‘’Eurovision is an opportunity for incredible global exposure,’’ said Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai.
TEL AVIV—The construction of the Eurovision Village at Charles Clore Park beachfront in Tel Aviv began this week, completing the flattening of the former Dolphinarium complex. on Tel Aviv’s beachside.
The Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality has been working on the demolition of the Dolphinarium building for a few months, with a long-term plan to transform this space into the continuity of the beach promenade and the park as well as the establishment of a beach-level community center for maritime sport.
The highlight of the Eurovision events in Tel Aviv will be one of the largest villages in Eurovision history, overlooking the Mediterranean coastline at Charles Clore Park.
The Eurovision Village will be open to the public from May 12-18 (the dates of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest) from the afternoon hours until the evening and will showcase performances by Israeli artists such as former Eurovision superstars Dana International and Izhar Cohen.
The First Semi-Final will take place on May 14th, the Second Semi-Final will take place on May 16th and the Final will be held on May 18th, under the direction of the four Israeli Eurovision hosts: Erez Tal, Bar Refaeli, Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub. 41 countries will participate this year in the contest which takes place in Israel following the victory of Netta Barzilai in Lisbon in 2018.
The Song Contest opening ceremony is going to be held at the Habima Square on May 12. The square, where the Habima Theater is ocated, is known for hosting many cultural events as it sits at the intersection of a few well known Tel Aviv arts institutions in center of the city.
For the first time, the final broadcast by KAN, Israel’s Braodcasting Corporation, will begin at 21:40 (Tel Aviv time) at Tel Aviv Expo Hall with a special broadcast by Yardena Arazi, 40 years after she co-hosted the first Eurovision Song Contest held in Jerusalem on March 31st, 1979.
The semi-final shows and the final show will be projected on giant screens at the Eurovision Village and visitors will be able to enjoy the sea breeze while sitting at a giant bar overlooking the sea, surrounded by light compositions, created by the official lighting partner of Eurovision, OSRAM.
The annual Tel Aviv EAT Food Festival will also be taking place alongside the Eurovision Village (12-18 May) in a separate and adjacent compound. Visitors will be able to taste some of the most delicious dishes by Tel Aviv’s celebrated chefs. Participating restaurants include Manta Ray, Onza, Messa, The Blue Rooster and many others.
‘’Eurovision is an opportunity for incredible global exposure,’’ said Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai.
He added, ‘’In one month, Tel Aviv will welcome thousands of tourists , will host one-thousand and five hundred journalists and will be seen by tens of millions of viewers. Netta, in her recent song, talked about two moods: BASSA and SABABA: a bad mood and a good mood. Unlike the song, Tel Aviv has only one mood. We promise, that whomever comes to