Riga, Moscow, Amsterdam — done, done and dusted!

Now the Eurovision pre-party circus heads East to beautiful Israel, where 20 artists will perform live on Tuesday evening.

Israel’s biggest Eurovision celebration since it hosted in 1999, “Israel Calling” stretches out over three days from Monday to Wednesday and is filled with sight-seeing tours, a red carpet gala, a concert and much, much more.

Last year Israel’s Nadav Guedj pleaded for us to let him show us Tel Aviv and it’s already happening as acts and journalists descend on Israel’s capital of cool.

Enthusiastic organisers kindly picked up members of the international press — including wiwibloggs — at the airport on Sunday.

We are loving the rainbow-coloured logo, which hints at the diversity of beautiful Israel.

Let the #Eurovision celebrations begin! We've landed at @israelcalling #israelcalling

A post shared by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) on

Speaking of beauty, we bumped into several Euro-stars while sitting in the lobby of our plush hotel.

Moldova’s Lidia Isac, Estonia’s Juri Pootsmann and Lithuania’s Donny Montell were among the first acts to arrive on Sunday night.

We’re sure they will share plenty of secrets with each other over the breakfast table and we can’t wait to listen!

For now we’re enjoying a bit of selfie action. Look at how Donny glows!

Eurovision Pre-Party Tel Aviv 2016 Line-up

  • Sergey Lazarev (Russia)
  • Amir (France)
  • Sanja Vucic ZAA (Serbia)
  • Freddie (Hungary)
  • 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)

The action kicks off on Monday evening when the acts will walk the red carpet and attend a gala reception. Do you have any questions for the artists? Let us know in the comments section and we’ll do our best to get you answers.

Israel calling Tel Aviv promo video 2016

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85 Comments
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Leo
Leo
8 years ago

To Hovi:

Will you say “Hello bitches!!” on stage on the 12th May??

nemesis
nemesis
8 years ago

To Micha? Szpak: How are you Micha?, how did you spend last time? Are you ready to rock this concert? 🙂 Rock on!

Big kisses for MICHA?! :-*

bloodymary
bloodymary
8 years ago

Serhat who win this year ?

adrianbarbera@hotmail.es
8 years ago

We miss Barei

Sara
Sara
8 years ago

A question for Micha?: Will there be a Polish version of your song, Color of Your Life?
From Sweden with love

jaicherchelookingforyou
jaicherchelookingforyou
8 years ago

haha & a Q for Freddie
What does he think about Serhat?

jaicherchelookingforyou
jaicherchelookingforyou
8 years ago

SoundofBirds, I didnt mean to critise the questions I just asked mine.))) I’m his longtime fan & I won’t be liking it when he will stay onstage & listen to ‘tolerant’ Europe booing him & wanting him to fail. thats why I was aginst him participating initially.

A Q to Michal from Poland – Is there any other language he likes to sing?

Hovi
Hovi
8 years ago

@ Monica hello micha? is nice singer and i like his song but i im best

Monica
Monica
8 years ago

To Hovi Israel
What do you think polish Song and Singer Michal Szpak? Greetings Ftom Poland Hovi
Beauty song!

darling
darling
8 years ago

Ask to Michael Szpak how many years you got a long hair

malena
malena
8 years ago

I Ask to Micha? Szpak why people call you a “Cochita”?

anuletta
anuletta
8 years ago

Freedie Pionier i Love you :*

Sylvie
Sylvie
8 years ago

To Michal: You impressed people with your stunning vocals (which we fans already knew exactly), you already got new fans from all over the world (meaning you are on the way to become internationally known). How does it feel to be loved by so many people? What are your plans for the future after the ESC? What do you think what you can achieve in your career by participating in this contest?

Mandy
Mandy
8 years ago

I have two questions for Michal Szpak:

1. What’s on your mind when you notice your music can reach other places outside Poland, mostly other continents such as Asia and America?
2. Your album, Byle Byc Soba, has strong influences from the 80s and the 90s music. At the same time, it reflects your musical and personal maturity. How can you say about it?

Give my regards from Brazil!

Victoria
Victoria
8 years ago

Hello there! Questions for Mr Wonderful Michal Szpak please:

Is he going to release more music soon? We want to hear more of him. Will he tour North America/Canada? Thanks for the music!

Thank you!

boyan08
boyan08
8 years ago

Poli: Are you going to Host the next year of ESC if you win in May?
Samra:How would be the feel,if you fail to qualify?
IVAN:When and from Where did you get the idea to preform naked and with wolves in May?
Sanja ZAA:I have seen you before ESC on the Serbian TV,Did You’ve been on reality shows or Musical Events?And are you happy with that the fans are calling you Second Kaliopi?

Jacques
Jacques
8 years ago

@ Hovi Star Are you single?

And where is the lover boy Nicky Byrne?

karminowe.usta
karminowe.usta
8 years ago

Ask Sergey about Russian version his song. When would be available?:)

ARCHIFY
ARCHIFY
8 years ago

To JOE and JAKE, What ideas do you have for the eurovision stage? And what will you do to make it different to others, as last year we had the light up dresses, what will happen this year, and dont say you cant say, as you must be able to tell us a tiny bit!

Stephanie
8 years ago

To Amir: How does it feel to have all this support from not just Europe, but from around the world? I’m from Canada and I absolutely adore your song!

To Rykka: From one Canadian to another, what three things about Switzerland remind you of your Canadian roots?

Skandar
Skandar
8 years ago

I really miss Iveta from this list. I wanted to watch her singing in live.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

@Sanja from Serbia: Will you perform on the Eurovision stage with your make up done like in your “music video” or will you choose a more natural look? (I love the natural look, by the way! 🙂 )

@Rykka from Switzerland: What does the music video you shot for “The Last of Our Kind” look like? Where did you film it? Is the staging inspired by it?

Laura
Laura
8 years ago

@Michal Szpak: Are you single?

Laura
Laura
8 years ago

Question to all of them. What is your favorite song of ESC 2016? )))))

Samantha
Samantha
8 years ago

Some questions:

Poli Genova: Why did she wanted to sing in english this time?
Jüri Pootsmann: Has he any plans with Stig Rästa for the future?
Sandhja: How did she feel when she found out, that she wasn’t the public’s favourite in Finland? Does she feel pressure after Finland’s poor result last year?
Hovi Star: Best RuPaul’s song?

Sarah Boucher
8 years ago

to sergey: will there be a russian version of you are the only one?
to zoe: will there be a german version of loin d’ici?
to sandhja: will there be finnish and swedish versions of sing it away?
to rykka: will there be french, italian, and german versions of the last of our kind?

SoundofBirds
SoundofBirds
8 years ago

@jaichechelooking foryou: People just want to be safe. That expectation is not ‘Russophobia’, it is a basic human right. Mis-labelling things as “phobia”, whether ‘homophobia’ or ‘Russophobia’, doesn’t help the conversation and only diminishes the genuine situations that are filled with the ignorance/hatred of such things as Russo- or homophobia. Asking Sergey about how Russia would welcome fans is in no way an attack on him — on the contrary, his answer to the question might encourage people to support him. It’s a fair question; ignoring an obvious concern isn’t going to help solve any problem. I for one do… Read more »

Ciaran
Ciaran
8 years ago

Once again Ireland will not be at the party but can you ask them about staging and what their ideas are for the arena in Stockholm

ESC_Button
ESC_Button
8 years ago

Thanks, she is one lucky lady his wife 🙂 @getting exciting

say yay
say yay
8 years ago

great idea to ask them to sing some song from the contest
Preferably the one their country sent before
Like Juri to sing last year’s Estonian entry & Sergei – Everybody dance :))))

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

To Samra
What is her favourite entry ever and why
Do you have a goal for Eurovision
When did you notice you wanted to be a singer

jaichechelooking foryou
jaichechelooking foryou
8 years ago

to Serg – isnt he tired of LGBT questions & russophobia? what made him reconsider taking part in this contest that has notorious anti russian crowd? How has he prepared mentally to stand in front of this crowd especially if he wins? Any advice on that he received from Polina & the sisters? Samra – secrets of her beauty? :)))) Michal Szpak – secrets of his handsomness & hair advice? :))) Hovi – What helps him stay that positive & shine? Amir – Any more songs he would like to cover from this year? Does he like RnB music? What… Read more »

getting exciting
getting exciting
8 years ago

“Amir (France) Who’s the one that’s making him strong?”
hah great question!!!!!

xLoveWavex
8 years ago

To everyone:What are your plans after Eurovision?

ESC_Button
ESC_Button
8 years ago

For all of them; When is your earliest Eurovision memory?

sufle
sufle
8 years ago

For everyone: what do you do when you aren’t rehearsing?

ESC_Button
ESC_Button
8 years ago

Probs best not ask Sergey those kinda heavy questions as the poor chap has just fainted, btw love you wiwibloggs, bring me all the eurovision pre-party love, here are my questions, btw if you need anything just let me know, i’ve subscribed and liked your videos (I’m a good boy), lets do this; Sergey Lazarev (Russia) Your video looks really fun, did you enjoy making it? Amir (France) Who’s the one that’s making him strong? Sanja Vucic ZAA (Serbia) She’s really cute is she single? Does she faincy any of the boys? she makes a cute couple with Joe (UK)?… Read more »

sg
sg
8 years ago

i agree with @maslo

Héctor
Héctor
8 years ago

It’s a pity Barei had finally cancelled her participation, this pre-party seems to be more important and to have a higher repercussion than Riga and Moscow.

Theo
Theo
8 years ago

To Joe & Jake – will you guys be the only 2 people on the stage or will there be dancers/backing singers?

Theo
Theo
8 years ago

To Donny – is there more pressure performing at Eurovision the 2nd time?

Theo
Theo
8 years ago

To Rykka – what was it like winning the Swiss national selection, which had so many submissions?

Alex S
Alex S
8 years ago

Its just an idea but I hope that you could ask this question. To Juri Pootsman, Sanja Vucic, Poli Genova and Hovi Star: Do you plan to release an official ABBA cover soon? The mini cover that the three of you (Poli, Hovi and Sanja) did during an interview was amazing, even though it was only a pinch of Super Trouper, the cover was great. I believe that you could do a great job as a group, even though I hadn’t seen the 4 of you together but I believe that more could be better, as all of you are… Read more »

Hayley
Hayley
8 years ago

Latvia and Spain won’t be here?

yst
yst
8 years ago

To Amir: In many occasions a strong song and even clear favorites ended up badly because of the staging. It is no secret that your song has good chances for the win, but do you have something special prepared for us when you’ll enter the stage? 2nd : In the last years France has been the “Ugly Duckling” of the big 5. But this year you are the 2nd for the bookies and a fan favorite. Do you think that France has decided this year to enter a strong song because they will be preparred to host the ESC 2017… Read more »

Antonio
Antonio
8 years ago

To Poli: Do you wear hair extensions?

Anton
Anton
8 years ago

MichaelaCZE
He thinks OK as he’s gay himself.

Anton
Anton
8 years ago

marie
It’s clear that he doesn’t want to meet Jamala.

Alaskof
Alaskof
8 years ago

Agnete is sick with a virus and won’t be there!! :'(

Mark
Mark
8 years ago

Romania have the best song in this contest , i think is a real winner 🙂 Romania have something special , it’s new and cool , why we don’t see Eurovision 2017 in Romania? Romania is beauty and a UE country and i think this country try a lot to win every year , let’s give her the winner title this year 🙂

ROMANIA EUROVISION WINNER 2017