If there is something that makes us feel nostalgic, it is the Eurovision song festival 2019. It is definitely one of the most important musical events of the year in which emerging singers confront each other in a musical battle for the glory of their country.

As Netta was the winner in 2018, this year the gala will take place in Tel Aviv, Israel. This is one of the most modern and vibrant cities in the world and also it has a Mediterranean beach to chill.

Whether you are preparing your trip to Tel Aviv to live it in person or you just want to follow the festival, we will tell you about both things. Here we include the Eurovision 2019 dates, the locations and the events. In addition, we will tell you what to do in Tel Aviv. And also how to enjoy the festival if you are lucky enough to attend. This edition will be also special because Madonna will attend to Eurovision as a guest to sing a couple of songs.

Presumably, there will be large crowds in a city that is already touristy. Therefore, we recommend you to use Wave Let’s Meet. It is a free app where you can share your location in real time with your friends and make sure you do not get lost.

In addition, the app comes with a GPS navigator and a direct access to Uber. The app has a chat in which to share images, messages and voice notes, a plus to organize your group trip to Eurovision 2019. It is available for iOS and Android.

WHEN IS EUROVISION 2019?

On May 14 the festival begins and ends on May 18.
The first semi-final will be on May 14 at 22:00 IDT.
The second semi-final will be on 16 May 2019 at 22:00 IDT.
The final will be on May 18 at 9:00 p.m. IDT.

WHO WILL SING IN THE SEMI FINAL OF EUROVISION?

Cyprus – Tamta with Replay
Montenegro – D mol with Heaven
Finland – Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman with Look Away
Poland – Tulia with Fire of Love (Pali się)
Slovenia – Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl with Sebi
Czech Republic – Lake Malawi with Friend Of A Friend
Hungary – Joci Pápa with Az Én Apám
Belarus – ZENA with Like It
Serbia – Nevene Božović with Kruna
Belgium – Eliot with Wake Up
Georgia – Oto Nemsadze with Keep On Going
Australia – Kate Miller-Heidke with Zero Gravity
Iceland – Hatari with Hatrið mun sigra
Estonia – Victor Crone with Storm
Portugal – Conan Osiris with Telemóveis
Greece – Katerine Duska with Better Love
San Marino – Serhat with Say Na Na Na

HISTORY OF EUROVISION

How has an international song festival like Eurovision become one of the events of the year? Let’s briefly review its story.

After the fateful Second World War the European powers worked together for peace. It was then thought that a television festival would be the best of the ambassadors of this new united Europe. For this reason, a television network was created whose main task would be to organize the festival.

In the beginning, the ‘Big Five’ along with the countries in western Europe participated. The big Five are Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. As the years have passed the number of participants has risen to 41.

HOW DOES EUROVISION WORK?

The festival is summarized in two major events, the semi final, splitted in two days, and the final. Only the countries that have gone through a first filter, in addition to the Big Five and the host country, arrive at the semi final. In the final the 35 winners face each other in a musical battle in which the jury of all Europe and the judges vote.

In this edition of Eurovision 2019, the score of each artist in ascending order will be made public for the first time, until finishing with the winner.

The winner is then announced and rewarded with a crystal microphone. Also, with a promise of success in his or her artistic career. Usually, his/her country is the host country for the event the following year.

HOW TO ACQUIRE THE TICKETS FOR EUROVISION 2019?

Buying tickets for the venue is a difficult task, especially for attending the final. The first round of tickets are sold, though.

In the upcoming months the organization will sell the rest of them. Everything is on the free Eurovision app. that is available for free for iOS and Android.

WHERE TO ENJOY EUROVISION IN TEL AVIV?

Eurovision 2019 will be officially held at the Tel Aviv Convention Center Arena.

However, throughout the city we can enjoy screens, events and music as in the Eurovision villa, in the Charles Clore park. The introduction of the artists will be in the Habima square. For the biggest fans, the Euroclub and Euro Fan Cafe clubs will offer special related events.

WHAT TO DO IN TEL AVIV DURING OUR TRIP TO EUROVISION 2019?

Tel Aviv is one of the most avant-garde and eclectic cities in Asia, with influences from Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a modernist and vibrant atmosphere, even hipster in many neighborhoods such as Neve Tzedek. There it is common to get lost among cafes, pubs, art galleries and cozy bookstores.

Once we walk and chill a bit, we can enjoy an exciting nightlife with travelers from all countries to celebrate our arrival to Eurovision.

During the day, it is necessary to visit the White City, a set of streets with light colored buildings and architecture of the Bauhaus. That is a German architectural school that the Jews who resided in the country before the world war brought to their new home in Israel.

As a particularity, these are slightly different from their brothers in Europe. They have more terraces and fewer windows to adapt to the tremendous heat of Israel. We can go to the neighborhood from Allenby Street or from Gvirol Street.

Continuing through the white neighborhood to the east, we will reach the Mediterranean coast, where we can take a bath to cool off after our tour. This area, which also houses the marina, is a vibrant and commercial area, full of cafes, souvenir stalls and, of course, beaches.

Another thing that we can not miss in our trip to Eurovision in Tel Aviv is a walk through the historic center, Jaffa’s Old City. There we can visit the flea market and the old alleys of the city. In addition, the Rabat square is one of the neuralgic zones of the Israeli capital.

Finally, if you are in Tel Aviv you can not miss an excursion to the ancient city of Jerusalem, you will feel in another world completely.