This evening saw the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest Host Insignia Ceremony and the Semi-final Allocation Draw take place at Tel Aviv’s Museum of Art.

The Semi-Final Allocation Draw and the Host City Insignia Handover Ceremony marked the first official Eurovision 2019 event in Tel Aviv. The Ceremony was held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, one of Israel’s leading art and culture institutions, in the presence of The Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Mr. Ron Huldai, The Deputy Mayor of Lisbon,Mr Duarte Cordeiro, The Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Mr. Jon-Ola Sand and the Director General of KAN,Mr.Eldad Koblenz.

The event opened with the handing over of the Host City insignia from last year’s hosts, Lisbon to this year’s Host City, Tel Aviv. It is a Eurovision tradition for each Host City to add an iconic insignia to the key chain, before handing over the entire collection of insignia to the next host city.

Two of the 2019 Eurovision hosts Assi Azar and Lucy Ayoub were the evening’s hosts.

After the handing over of the Host City Insignia, the Semi-Final Allocation Draw took place, determining the order of appearance in the two semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place at EXPO Tel Aviv on the 14 and 16 of May. Countries will compete for a place in the Eurovision Song Contest Finals, which will take place on Saturday 18 May.

Mr. Ron Huldai (Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo) says:

I am very excited to open the Tel Aviv Eurovision events. Several months ago Tel Aviv-Yafo was declared as the host city of Eurovision. Since that moment, hundreds of people began working. Hundreds of people from the EBU, from the Kan Broadcasting Corporation and from the Municipality; they all have one goal: to make sure that the Eurovision this year will be the best show on earth; in the coolest city on earth. The slogan of the Eurovision this year is “Dare to Dream”. This is a fantastic slogan for Tel Aviv-Yafo. Because this city belongs to dreamers who never give up.           

Mr.Duarte Cordeiro (Deputy Mayor of Lisbon) says:

I am sure that, like Netta Barzilai, Tel Aviv will also preserve and enhance the legacy of the European Song Contest and its fundamental role for multiculturalism and the celebration of the union between peoples and people. I wish the greatest success to the European Song Contest 2019 and to this magnificent city.

Mr. Gil Omer ( Chairman of KAN/IPBC) says:    

20 months ago, we were given the keys to the public broadcasting. We took that with great respect and a sense of responsibility. We have made great achievements, and now we are facing an enormous challenge. Thanks to Netta and her fantastic team, we have got the opportunity to show Israel to the world. To expose the people, the diversity, the success stories, the sites and the landscape. We are determined to make this year Eurovision contest a Daring Dream that comes true!    

  
Jon-Ola Sand (Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest/EBU) says:

The insignia ceremony is an important moment for the Eurovision Song Contest and an exciting celebration of the host city handover. It is also a key milestone for our participating broadcasters as they find out which Semi-Final they will perform in, and as the countdown continues to May, we look forward to welcoming them to Tel Aviv for Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

A total of 42 countries will participate at the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. 36 countries will compete in the semi-finals, whilst the Big 5 and the host country Israel are automatically qualified to compete in the grand final

The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest will be held on 14, 16, 18 May at the Expo Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Cover photo: Raphi Daloya