Eurovision is “not the arena to solve a Middle East conflict” say the organizers, valiantly trying to stave off criticism about Israel’s inclusion after its invasion of Gaza, when Russia was banned after the Ukraine incursion. Their banner “United by music” is unlikely to make an impact against a backdrop of heightened terror alerts across Europe, the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s ire about Sweden joining Nato, Eurovision 2024 looks to be the most politically contentious ever. What is worse, the location in Malmo, an international city with a young and diverse population (around a third born outside Sweden) with a strong Palestinian community is likely to throw up its own problems.
Activism and terrorism are the twin threats for locals and the 100,000 visitors, who will be entertained not just at Eurovision but in club nights and drag shows across multiple venues.
The competition kicks off at 9pm on 7 May 2024 just before the Taurus New Moon; with a divisive Uranus in the 7th house of neighbourly relations and Mars in pro-active, assertive Aries in the performing 5th house. Plus a downbeat Saturn in the 4th as well as Neptune hinting at an uncertain mood on the home territory.
With eerie syncronicity the final on 11 May occurs just as tr Uranus moves to 23 degrees Taurus to conjunct the Israel 8th house Sun.
The Sweden 6 June 1523 JC 11.30am Stockholm chart, has tr Saturn almost opposition an aggravated Mars over the song contest and just after as well as square the Midheaven (start time being accurate). Plus a handful of tough Pluto transits to midpoints but nothing too dramatic.
The Sweden 7 December 1856 3.30 pm chart is on its Nodal Half Return with the SA Pluto catching this month’s Solar Eclipse and tr Uranus connecting with the 23 Taurus SA Sun.
Relationship charts between both Sweden charts and Russia and Israel hint at some disruptions in May but more across the July/August period and beyond.
Sweden does not have its problems to seek even without a fractious Eurovision. An open-door migration policy in the past with no accompanying policy to help the newcomers integrate has led to the emergence of neighborhoods with all residents immigrants, unemployment rates are high and where the children are often not proficient in Swedish. ‘This has served as an incubator for crime, as gangs take over where society fails.’ ‘Present-day Sweden carries the dubious distinction of having the highest rate of gangland killings in Europe. It boasts the lowest average age of serious offenders, with children in their low teens being arrested for murder.’
Foreign-born citizens now account for 20 percent of the nation’s population. If this includes those born in Sweden with two foreign-born parents, the number rises to 26 percent.
Among residents aged 25-34 years, one-third presently has a foreign background, and among those aged 35-44 years, it is 38 percent.