The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 crowned Nemo Mettler from Switzerland as the winner with his entry The Code. The final results, combining audience votes and jury scores, placed Switzerland at the top with 591 points. Croatian artist Marko Purisic, who performs as Baby Lasagna, finished in second place with Rim Tim Tagi Dim, earning 547 points. Ukraine earned third place with 453 points, represented by rap artist Alyona Alyona (Alena Savranenko) and singer Jerry Heil (Yana Shemaeva) with the track Teresa & Maria.
Twenty-four-year-old Nemo claimed victory with The Code, a track that blends rap, an operatic aria, and electronic textures. The song traces Nemo’s journey of self-discovery as a non-binary artist, reflecting personal identity and resilience.
Upon accepting the main prize from the stage—a glass microphone that was later replaced after it was broken—Nemo expressed hope that this competition would help defend the dignity and peace of every person around the world. His remarks emphasized the event’s aim to celebrate unity through music while acknowledging the responsibility carried by the artists who perform on its stage.
One of the evening’s strong contenders, Israeli vocalist Eden Golan, aged 20, finished fifth amid calls from some groups for a boycott of Israel in response to regional tensions.
Thousands gathered in central Malmö before the final, with reports noting the presence of Palestinian flags and demonstrations. Dissenting voices highlighted perceived double standards within the European Broadcasting Union after Russia was barred from Eurovision in 2022 following the onset of conflict in Ukraine.
Police employed pepper spray to help manage the crowd near the Malmö Arena, where the final took place. Greta Thunberg, among other activists, was briefly detained in the vicinity as part of the protests surrounding the event.
Another incident occurred on the final day when Dutch artist Joost Klein was disqualified. A complaint was filed with authorities following a semi-final incident, and media speculation suggested a dispute with the Israeli delegation. Eurovision organizers clarified that no delegations from other countries were involved; the Dutch side noted that Klein faced suspension for a threatening gesture toward a cameraman who filmed him without consent.
In Moscow, Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed Eurovision 2024 on Telegram, sharing a video that fused performances from the contest with a musical excerpt from a Russian production. Her post suggested a critical stance toward the event, contrasting it with ongoing cultural and political narratives in Western Europe, where funerals and other solemn rituals continued without disruption and without surprises according to her remarks.