April is right around the corner — and that means your favourite Eurovision stars are about to hit the campaign trail. All you diehard Eurovision fans know this year’s Eurovision pre-parties include events in Riga, Moscow, Amsterdam and London — and in that order. But this year Tel Aviv is getting in on the action!
Yes, on April 12, and for the very first time, Israel will stage a massive Eurovision preview party in Tel Aviv called “Israel Calling”. Organisers are slowing rolling out the names of this year’s participating acts — and they are coming from all over Europe. This is the biggest Eurovision event taking place in Israel since the country hosted the contest in 1999.
It seems that Nadav Guedj was serious when he sang “let me show you Tel Aviv” last year. Artists and journalists from around the world are invited for a three-day visit to Tel Aviv. The highlight will, of course, but the unique promo event, in which the artists will perform their entries for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The Israel tour
The artists’ visit to Israel, which will take place from April 11 to April 13, has been made possible thanks to the funding and support of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tel Aviv Municipality, who recognize the importance of such an event in bringing inbound tourism to Israel, as well as its contribution to Israel’s international PR. It’s also a great platform to show the world the beauty of Israel.
During their visit, the artists will tour Tel Aviv and its most attractive sites, dine in its finest restaurants and
participate in a special reception, where they will walk the red carpet at a gala event, hosted by Tel Aviv’s mayor, Mr. Ron Huldai, the ambassadors of the represented countries, VIP’s and artists.
A press conference for the foreign press will also be held.
The party
The actual concert will take place on Tuesday, April 12. A live show will take place in the beautiful Theatre Club (Ha’teatron), where Hovi Star and other artists will perform their entries.
Participants
- Sergey Lazarev (Russia)
- Amir (France)
- Sanja Vucic ZAA (Serbia)
- Freddie (Hungary)
- Agnete (Norway)
- Poli Genova (Bulgaria)
- Donny Montell (Lithuania)
- Michal Szpak (Poland)
- ZOË (Austria)
- Samra (Azerbaijan)
- Joe and Jake (United Kingdom)
- Jüri Pootsmann (Estonia)
- Ovidiu Anton (Romania)
- ManuElla (Slovenia)
- Sandhja (Finland)
- Eneda Tarifa (Albania)
- Rykka (Switzerland)
- Lidia Isac (Moldova)
- Ivan (Belarus)
- Hovi Star (Israel)
Guest artists
- Kids.IL (The Israeli representatives at Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2012)
- Izhar Cohen – The first Israeli Eurovision winner (1978). He also represented Israel in Eurovision 1985.
- Avi Toledano – The Israeli representative at Eurovision 1982 and the composer of the Israeli entry for Eurovision 1983.
- Moran Mazor – The Israeli representative at Eurovision 2013.
- Svika Pick – The composer of Israel’s winning song for Eurovision 1998, “Diva”.
The hostesses: Ziona Patriot and Talula Bonet.
You can follow the event’s official social media channels below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/israelcalling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/israelcalling
Twitter: https://twitter.com/israelcalling
Expectations are high: The Israeli parties during Eurovision are usually the best ones. This is how the Israeli party looked at EuroClub 2015 in Vienna.
The event is initiated and produced by television producer Mrs. Tali Eshkoli, who previously produced Israel’s biggest Eurovision national selection, Kdam Eurovision 2013, as well as a series of documentary films and televised articles about the contest and the artists who represented Israel. You might also r
ecognize her as the Israeli spokesperson at Melodifestivalen this year.
Eshkoli is also behind the collaboration between the Israel Broadcasting Authority and Keshet Media Group, resulting in having the popular TV show “The Next Star” as the Israeli national selection for Eurovision 2015 and 2016. Eshkoli also produces the famous Israel Party which occurs every year at the Eurovision Song Contest host city. Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have joined Mrs. Eshkoli’s initiative, knowing that the visitors are public opinion leaders, and can contribute immensely to Israel’s tourism and international reputation.
Well, i must admit that Tali Eshkoli seems like a woman who knows how to treat and make happy her man. Being her husband must be a big chance. 🙂
@Nitzan – quote: “Eshkoli is also behind the collaboration between the Israel Broadcasting Authority and Keshet Media Group, resulting in having the popular TV show “The Next Star” as the Israeli national selection for Eurovision 2015 and 2016.” There is probably a grain of truth in that, which is why I made reference to her role as a TV producer. For a first event of its kind in Israel, I figure that 7-10 countries represented is reasonable. Of course I’d love to see that figure exceed those modest expectations, but with a busy schedule ahead and other factors playing into… Read more »
@Robyn Whats ur reason? 🙂
@Erin the lineup for the show is great and will probably get even better, have no worries. Bare in mind that Tali Eshkoli has nothing to do with the Next Star.
@ William – I think that this time you have no excuse and the time has arrived for your TLV trip! 🙂
Barei is going to have a very busy April… She was confirmed for Riga, Amsterdam, Moscu and London, and now Tel Aviv too! I don’t know if she will reach the top 10, but atleats she is promoting Say Yay.
We on Eurovision time know
Joe and Jake
Barei
Hovi Star
are all taking part!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640367806185048/?fref=ts
@Mei International – my issue is separating between the PR machine and the facts: that’s all. I’m all for a humongous party that showcases Tel Aviv and makes it synonymous with a must stop place for Eurovision partying, but in order to achieve that not just as a one-off event, it’s TV producers like Tali Eshkoli who shouldn’t sit back on their laurels following this year’s failure of ‘The Next Star’ format and stop idolizing a show that has clearly failed to meet basic Eurovision standards of transparency and creativity. It’s just a smoke screen if you get the party… Read more »
@Maya G i wouldnt compere Corpus Christi to petah tikva to rehovot althouge it look intersting
And NY city is not is my list for united state
Petah tikva remaind me madrid
Rehovot remaind me riga
and Rishon remaind me sofia
@Darren if europe is only Berlin and London so yes tel aviv is the most european city but in europe we also have:cardiff,sofia,riga,lisbon,madrid and many other
@Erin what’s your issue here…..
@William Adams – That’s great news and I’m glad the penny has finally dropped in Israel and that it’s not just a PR communique without much substance. @Nitzan – True, Belarus and Moldova are now confirmed but they could have waited a few more days with this media blitz by releasing a list of 6-8 confirmed countries to show they mean ‘business’. This is basically an exercise in PR for Tali Eshkoli who has to show that she can pull off this event and turn it into an annual affair. I don’t believe her 2013 production of the biggest Kdam… Read more »
I cannot wait to welcome you all to this amazing, vibrant, tolerant, beautiful and exciting city I call home!!
@elad You wouldn’t recommend tourists to go to Tel Aviv, but you would take them to see Rehovot and Petah Tikva? LOL It’s like telling tourists to the US they mustn’t visit NYC and take them to Corpus Christi, Texas instead 😀
Erin, the fact that no name was published yet doesn’t mean none were assured.
Tel Aviv is the best option for this kind of event, as Tel is the party city of Israel and the likely choice for a host city if Israel ever win again.
Its the most lively and most “European” city in Israel, its also the safest and close to the main airport (Ben Gurion) so it makes sense really,
Tel Aviv also has a thriving gay community which of course would benefit from ESC
I’m happy that Israel has decided to host a pre-party. It’s a chance for the competing artists to show their songs to Israel and give them more publicity, and it’s also good Israel is taking the contest seriously to have a pre-party. Looking forward to hearing who will be there!
The initiators and of this event have not assured the presence of even ONE single participant from the other 42 participating countries at this point…talk about putting the cart before the horse.
@elad
and why 18+ is bad idea?
because big part of eurovision fan is israel are below 18
and you can see it especially in the twitter
when i dont think i saw someone from israel over 18 tweet about eurovision.
Would love to see Michal Szpak of Poland there! He is cool…
Keshet should stop to do wrong decisions about eurovision
there are decided that israel will success and sing only with english
and now this,i’m not against the party i against that it is in tel aviv and in 18+ place
because as israeli tel aviv is only city in israel that i never recommend for tourist.
if tourist came to israel he should see cities like Haifa Rehovot Petah Tikva Tiberias and of course Jerusalem.
Tel aviv didnt reflect the real israel
this city is cosmopolitan city.
omg eurovision in concert keeps getting more competition over the years XD i hope we can remain being the biggest pre party over the years…
Sounds impressive.