Reactions to the grand final of Eurovision 2024 just keep coming. And the response for the Portuguese broadcaster RTP comes with an official complaint to the EBU for the delay in posting iolanda’s performance from the grand final.
Portugal’s Eurovision performance uploaded after delay
Nicolau Santos, president of the Board of Directors of RTP, plans to meet with the EBU tomorrow to address the situation. Last Saturday, Portugal performed 18th in the show. All performances were promptly published on YouTube following their airing. However, Portugal’s grand final performance was not uploaded. Instead, the EBU initially uploaded her semi-final performance. Her actual grand final performance was not uploaded until an hour later, just before the last country to perform — Austria — had their performance published.
There were similar changes-of-form from the EBU on Instagram. The official Eurovision Instagram page posted a video of Portugal’s semi-final performance rather than the grand final performance. The EBU confirmed that the delay was due to the presence of ‘pro-Palestinian elements’ in the Portuguese performance.
During the Grand Final, iolanda showcased her support for Palestinian resistance through her nail art. She drew inspiration from the keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarves. At the conclusion of her performance, iolanda expressed gratitude to the audience, also adding the message: “peace will prevail”. In the flag parade, iolanda wore her Turquoise Carpet dress, a creation by the Palestinian brand Trashy Clothing.
Nicolau Santos from RTP also commented on the anti-booing system and the fake applause used by the EBU during Israel’s performance, stating:
“For an organization like the EBU, and for an organization like RTP and the European public media service whose flag is the fight against fake news, misinformation, and information manipulation, it is unacceptable that this is possible. Using this method distorts reality.”
Will Portugal return in 2025?
Santos stated that Eurovision 2024 “calls for reflection,” and that there are matters to be discussed. However, he emphasized that despite this unfortunate situation, Portugal has no intention of withdrawing from the contest in the future. This year iolanda finished in 10th place with 152 points. The juries from Croatia, France, and the United Kingdom awarded her with 12 points each. During the moment when Portugal was announcing its jury votes, Mimicat, the former representative of Portugal in Eurovision 2023, began by saying: “We want everyone to seek love and peace. Let’s not forget it. I would say this is the most important thing tonight and always in this world and in this life.”
What do you think about the delay in posting Portugal’s performance? Let us know in the comments.
