🇫🇮 Road to Malmö: Finland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Finland.

Windows95man

Teemu Keisteri, born in 1985 in Espoo, Finland, has emerged as a prominent figure in the visual arts scene, celebrated for his creation of the Ukkeli character in 2008. This iconic figure, a testament to Keisteri’s whimsical and culturally insightful style, adorns apparel, postcards, and tableware, capturing the essence of Finnish life with humor and personality. Known also as the Windows 95 man during his DJ performances, Keisteri’s diverse talents span across visual and video arts. Educated in photography at the Lahti Institute of Design, he discovered his passion lay with visual arts, leading him to establish Kalleria in Helsinki’s vibrant Kallio area, further solidifying his status as a dynamic artist and DJ.

Henri Piispanen

Henri Piispanen, born in 1994, is a multifaceted Finnish talent, acclaimed as a voice actor, singer, and presenter. Noteworthy for voicing characters in “PAW Patrol,” “Lego Ninjago,” and more, Piispanen’s diverse skills shine through his roles and as the lead vocalist and bassist for Pasa. His collaboration with Teemu Keisteri as Windows95man won the 2024 UMK, highlighting his dynamic presence in Finnish entertainment.

Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK)

In the past, the national final for Finland was called Euroviisut. Since 2012, we have Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK). The last few years, it’s a contest with 7 contestants. The winner is chosen by jury and televote. This year, Sara Siipola was the hot favourite to win the contest. She won the jury vote with a landslide. However, televote overruled them; windows95man gained 32,35% of the televote.

Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest

The first ever Finnish contestant for the Eurovision Song Contest was Laila Kinunen, back in 1961. A long road with bad scores and even 3 zeros followed; in 2006 the monsters of Lordi broke the spell and brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Helsinki with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. Käärijä almost did it again last year. With his “Cha cha cha” he won the televote and became 2nd overall.

The Bookmakers

Finland is currently no. 14 in the betting odds to win the contest. Looks like it is likely that Finland will reach the final; it is also likely that a score like last year is a bridge too far for the country of the thousand lakes.

And this is the song:

 

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It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. Lithuania has officially confirmed its participation for 2026. Bosnia & Herzegovina sadly announced it will not return. Belgium’s Eurovision plans remain uncertain despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is inching closer to a possible debut. Austrian media are buzzing with the first host rumors, and ORF has entered negotiations with Vienna and Innsbruck to decide the 2026 host city. 🇱🇹 🇧🇦 Lithuania In, Bosnia-Herzegovina Out of Eurovision 2026 Lithuania’s broadcaster LRT has confirmed that the country will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The confirmation was given to ESC Today. Details on how Lithuania will select its entry are yet to be announced, but a national final is expected as in previous years. đź“· EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett In contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina will not be participating in Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster BHRT officially stated it cannot return next year. That is due to ongoing EBU sanctions stemming from unpaid debts. The Bosnian delegation explained that without resolving the funding issues and outstanding debts – and securing a sponsor – a Eurovision comeback isn’t feasible. Bosnia & Herzegovina last took part in 2016 and has been absent from the contest ever since. 🇧🇪 Belgium’s 2026 Participation Remains Uncertain Contrary to reports last week, Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 participation is not yet fully confirmed. French-language broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium’s 2026 entry) clarified the station has not officially committed to the contest yet. RTBF cited ongoing discussions within the EBU and among its member broadcasters. That’s why they are proceeding with preparations without a formal confirmation of participation for now. In short, Belgium is lining up a potential act for Eurovision 2026, but RTBF is keeping its options open until certain international discussions are resolved. 🇰🇿 EBU to Discuss Kazakhstan’s Possible Debut Kazakhstan’s Eurovision dreams are gaining traction. During the recent EBU General Assembly in London, the chairman of Kazakhstan’s broadcaster (Khabar Agency) met with EBU officials to propose the country’s debut in 2026. According to Kemelbek Oishybayev (Khabar’s director), EBU chief Noel Curran reacted positively and agreed to have Kazakhstan’s participation proposal discussed at the next EBU meeting. If the EBU extends an invitation, 2026 could mark Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kazakhstan has participated in Junior Eurovision in the past, but because Khabar is not a full EBU member, a special invitation is required for the main contest. So far, Australia is the only country to receive such an invitation. A final decision on Kazakhstan’s Eurovision 2026 fate is expected in the coming months. 🇦🇹 Host Rumors: ORF Eyes Swarovski and Knoll for 2026 With Austria preparing to host Eurovision 2026, speculation has started about who will present the shows. One name on everyone’s lips is Andi Knoll. He is Austria’s veteran Eurovision commentator. According to Kleine Zeitung, Knoll is considered a likely choice – essentially a “fixed” host for 2026. Knoll has been the Austrian commentator since 1999. So seeing him step on the Eurovision stage next year would be a fitting full-circle moment. đź“· Johan Morgenbesser, Wikimedia Commons Another high-profile name emerging is Victoria Swarovski. ORF is reportedly interested in the TV presenter as a potential Eurovision host. Victoria is known for hosting Germany’s “Let’s Dance”. Austrian media reveal that ORF insiders are “flirting” with the idea of featuring the Tyrolean-born Swarovski in the hosting lineup. However, there could be scheduling conflicts with her RTL commitments, which might depend on RTL’s involvement in Eurovision next year. đź“· Superbass, Wikimedia Commons Swarovski isn’t the only woman in the mix. Several ORF news anchors – such as Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter – are also rumored as possibilities for the hosting team. Fans have even speculated about bringing back the trio of female hosts from Vienna 2015: Arabella Kiesbauer, Mirjam Weichselbraun, and Alice Tumler. In fact, Kiesbauer has already stated she’d be ready to return if asked, saying “if I’m needed, I’ll be there”. ORF has yet to make any official announcements, so the host selection remains an exciting guessing game for now. Also Conchita Wurst is rumoured as a host. She did the job in the green room in 2015. Vienna and Innsbruck in Final Host City Talks Vienna and Innsbruck have emerged as the final two cities vying to host Eurovision 2026. Both cities submitted their official bid proposals by the July 4 deadline and impressed the broadcaster with their plans. ORF conducted initial site visits at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna and the Olympiaworld arena in Innsbruck, the venues proposed in the bids. Following those inspections, ORF invited both cities to enter detailed negotiations, calling the two proposals “very exciting and promising”. ORF’s Director General Roland WeiĂźmann praised Vienna and Innsbruck for their strong enthusiasm and suitable conditions to host the contest. The Stadthalle (which can hold up to ~16,000 attendees and previously hosted Eurovision in 2015) and Innsbruck’s Olympiaworld (around 12,000 capacity) both meet the key requirements. Over the coming weeks, ORF will be in deep discussions with each city’s team to scrutinize all logistical and financial details. The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city is expected by the second half of August – so we’ll soon find out whether the honor goes to the capital Vienna or the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week. The road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

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Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. Lithuania has officially confirmed its participation for 2026. Bosnia & Herzegovina sadly announced it will not return. Belgium’s Eurovision plans remain uncertain despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is inching closer to a possible debut. Austrian media are buzzing with the first host rumors, and ORF has entered negotiations with Vienna and Innsbruck to decide the 2026 host city. 🇱🇹 🇧🇦 Lithuania In, Bosnia-Herzegovina Out of Eurovision 2026 Lithuania’s broadcaster LRT has confirmed that the country will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The confirmation was given to ESC Today. Details on how Lithuania will select its entry are yet to be announced, but a national final is expected as in previous years. đź“· EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett In contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina will not be participating in Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster BHRT officially stated it cannot return next year. That is due to ongoing EBU sanctions stemming from unpaid debts. The Bosnian delegation explained that without resolving the funding issues and outstanding debts – and securing a sponsor – a Eurovision comeback isn’t feasible. Bosnia & Herzegovina last took part in 2016 and has been absent from the contest ever since. 🇧🇪 Belgium’s 2026 Participation Remains Uncertain Contrary to reports last week, Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 participation is not yet fully confirmed. French-language broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium’s 2026 entry) clarified the station has not officially committed to the contest yet. RTBF cited ongoing discussions within the EBU and among its member broadcasters. That’s why they are proceeding with preparations without a formal confirmation of participation for now. In short, Belgium is lining up a potential act for Eurovision 2026, but RTBF is keeping its options open until certain international discussions are resolved. 🇰🇿 EBU to Discuss Kazakhstan’s Possible Debut Kazakhstan’s Eurovision dreams are gaining traction. During the recent EBU General Assembly in London, the chairman of Kazakhstan’s broadcaster (Khabar Agency) met with EBU officials to propose the country’s debut in 2026. According to Kemelbek Oishybayev (Khabar’s director), EBU chief Noel Curran reacted positively and agreed to have Kazakhstan’s participation proposal discussed at the next EBU meeting. If the EBU extends an invitation, 2026 could mark Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest. Kazakhstan has participated in Junior Eurovision in the past, but because Khabar is not a full EBU member, a special invitation is required for the main contest. So far, Australia is the only country to receive such an invitation. A final decision on Kazakhstan’s Eurovision 2026 fate is expected in the coming months. 🇦🇹 Host Rumors: ORF Eyes Swarovski and Knoll for 2026 With Austria preparing to host Eurovision 2026, speculation has started about who will present the shows. One name on everyone’s lips is Andi Knoll. He is Austria’s veteran Eurovision commentator. According to Kleine Zeitung, Knoll is considered a likely choice – essentially a “fixed” host for 2026. Knoll has been the Austrian commentator since 1999. So seeing him step on the Eurovision stage next year would be a fitting full-circle moment. đź“· Johan Morgenbesser, Wikimedia Commons Another high-profile name emerging is Victoria Swarovski. ORF is reportedly interested in the TV presenter as a potential Eurovision host. Victoria is known for hosting Germany’s “Let’s Dance”. Austrian media reveal that ORF insiders are “flirting” with the idea of featuring the Tyrolean-born Swarovski in the hosting lineup. However, there could be scheduling conflicts with her RTL commitments, which might depend on RTL’s involvement in Eurovision next year. đź“· Superbass, Wikimedia Commons Swarovski isn’t the only woman in the mix. Several ORF news anchors – such as Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter – are also rumored as possibilities for the hosting team. Fans have even speculated about bringing back the trio of female hosts from Vienna 2015: Arabella Kiesbauer, Mirjam Weichselbraun, and Alice Tumler. In fact, Kiesbauer has already stated she’d be ready to return if asked, saying “if I’m needed, I’ll be there”. ORF has yet to make any official announcements, so the host selection remains an exciting guessing game for now. Also Conchita Wurst is rumoured as a host. She did the job in the green room in 2015. Vienna and Innsbruck in Final Host City Talks Vienna and Innsbruck have emerged as the final two cities vying to host Eurovision 2026. Both cities submitted their official bid proposals by the July 4 deadline and impressed the broadcaster with their plans. ORF conducted initial site visits at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna and the Olympiaworld arena in Innsbruck, the venues proposed in the bids. Following those inspections, ORF invited both cities to enter detailed negotiations, calling the two proposals “very exciting and promising”. ORF’s Director General Roland WeiĂźmann praised Vienna and Innsbruck for their strong enthusiasm and suitable conditions to host the contest. The Stadthalle (which can hold up to ~16,000 attendees and previously hosted Eurovision in 2015) and Innsbruck’s Olympiaworld (around 12,000 capacity) both meet the key requirements. Over the coming weeks, ORF will be in deep discussions with each city’s team to scrutinize all logistical and financial details. The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city is expected by the second half of August – so we’ll soon find out whether the honor goes to the capital Vienna or the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week. The road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

Share
Read More »