Eurovision final kicks off amid pro-Palestinian protests outside, chaos backstage
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feel-good musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
![Eurovision final kicks off amid pro-Palestinian protests outside, chaos backstage](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7201780.1715456753!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/topshot-sweden-eu-music-awards-contest-eurovision.jpg)
![TOPSHOT - Pro-Palestinian protesters opposing Israel's participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) demonstrate in Malmo, Sweden, on May 11, 2024. This year's ESC competition has faced calls for Israel to be excluded over the war in Gaza, which the organisers refused. Thousands of people are expected to attend pro-Palestinian rallies throughout the week in Malmo. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP) (Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images) Protesters gather while holding up a banner that reads, 'Welcome to genocide song contest.'](https://i.cbc.ca/1.7201780.1715456753!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/topshot-sweden-eu-music-awards-contest-eurovision.jpg)
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feel-good musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.