli participant Eden Golan. She received some boos and turnarounds during her performance, but placed highly at the event, placing 5th with 375 votes.
Thousands of protesters opposed to Israel’s war in Gaza gathered outside the Malmö Arena in the days leading up to the final, calling for Israel’s disqualification.
Meanwhile, Dutch contestant Joost Klein was disqualified just hours before the start of the final following a complaint by a female member of the production team. Police said they were investigating.
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Switzerland won first place in the first-ever Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. So far, the country has won only once, in 1988. That year’s best entry, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”, was performed by a small musician of the time. -known singer (and non-Swiss) who will become one of the most successful singers of all time: Céline Dion.
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