Introduction

• Participant(s): Eden Alene
• Song: Set Me Free
  
• Writer(s): Amit Mordechay, Ido Netzer, Noam Zlatin, Ron Carmi
• Composer(s): Amit Mordechay, Ido Netzer, Noam Zlatin, Ron Carmi
• Broadcaster: IPBC/KAN
  
• Social media:       
  
• Team review: 

The last Eurovision Song Contest from Tel Aviv is two years ago! Last year the entire ESC of Rotterdam had to be cancelled, because of the corona pandemic. The Israeli singer from last year was allowed to sing this year as well: Eden Alene. In the casting show “HaKokhav HaBa” (The next star), Eden Alene could convince and so she became the representative for Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year she is going to present the new song “Set Me Free”.

Eden Alene was born in Jerusalem in 2000. She is the daughter of Jewish-Ethiopian immigrants and grew up in Jerusalem, where Eden Alene went to a religious school and took lessons in ballet. In her high school time she joined a choir which consist of Arabian and Jewish children to support friendship without borders. Eden Alene started a career in the music business. In 2017 she won the X Factor show in Israel and in 2019 she took part in the “HaKokhav HaBa”, where she received the ticket to Rotterdam. She is also working on her first album, which should be released soon.

The new song “Set Me Free” is about leaving a beloved one, which is not easy.

Feeling like in prison
Looking for the reason
I don't wanna say goodbye
Feels like no tomorrow
Everywhere that I go

Compared to “Feker Libi”, her song from 2020 it has no African rhythm elements anymore, therefore the melody dominates with a great hook. There has been produced a second video clip with a revamped version, which is even more appealing. Eden’s extraordinary look combined with cool dancing and a memorable chorus can end up very high.

History

• Debut: 1973
• Participations: 43
• Victories: 4
• Finals: 36 (10 since 2004)
• Top 10: 20
• Chances for Top 10: 45%
• Chances for Final: 59%

In 2019 Israel hosted the Eurovision Song Contest for the fourth time in history. This victory made Israel to an even stronger contender in this competition. Tel Aviv has been the host city for the first time and made a brilliant impression of the country and the Israeli broadcaster KAN produced a great an unforgettable show, despite of many hurdles.

Israel joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The debut entry “Ey-Sham” by Ilanit made a very good 4th place in Luxembourg. Since then, the Israeli entries brought a new energy in the contest full of good music, dance and joy. In the ESC history of Israel there were many strong, outstanding and unforgettable songs. Israel is also popular for great choreographies, especially in the 80’s and 90’s the traditional formation dance was strongly used in the Israeli contributions and has been mimicked from other countries later, but not as successfully. The traditional “Hora” dance has become a new dimension, when this was the name of the 1982 entry “Hora” sung by Avi Toledano (2nd place).

The first victory could make Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta with “Abanibi” in Paris 1978. One year later, when Israel hosted the ESC for the first time, Israel was able to win in its own country with “Hallelujah” by Gali Atari & Milk & Honey. The year after, Israel paused and the Netherlands jumped in as a host country.

The extraordinary victory of the Dana International was legendary, when she sang her anthem “Diva” in Birmingham 1998, she was the first transgender to win the ESC. And another 20 years later, Netta could follow this 20 years victory interval with “Toy” and brought the ESC back to Israel.
Due to the introduction of the Semi Finals in 2004, Israel is not always among the finalists, out of 17 times, Israel could only qualify ten times.
The ESC is enjoying a great interest and popularity in Israel and has huge viewing figures every year.

Biggest successes

• 4x 1st place
  “Abanibi” | Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta (Paris 1978)
  “Hallelujah” |Milk and Honey (Jerusalem 1979)
  “Diva” |Dana International (Birmingham 1998)
  “Toy” |Netta (Lisbon 2018)
• 2x 2nd place
  “Hora” |Avi Toledano (Harrogate 1982)
  “Hi” |Ofra Haza (Munich 1983)
• 1x 3rd place
  “Kan” |Duo Datz (Rome 1991)

Video Nostalgia

• “Natati La Khaiai” | Poogy
  Rank 7, Brighton 1974
• “Hora” | Avi Toledano
  Rank 2, Harrogate 1982
• “Shara Barechovot” | Rita
  Rank 18, Zagreb 1990