Navigating Eurovision

It's Happening! The 64^th Eurovision Song Contest is Here 

The second most watched live TV program in the world and the cultural event with the highest ratings and largest international coverage to ever take place is on NOW. Here's the proper breakdown of what to do, what to see, where to go (and how to get there) and, most importantly, where the party's at.

Tel Aviv’s major events: The EuroVillage, Euro Café, Tel Aviv Expo and the Eurovision live shows. The Eurovision Song Contest will be held for the 64th time and for the first time in Tel Aviv with the participation of 42 countries under the slogan 'Dare To Dream'. The EuroVillage will open on Sunday, May 12, and will be open to the general public until the end of the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, May 18.

The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality will provide free transportation on Shabbat during Eurovision. For those who are unfamiliar with Shabbat, the Jewish day of Sabbath, it starts the afternoon of every Friday and ends in the evening the following Saturday as a full day of observance and rest day. Fifty free shuttle busses will operate on Friday and Saturday May 17 -18 along two main routes in the city. The two shuttle lines will start at the Carmelit Terminal near the EuroVillage and end at the Tel Aviv Expo; the blue line will ride along the coast and the green line will ride through the city center. Municipal staff and volunteers will be stationed at each of the designated shuttle stops along the route to assist tourists. The information regarding the free shuttle services will be published in the city pocket guide that will be distributed to thousands of tourists during the Eurovision week and will also be available at visit-tel-aviv.com.

Tel Aviv © Shutterstock

To create a more user-friendly environment, informational signs in English have been placed on the 500 main bus stops in the city; bus station names have been translated into English, the screens inside the bus stations and on signs at the bus stations are in English and the placement of a new public transportation map that will be distributed in the tourist pocket guides during the Eurovision. Additionally, there is a 24/7 tourist information desk at the arrival hall at Ben Gurion International Airport in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Transportation and at the Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station. In addition, hundreds of volunteers are on-hand to assist tourists with information regarding any questions one may have.

The highlight of the Eurovision events in Tel Aviv will be the largest Eurovision Village in the world, overlooking the Mediterranean coastline at Charles Clore Park. The Eurovision Village will be open to the public from May 12-18 from the afternoon until the evening and will showcase performances by Israeli artists such as Static and Ben El, Stephane Legar, and former Eurovision superstars such as Dana International and Izhar Cohen. In addition, the Semi-finals and the Final will be projected on giant screens at the Eurovision Village and visitors will be able to enjoy the sea breeze while sitting at a giant bar overlooking the sea, surrounded by remarkable light compositions, created by the official lighting partner of Eurovision; OSRAM.The annual Tel Aviv Eat Festival will also be happening alongside the Eurovision Village (May 12-18) in a separate and adjacent compound. Visitors will be able to taste some of the most delicious dishes by Tel Aviv’s celebrated chefs. Participating restaurants include Manta Ray, Onza, Messa, The Blue Rooster and more.

Tel Aviv © Shutterstock

FAQs:

Where will the actual competition be happening?

The location chosen to host the glorious night is Pavilion 2 at Expo Tel Aviv (Exhibition Grounds).

What is this 'village' everyone is talking about??

The Eurovision Village is the official festival area during the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

Where will the Euro Village be set up?

The EuroVillage will be in Charles Clore Park, a sprawling, public beachfront park adjacent to Tel Aviv's Dolphinarium that runs along the coastline just before Jaffa's Port. It is set to be even larger than the one showcased in Lisbon and will host more than 10,000 people. The huge entertainment complex will include performances, stalls and bars, where the competition singers and various artists will perform during the competition and rehearsal period. The semifinals and finalists will be screened live and the entrance will be free.

What else awaits in the EuroVillage?

Performances of top Israeli artists alongside international ensembles and Eurovision stars in the past and present, an Artists' Fair, the Food Festival "Tel Aviv EAT" with the best local chefs, huge screens of the semi-finals and the final of Eurovision 2019.

Where: Charles Clore Park, Prof. Yehezkel Kauffman Street 

When: 12 May to 18 May, 17:00 - 23:00

Price: Free entry

clorefoundation.org.il

What else to expect?

In addition to the three main events (semi-finals and finals) the Tel Aviv Municipality will also be hosting an opening ceremony and red carpet event at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, as well as a ceremony for the exchange of city keys and a lottery of the semifinals at the City Hall on Bialik Street.

Will Wonder Woman be there?

Yes, the one and only Gal Gadot will be part of the Eurovision 2019 in a special segment of the final. What she will be doing is on the hush hush, but she will be there in all her gorgeous glory.