Eurovison and Boycotts
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiHr4gKRaos
The Eurovision Song Contest has long been known for being extravagant, theatrical, and camp. Every year, millions of viewers watch one of the world’s largest live music competitions. However, the 70th edition of Eurovision in Vienna felt very different.
Instead of focusing only on music and entertainment, much of the attention surrounding Eurovision 2026 centered on politics, boycotts, and questions about the contest’s credibility.
This year, Bulgaria won Eurovision for the first time with the song “Bangaranga,” performed by 27-year-old singer Dara. The song received 516 points and topped both the jury and public votes.
Despite Bulgaria’s historic victory, many viewers felt uncomfortable about the political atmosphere surrounding the event. Eurovision’s slogan, “United By Music,” appeared ironic because of tensions linked to the war in Gaza.
Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands officially boycotted the contest because Israel was still allowed to participate. These countries argued that Eurovision could not claim political neutrality while permitting Israel’s participation during the conflict.
The controversy comes from Eurovision’s earlier decision to remove Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Critics accused the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of applying a double standard by banning Russia but continuing to allow Israel to compete.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended Spain’s decision to withdraw from Eurovision. He praised RTVE for taking what he described as a “consistent and necessary” moral stance. RTVE also broadcast messages supporting peace and justice for Palestine before the final.
Many Eurovision fans expressed mixed emotions online. Some believed Spain’s boycott was courageous and principled, while others argued that music competitions should remain separate from political conflicts.
The debate over Eurovision is part of a larger global conversation about the effectiveness of boycotts. Throughout modern history, consumers and governments have used boycotts, sanctions, and activism to pressure countries and companies to change their behavior.
Some experts believe boycotts can be effective because they damage a country’s economy or public image. Others argue that boycotts are often symbolic and rarely change government policy directly. Critics also point out that ordinary workers and businesses may suffer more than political leaders.
At the same time, cultural and sporting events continue to raise questions about whether they truly unite people or simply reflect existing political rivalry and tensions. Events such as the Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, and Eurovision are designed to promote cooperation, yet they frequently become platforms for political protest and backlash.
Despite the controversy, Eurovision remains enormously popular. Fans argue that the competition celebrates diversity, creativity, authenticity, and freedom of expression. Others believe it has become too political and commercialized. As global conflicts continue to influence international events, the debate is likely to remain highly controversial for many years.
2.
What do you know about these controversies?
1. Russia being banned from sporting competitions
2. Political protests at the Olympic Games
3. FIFA World Cup controversies in Qatar
4. Cultural boycotts of countries at war
5. Social media campaigns against international companies
3. VOCABULARY MATCH
PART A
1. double standard | e. ability to be trusted or believed |
2. camp | g. |
3. boycott | b. humorous because it is exaggerated and theatrical |
4. praise | h. a publicly expressed opinion or position |
5. credibility | c. refusal to participate or buy something |
6. authenticity | a. strong approval or admiration for someone's achievements or qualities |
7. | f. |
PART B
9. principled | l. a strong, negative, or hostile reaction to a particular event |
10.cooperation | o. action intended to create political or social change |
11. backlash | n. strong competition between groups or countries |
12. commercialized | k. |
13. sanctions | p. influenced too much by money or business interests |
14. rivalry | j. |
15. activism | m. individuals or groups working together to achieve a common goal |
4. SYNONYM MATCH
Match the words with their synonyms.
Word | Synonym |
1. broadcast | a. conflict |
2. tuned in | b. reputation |
3. double standard | c. watched |
4. credibility | d. audience |
5. boycott | e. air |
6. stance | f. refusal |
7. viewers | g. position |
8. authenticity | h. excessive / exagerated |
9. over-the-top | i. originality |
10. tension | j. favoritism |
5. COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
1. Why did several countries boycott Eurovision 2026?
2. Why were some people accusing the EBU of double standards?
3. How did Spain respond to Eurovision this year?
4. Why did some viewers question Israel’s televoting success?
5. What did Pedro Sánchez mean by “the right side of history”?
6. Why do some fans think Eurovision is losing authenticity?
7. How has Eurovision reflected politics throughout its history?
8. Should cultural competitions remain politically neutral?
9. Do you think Spain made the correct decision?
10. Can music help reduce international tensions?
6. SCENARIOS: “What would you do?”
1. THE EUROVISION BOYCOTT
After European Broadcasting Union removed Russia from Eurovision following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many fans questioned why Israel was still allowed to participate in Eurovision Song Contest 2024 during the war in Gaza. Spain announces it will not participate, while social media explodes with arguments and online attacks between fans.
→ If you were representing Spain at Eurovision, would you perform or support the boycott? Explain your decision.
2. THE SUPERMARKET BOYCOTT
Workers at companies such as Amazon have complained about exhausting schedules, surveillance, and low salaries. Now, a viral video shows supermarket employees saying they are overworked and underpaid, but your family shops there because the prices are cheaper.
→ Would you continue shopping there, or would you try to convince your family to stop? What realistic alternative would you suggest?
3. THE WORLD CUP CONTROVERSY
The 2022 FIFA World Cup faced criticism because of migrant worker conditions and human rights concerns. Your national football team now qualifies for another World Cup hosted by a country accused of similar abuses.
→ If you were the captain of the team, what action would you take before the first match to respond to the controversy?
4. THE CELEBRITY SCANDAL
Celebrities such as Kanye West and J.K. Rowling caused major online debates after controversial political comments. A famous singer you listen to posts similar comments, and people begin canceling concerts and attacking fans online.
→ Would you stop supporting the artist, or would you separate their opinions from their music? Why?
5. THE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Meta faced criticism for failing to protect user data. TikTok has also been investigated because of privacy concerns. Now, a popular app used by your friends is accused of secretly collecting user information.
→ Would you delete the app even if most of your friends continued using it? Why or why not?
6. THE OLYMPIC GAMES PROTEST
At the 1968 Summer Olympics, athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested racial inequality during the medal ceremony. Today, athletes at the Olympics raise signs calling for peace during an international conflict.
→ If you were an Olympic athlete, would you risk punishment to protest publicly during the Games? Why?
7. THE FAST-FOOD BOYCOTT
Companies such as McDonald's and Starbucks recently faced boycott campaigns connected to international political conflicts. Protesters now gather outside a fast-food restaurant in your city after photos appear online showing the company supporting soldiers involved in a conflict.
→ Would you continue eating there, or would you join the boycott? Explain your decision.
8. THE UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGN
At universities such as Columbia University, students organized protest camps demanding institutions cut ties with controversial companies. At your university, demonstrations now block entrances to buildings and interrupt classes.
→ Would you join the protests even if they affected your classes and exams? Why or why not?
9. THE FASHION BRAND CONTROVERSY
Companies such as Shein, Nike, and Zara have faced criticism over sweatshops, unsafe factories, and child labor. A documentary now reveals shocking factory conditions connected to a trendy brand popular on TikTok.
→ Would you stop buying from the brand even if ethical clothing was more expensive? Why or why not?
10. THE STREAMING PLATFORM
Netflix has faced backlash over controversial documentaries and comedy specials. A streaming platform now releases a documentary about a political conflict, and thousands of users cancel subscriptions because they believe it spreads misinformation.
→ Should the platform remove the documentary, or should it protect freedom of expression? Explain your opinion.
11. THE EUROVISION SPONSOR
Large events such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Eurovision have been criticized because of controversial sponsors connected to environmental damage or corruption. A major Eurovision sponsor is now accused of environmental destruction and political corruption.
→ If you organized Eurovision, would you remove the sponsor even if the event lost millions of euros? Why?
12. THE TOURISM BOYCOTT
Tourism to Russia decreased sharply after wars and political instability. Hotels, restaurants, and local workers suffered financially because tourists stopped visiting.
→ Would you cancel a holiday to a country accused of human rights abuses, even if ordinary workers depended on tourism money? Why or why not?
13. THE TRUE CRIME TV SHOW
Streaming platforms such as Netflix have become extremely popular for true crime documentaries and series about real murders and criminal investigations. However, some families of victims have criticized these productions, arguing that companies make money from tragedies while reopening emotional trauma for relatives. Some crime shows have also been accused of exaggerating facts to attract more viewers.
You work on the production team of a successful true crime series. Your company wants to make a new season about a recent murder case that is still very sensitive for the victim’s family. The series could become a huge international success, but some relatives publicly ask the producers to stop filming.
→ Would you continue producing the series, or would you cancel the project out of respect for the family? Explain your decision
14. THE CONTROVERSIAL FRONT PAGE
A newspaper based in Barcelona receives a shocking photo from a violent street protest. The image shows the exact moment police officers hit a protester. Some journalists want to publish it on the front page because they believe it shows the truth, while others think it could increase social tension and anger.
→ If you were the editor of the newspaper, would you publish the photo on the front page? Why or why not?
15. THE UNCONFIRMED POLITICAL SCANDAL
During elections in Catalonia, a reporter working for your newspaper receives anonymous information accusing a famous politician of corruption. Social media users are already spreading rumors, but the newspaper still does not have enough proof.
→ Would you publish the story quickly to avoid losing the exclusive, or would you wait for stronger evidence? Explain your decision.
16. THE CLICKBAIT PROBLEM
Your newspaper is losing readers because many young people now get their news from TikTok and Instagram. The editors ask journalists to write more dramatic and emotional headlines to attract clicks, even if some reporters believe this damages the newspaper’s credibility.
→ If you worked at the newspaper, would you agree to write clickbait headlines to help the company survive financially?
17. THE EXTREME POLITICAL INTERVIEW
A far-right political party agrees to give an exclusive interview to your newspaper. Some journalists believe interviewing them is important for freedom of speech and public debate, while others think giving them media attention could normalize dangerous ideas.
→ Do you think newspapers should give a platform to all political groups, even extremist ones? Why or why not?
18. AI IN THE NEWSROOM
Your newspaper begins using artificial intelligence to write short articles about sports, traffic, and breaking news. Some journalists worry they may lose their jobs, while the newspaper directors argue that AI is necessary to compete with digital media and survive economically.
→ If you worked at the newspaper, would you see AI as a useful tool or as a threat to journalism? Explain your opinion.
19. THE VICTIM’S FAMILY
Your crime documentary team is producing a series about a famous murder case that shocked the country. The streaming platform believes the show could become as successful as documentaries on Netflix, but the victim’s family publicly says the series is exploiting their trauma and asks production to stop.
→ Would you continue producing the documentary, or would you cancel the project out of respect for the family? Explain your decision.
20. THE FALSELY ACCUSED SUSPECT
Your production company discovers that a suspect presented as guilty in an older crime series may actually have been innocent. Journalists begin questioning the accuracy of the original show, and social media users accuse the producers of destroying someone’s reputation for entertainment.
→ If you were the producer, would you publicly admit the mistakes and risk damaging the company’s reputation?
21. THE GRAPHIC CRIME SCENE
A director working on your crime series wants to include graphic crime scene photos and realistic reenactments to make the show more “authentic.” Some members of the team believe this will attract viewers, while others think it is disrespectful and sensationalist.
→ Should crime shows include disturbing real-life details if they increase ratings and realism? Why or why not?
22. THE CRIMINAL CELEBRITY
A convicted murderer agrees to participate in an exclusive interview for your crime series. The episode could become extremely popular, but critics argue the show is turning criminals into celebrities while victims are forgotten.
→ Would you air the interview, or would you refuse to give the criminal more public attention? Explain your decision.
23. THE COPYCAT FEAR
After the release of a successful crime series inspired by real murders, police and psychologists warn that some violent people may imitate crimes shown in the program. Online discussions begin blaming true crime entertainment for influencing dangerous behavior.
→ If you worked on the series, would you feel responsible for possible copycat crimes? Why or why not?
24. THE LEAKED EVIDENCE
During production of a true crime show, someone from the team secretly leaks confidential police evidence online before the trial begins. The information goes viral, and lawyers argue it could affect the case and influence the jury.
→ If you discovered who leaked the evidence, would you report your coworker even if it damaged the production?
7. FILL IN THE BLANKS :
1. The Eurovision contest is happening in Austria this year. They are the competition.
2. This year 35 countries will be competing. In 2002, it was 24 countries. What is another way to say 24? .
3. The Eurovision Song Contest's first year was 1956. Because it was the first year this event was happening, it was the event .
4. Last year Austria was the winner and Israel was the second place. Having the second place means that Israel was the .
They had this position two times .
5. The Israel - Palestine topic divides people and creates a lot of hostility between them. This topic is considered to be very .
6. If you had a conflict with someone and stopped talking, then you had a
.
7. You have tickets to the event but they are at the highest and the most distant seats from the stage. They are also the cheapest tickets that you were able to find. So, the place where you are seated at the event is called the seats.
8. If many people are respecting and admiring Spain´s actions, then they are
to Spain.
9. If watching Eurovision live in concert is one of your dreams, then it is on your
.
10. If you are not a fan of Eurovision, then it is not your .
If you like Eurovision but you are not very proud about it , then it is a .
Spain’s Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun has accused Eurovision organisers of using culture to “whitewash” the war in Gaza . What is Whitewashing?
Pinkwashing – Purplewashing – Bluewashing – Sportswashing–Greenwashing
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