As Israel welcomes the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, host Simon Spungin and Haaretz culture correspondent Avi Pitchon meet with ambassadors from two of the 41 countries taking part in the competition: Ambassador Thessalia Salina Shambos of Cyprus and Ambassador Magnus Hellgren of Sweden.

We discuss the unifying character of Eurovision, the unique challenges of hosting the event in Tel Aviv, whether protests during the competition are legitimate – and much more.

 

As Israel welcomes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/eurovision">2019 Eurovision Song Contest</a>, host&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.4968283">Simon Spungin </a>and Haaretz culture correspondent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/misc/writers/WRITER-1.5601968">Avi Pitchon</a>&nbsp;meet with ambassadors from two of the 41 countries taking part in the competition:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CyembassyIsrael/">Ambassador Thessalia Salina Shambos</a>&nbsp;of Cyprus and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwedenInIsrael/">Ambassador Magnus Hellgren</a>&nbsp;of Sweden.
We discuss the unifying character of Eurovision, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/eurovision/.premium-eurovision-ticket-sales-low-less-tourists-arrive-as-gaza-flare-up-continues-1.7206592">unique challenges of hosting the event in Tel Aviv</a>, whether&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/eurovision/stephen-fry-sharon-osbourne-among-100-artists-calling-to-reject-eurovision-boycott-1.7185227">protests during the competition</a>&nbsp;are legitimate &ndash; and much more.
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From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – a weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.

Your audio guide to Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World.

Haaretz Podcast

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer. 

From Haaretz – Israel's oldest daily newspaper – the Haaretz weekly podcast in English on Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World, hosted by Allison Kaplan Sommer.