This year too, the Eurovision Song Contest produced its typical mix of political controversy and kitsch. After collecting signatures for the exclusion of Israel and those for its confirmation in the cast of the event, Bambie Thug, the stage name of Bambie Ray Robinson, a non-binary singer who represents Ireland with Doomsday Bluewho passed the first semi-final yesterday.
During a press conference at the ESC, Robinson explained that the stage makeup shown during the dress rehearsal included the writing in Ogamic alphabet “ceasefire and freedom”, a reference to Gaza which was removed by the organizers. “It was important to me, who is in favor of justice and peace.”
A spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) explained that “the writing seen on Bambie Thug's body during the dress rehearsal contravenes the rules of the competition which are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event”, a nature betrayed according to the organizers by Swedish competitor Eric Saade. Son of a Lebanese Palestinian, he sang last night with a keffiyeh on his wrist.
Bambie Thug calls what he does ouija pop, after the board used to communicate with the spirit world. Her piece is a collage of various styles, from industrial to retro pop, with lyrics about a love consummated between deception and disillusionment, and a staging on the Malmö stage full of satanic symbols and a dance with a demon.
Hermann Kelly, leader of the Irish Freedom Party, a far-right Eurosceptic Irish political formation, defined the piece as “woke nonsense typical of the Irish establishment” which “celebrates Satanism”. A failed signature drive attempted to have the song disqualified from Eurovision because it made fun of Irish culture.
“Why is Ireland represented at Eurovision by someone holding a “trans” flag who supports genital mutilation and permanent sterilization of children?”, Kelly tweeted today, posting a photo from last night with Bambie Thug and the transgender flag. “Ireland can do better than this grotesque bizarreness. People suffering from the mental illness of gender dysphoria need psychological help, not physical castration.”
Why is the Irish entry to #Eurovision holding a “Trans” flag advocating the sexual mutilation & lifelong sterilization of children? Ireland can do better than grotesque weirdos. People with the mental illness of gender dysphoria need psychological help, not physical castration pic.twitter.com/OiVSzKZEuP
— Hermann Kelly (@hermannkelly) May 8, 2024