Geneva, Switzerland – April 29, 2025
By Greek City Times Staff
The Eurovision Song Contest has introduced a new policy banning LGBT+ and non-national flags, such as those representing Palestine or Ukraine, from all official venues except in audience sectors. According to PinkNews, the restriction aims to keep the focus on the artists and their performances, aligning Eurovision’s approach with that of major sporting events.
Under the new rules, participants can display only one national flag, provided by the Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR, corresponding to the performer’s citizenship. The policy applies to all official Eurovision venues, though audience areas remain exempt, allowing any flags that comply with Swiss law. Organizers have warned that attempts to bypass the restriction could lead to unspecified “consequences.”
A Eurovision spokesperson explained the decision to PinkNews: “Together, we wanted to find a balance to ensure that our venues are first and foremost dedicated to celebrating the artists and the songs. We are therefore introducing a flag policy to the event and the venues, which is the same as for other major sporting events.”
The move has sparked debate, with some praising the effort to maintain neutrality while others criticize it as limiting expressions of identity and solidarity. As Eurovision prepares for its upcoming edition, the flag policy underscores the organizers’ intent to streamline the event’s focus amid diverse global and cultural dynamics.
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