Nemo from Switzerland, who performed the song “The Code”, celebrates after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday.
Martin Meissner/AP
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Martin Meissner/AP
Switzerland’s Nemo, who performed the song “The Code”, celebrates after winning the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday.
Martin Meissner/AP
Switzerland is the champion this year European song contest. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo’s song “The Code” impressed both the judges and the public at the popular annual event held on Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.
“It was the craziest thing that ever happened to me,” the 24-year-old singer said at a press conference after the event.
“The Code” explores the artist’s non-binary identity in a dazzling mashup of opera, rap, drum and bass and electronic dance music.
Nemo is one of two non-binary singers competing at this year’s Eurovision Grand Finals, along with Ireland’s Bambie Thug.
Switzerland narrowly beat pre-competition favorites Croatia – winning 591 votes to the runners-up’s 547 – in an event that was not without controversy.
Security is tight for Israeli registrant Eden Golan. She received some boos and turned away during her performance but placed highly at the event, finishing 5th with 375 votes.
Thousands of protesters Opponents of Israel’s war in Gaza protested outside Malmö Arena in the days before the final, calling for Israel to be eliminated.
Meanwhile, Dutch contestant Joost Klein was eliminated just hours before the final began due to a complaint by a female member of the production team. Police said they are investigating.
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Switzerland took first place at the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. To date, the country has only won once again – in 1988. The number one song that year, “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi,” performed by a very young artist. -famous (and not Swiss) singer who would become one of the most successful singers of all time: Céline Dion.
