VIENNA, Austria – Eurovision fever hit Vienna on Sunday with events planned for thousands of fans ahead of the song contest’s grand final on 16 May, with the build-up once again facing calls for a boycott over Israel’s participation.

The Austrian capital is pulling out all the stops to host the 70th edition of the world’s most-watched song contest, with many side events scheduled in the run-up.

On Sunday afternoon, it will roll out the carpet – which at Eurovision is not red but turquoise – to welcome a parade of the 35 delegations from participating countries, as part of a colourful opening ceremony set to begin at 12:00 GMT (14:00 SAST).

On the agenda: the best – and worst – from seven decades of the music competition on a giant screen in front of the neo-Gothic City Hall, in a square turned into a secured area reserved for fans.

Today, the contest reaches more than 170 million people on television and online around the world, and its content generates billions of views across digital platforms.

Finland is the heavy favourite this year, hoping to hit the jackpot with an entry pairing brooding singer Pete Parkkonen with radiant violinist Linda Lampenius.

Instruments are usually pre-recorded but organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have made an exception to allow Lampenius to play live, according to the Nordic country’s media.

Hundreds of police

Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia have decided to snub this year’s edition in protest at Israel’s participation.

They have criticised Israel over its bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for the 7 October 2023 attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

More than 1 000 artists or groups have also called for a boycott, including Peter Gabriel and Massive Attack.

Pro-Palestinian as well as pro-Israeli demonstrations are planned in Vienna with tight security helmed by several hundred police officers on duty every day until Saturday’s finale.

Germany, France, Italy and Britain, which contribute the largest financial share, are guaranteed a place in the final.

Austria will also be on stage because local artist JJ won the previous edition. But this year, its contestant, Cosmo, is not expected to trouble the leaderboard.