The city of Ashdod in Israel is celebrating this year its 50th anniversary. One of the occasions during the municipality's celebrations will be a Eurovision-themed talent show named Viva Eurovision, scheduled for next month.

Auditions are already underway in the city of Ashdod, in order to select the 15 contestants, who will compete in the Viva Eurovision talent show, on April 26th. The 15 songs of the show will only be entries from past Eurovision Song Contests. Nathan Stolero, a Eurovision fan and a member of the production team, is convinced this tradition will be kept in the years to follow: "I am happy that our love for Eurovision is being honored by such a respectable and official institute, like the municipality of Ashdod. It will promote artists in the spirit of the contest will love so much", he says.

A jury panel will select the winner, and will be lead by Yizhar Cohen (pictured). Cohen won the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest for Israel with Abanibi, and reached the 5th place in 1985 contest with Ole Ole. "I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful project. The fact that this event takes places especially in Ashdod is making me very happy. As someone who has been in the Eurovision song contest twice, and even won it, this matter is very close to my heart", says Yizhar Cohen. Other members of the jury are Tal Sondak (Israel 2001) and the lyricist Hamutal Ben-Ze'ev (who wrote the lyrics for Israel in 1985 and 1995).

Performers who wish to take part in the auditions may contact Nathan Stolero at [email protected].