The excitement around Eurovision 2025 is palpable as the contest kicks off this week in Basle, Switzerland. The 69th edition is being hosted at the St Jakobshalle, which boasts a capacity of 12,000 attendees. This follows Switzerland’s victory last year, when Nemo triumphed with “No Code.” The first semi-final took place on Tuesday, with another semi-final featuring Ireland scheduled for Thursday at 8 PM, and the grand final will air on Saturday at 8 PM, with broadcasts on RTÉ2 and RTÉ One.
Representing Ireland at this year’s contest is the 24-year-old Norwegian singer, Emmy Kristiansen. She is set to perform her song “Laika Party,” which she co-wrote with Westmeath-based Larissa Tormey. Emmy, who hails from a small village in Norway, previously reached Norway’s Eurovision national finals in 2021. Joining her on stage will be her brother Erlend, who will provide keyboard accompaniment while maintaining a deadpan expression.
“Laika Party” draws its inspiration from the famous Soviet space dog, Laika, who was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957. The song aims to reimagine Laika’s fate—transforming a tragic story into one of exuberance, with Emmy expressing hopes that Laika continues to “spin around” the Earth in joy. The song has generated mixed reviews among Eurovision fans, praised for its catchy melody but critiqued for the somber undertone of its subject matter. This clever juxtaposition is intentional, as Emmy seeks to bestow a happier narrative on Laika’s legacy.
In a tradition where Eurovision has seen artists representing countries other than their own, Emmy’s role as an Irish representative is fitting within this context. Previous examples include Katrina Leskanich and Flo Rida, who also brought their talents to other countries’ entries.
Staging plays a crucial role at Eurovision, and Emmy is set to embrace the science fiction theme of her song with a visually striking performance, featuring purple neon lighting and a starry backdrop. Following some adjustments post-rehearsal, Emmy is geared up to deliver her best at the competition.
Performance-wise, Emmy will take to the stage on Thursday, placed third in the running order, which is considered a challenging position as songs later in the lineup statistically perform better. With ten of the sixteen entries expected to advance to the grand final based on public voting, there’s optimism for her potential to progress, although she faces steep odds at 100/1 to clinch the overall victory.
The competition remains fierce, with Sweden emerging as a front-runner in the odds, hoping to secure an eighth win. As Israel’s entry has spurred controversy, the Eurovision organizers continue striving for a balanced and secure environment for all participants, implementing new protocols for backstage safety.
With so much talent on display and a wide array of performances, Eurovision 2025 promises to be a memorable event brimming with both creativity and camaraderie among nations, showcasing a unique blend of musical talent and cultural expression.