He’s often talked about in Eurovision circles. But on Monday Eurovision 2019 stage designer Florian Wieder did the talking himself.
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 (“Keshet”), he promised an unforgettable event and revealed more details about the contest and his Jewish origins.
In a candid interview, he admitted that he’s been a fan of Israel for many years, perhaps owing to his roots. He also shared his vision about the stage design which is, he says, related not only to triangles forming the star of David, but also Jewish ancestry and lineage.
“The entire inspiration came from the Star Of David, but this is just a shape. I have another feature that actually stands for the 12 tribes”.
Wieder is referring to the 12 sons of the patriarch Jacob who, according to Judaism, are the creators of the United Israeli Kingdom.
When asked whether he has any concerns regarding the threats to boycott the contest in Israel by the BDS movement, he indicated that Eurovision is a musical event and should remain free from politics.
But the most interesting part of the interview was about the event itself. Despite his refusal to give specific details, he said that Eurovision 2019 will be “stunning”. He hinted that the event will also include an opening ceremony that has never been seen in the history of the contest.
During his interview, which was broadcast on the evening news, more photos of the stage design were also revealed.
About Florian Wieder
Florian Wieder made his Eurovision debut in 2011, when Germany hosted the contest in Düsseldorf. His design for Esprit Arena involved a large round stage with a giant video wall behind it.
He was brought back the following year to design the stage for Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan. That design featured sharp angles, multiple catwalks and was the last to have a fully seated audience.
Wieder’s next Eurovision experience was three years later, when neighbouring Austria requested his services. For the Wiener Stadthalle, the stage was encircled by a series of tubes and featured an “eye” design at the back of the stage.
Two years later Wieder designed the stage for Kyiv, and was challenged by the limited size of the International Exhibition Centre. The design featured a round stage with a moveable “chandelier” lighting fixture above.
The German designer’s services were again used in Lisbon. His stage at Altice Arena featured many arching shapes, two outer catwalks and — controversially — did not use any LED panels.
Last November, he won Israeli broadcaster KAN’s tender for the stage design in Tel Aviv and this will be the 6th Eurovision stage that he will design overall.
Watch Florian’s full interview with Channel 12:
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The problem with Florian Wieder is that his focus is on making the stage itself look good, rather than making each act look good. That’s why my favourite is still 2016.
Right! 2016 was the best stage to date, the acts really looked their best.
He is the San Marino of the stages! Thank you, next year
I think you might have missed the point of a diamond shape stage in which all the prisms shine and wrap the artists on stage like a kaleidoscope.
I love it and i think it would come across very well on TV. Acts can choose to use the catwalk or stay in the inner frame, use the LED screen or not and play aroung with lights.
Can we put more illuminati symbols, maybe all seing eye, on the stage too?? that would be awesome. i see we have their pyramid
There will probably be a lot of references in may, funny how they make it so obvious.. could have predicted the design months ago but it is just a coincidence they chose this right? They could hardly fit more triangles on that stage lol
I hope next year someone more creative designs the stage
What exactly do you call “creative”?
Someone who doesnt simply put a led screen and a circular stage in every design he does. Bye
You’re being dishonest by forgetting Baku.
Does this stage looks like a circle to you? Really?
The biggest song contest in the world WHO? Not with that stage :/
MTV, AMA, even Melfest can put togehter better stage. I was expecting more from Israel.
You do know there is no other contest showing 40+ artists?? The stage does not make it big or small
Totally not impressed with his previous stages, but this one seems really promising. Either he is finally going the extra mile because he likes the host country, OR the previous broadcasters restricted his visions.
Probably the latter, both of the design in the last two years seems to be watered down in the name of cost.
Copenhagen and Stockholm are the ones to beat, for me personally.
In Kiev a central feature of the stage was supposed to be augmental reality. It was cut off in the last minute due to financial problems. His MTV sets looked amazing and also the 2011 stage. I guess it depends on the budget.
The stage is the one thing I would not save money on, as a broadcaster. It’s the most memorable thing.
Israeli propaganda? No, thank you
Well, I certainly am the last person to condone Israeli propaganda, but using elements of your heritage and local characteristics to present yourself in a unique way is hardly propaganda, or anything bad, really.
Oh look, here’s the idiotic comment I was expecting
It’s even more spectacular now!
What attracts my attention is, is the screen going to be trapezoid or is it just an illusion? It looked more like the former, but i hope those were just a shape made by the lamps inside the screen.
And, I ove those vertical lighting on the stage and catwalks!
Turns out the backwal consists of separate rectangular LED panels! That’s amazing!
Spectacular stage!