The Eurovision Song Contest reaches its grand final with pop and protests

"The contest has been clouded for a third year by calls for Israel to be excluded over its conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere, with five longtime participants Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland and Slovenia boycotting in protest."

"Rapper Satoshi's “Viva, Moldova” combines “a stunning high energy performance with a subtle pro-European political message,” from a country moving toward the European Union after decades in Moscow's orbit, said Eurovision historian Dean Vuletic."

"Greek artist Akylas' song “Ferto,” or “Bring It,” provides a playful take on conspicuous consumption in a country still scarred by the economic wounds of the 2008 financial crisis."

"Winners are chosen by a mix of votes from the two, translated into points by a system confusing even to Eurovision fans. The act with the most points wins, and their country gets"

Eurovision’s 70th anniversary final takes place Saturday at the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna with tight security and rainy weather. Acts from 25 countries compete for a pop crown watched by millions worldwide. The contest is described as campy and colorful, often compared to a World Cup, and it frequently becomes entangled with politics. For a third year, calls for Israel’s exclusion over conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere have been accompanied by boycotts from Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, and Slovenia. Finnish favorites include Moldova’s rapper Satoshi with “Viva, Moldova,” combining high-energy performance with a subtle pro-European message. Greek artist Akylas’ “Ferto” offers a playful take on conspicuous consumption. Winners are determined by a combined voting system from national juries and public votes, translated into points.

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