In theory, the idea of cultural and sporting events as apolitical, unifying arenas is beautiful and visionary.
In reality, the idea is quite naive.
Now the theme can be put to the test, when this year’s Eurovision will be held in Malmö this week with Israel among the participating countries.
It could get really heated in the city in the next few days, not least around the announced Koran burning on Friday. Even if the police have a strong presence and will monitor with drones, the security challenges will be significant.
Because this can turn into chaos.
A key question is whether it is possible to arrange a melody festival that will be exclusively a music party, without any of those who want to express their support for Palestine being allowed to use the broadcast for that message.
Fronting the Palestinian flag is a widely used tool, but the organizer has therefore decided to ban it in the arena in the south of Sweden.
It’s a risky line to choose.
It is extremely difficult to control such a ban, given that it is a live TV broadcast with a gigantic TV audience.
If someone in the hall wants to bring Palestinian flags in, it is unlikely to be a very difficult matter to get it past the guards.
So inflamed is the situation surrounding what is happening in Gaza, that a flag refusal can quickly provoke people. Getting such a no can be pure fuel for those who insist on flying the flag.
Well, that’s how relevant it can be for artists to hitch a ride in the provision.
The organizer is at a loss if someone uses the live broadcast to break the rules of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
If we get a Palestine stunt live, it will of course generate tremendous attention. It is something actors in the Grand Prix circus do not necessarily mind.
This may in turn lead to the fact that much of the story of Eurovision will be about something other than who has the best song or the coolest stage show.
In the past, both Tix and Mona Berntsen have used the stage to bring out the Palestinian flag.
In the host city, there are many who will use the opportunity to celebrate. Around a hundred demonstrations have been requested in Malmö in the last days before the giant event.
Malmö is a city with large groups of people who are not particularly Israel-friendly.
This again means that there will probably be a massive police presence in the next few days. The Israeli authorities have tightened the travel advice for its own residents.
The question then becomes to what extent it will be successful in keeping politics away from pop music.
Throughout history, we have seen countless examples of how futile it is to think that sport and culture can be shielded from the world of reality.
One of the most iconic examples is how American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos promoted the “Black Power” message on the podium at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
In recent times, quarterback Colin Kaepernick sparked major discussions in the United States, after he knelt during the national anthem to protest police violence and the treatment of people of color.
During the football World Cup in Qatar, FIFA threatened European football nations to drop the plan to let the captain play with a Pride armband.
In the same championship, Morocco actively involved the Palestinian issue.
The flag was actively fronted in front of the cameras and it frequently waved in the stands, even without a Palestinian national team among the participants.
In the world of culture, we have seen boycotts during Oscar shows and film festivals.
The symbolism lay heavily on Ukraine’s victory with the Kalush Orchestra in 2022, a triumph that was hardly only related to the contribution’s musical qualities.
It is not at all certain that politics will interfere when it comes to Malmö, but no one should be surprised if there are demonstrations in support of the Palestinian cause.
No matter how apolitical the organizer hesitates to appear.
