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Sweden’s Eurovision trials cancel live tour amid rising Covid numbers

Swedish television's flagship programme, Melodifestivalen, will not tour the country in 2022.

Published: 14 January 2022 16:09 CET

Sweden's Eurovision trials cancel live tour amid rising Covid numbers

Melodifestivalen in pre-pandemic times. Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

In a statement, Swedish public broadcaster SVT commented that the high spread of infection currently meant it “would not be defensible to travel the country with a large team”.

The TV spectacle was set to fill arenas in Gothenburg, Malmö, Linköping, Lidköping and Örnsköldsvik en route to the final in Friends Arena.

Instead the show will stay in Stockholm for its six-week duration, as 28 artists compete to represent Sweden in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.

The venue in Stockholm is yet to be confirmed, with SVT looking at solutions that may allow a small audience. Under current regulations a maximum capacity of 500 people would apply.

“The situation is how it is just now and we will do our best with the situation,” said Hanna Stjärne, CEO of SVT. “Melodifestivalen is a party for all of Sweden and we will do all we can to create an exciting TV show that spreads warmth and happiness when it is most needed.”

The first heat of Melodifestivalen’s six weeks of programming will be broadcast on SVT 1 at 8pm on Saturday, February 5th.

In the weeks after Christmas, Sweden has seen record-high numbers of new Covid infections, with more than 25,000 daily cases confirmed on both Wednesday and Thursday this week. This prompted authorities to roll out a series of new restrictions and recommendations this week, including early closings for bars and restaurants, capping public events to 500 people, and urging adults to limit their close contacts.

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Eight unmissable free events in Malmö during Eurovision

First off, the city’s main park, Folkets Park, will host the Eurovision Village, which will have a packed schedule of events during Eurovision week. Friisgatan, which runs along the route to Folkets Park from Triangeln train station, will also turn into Eurovision Street, where guests will be able to get into the Eurovision spirit.

All of the events in this article are free.

Art Workshop with Bästa Biennalen

One of the events during the week is an art workshop in Eurovision Village in collaboration with Bästa Biennalen, an art network made up of a whopping 90 venues in southern Sweden. This is a great activity for children and young people, where they will be able to transform and repurpose recycled materials into art pieces.

Where: Eurovision Village in Folkets Park

When: May 4th from 2pm to 7pm, May 5th from 3pm to 7pm

More information available here.

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Circus with Cirkus Syd

Cirkus Syd, an international non-profit who offer circus training in Skåne, will perform for three days in the Eurovision Village, offering people of all ages the opportunity to try out juggling, acrobatics and other circus related activities.

Where: Eurovision Village in Folkets Park

When: May 4th from 2pm to 7pm, May 6th from 4pm-7pm.

More information available here.

Roller Disco

If you want to try dancing with a twist, then this is your chance. The Eurovision-themed roller disco offers the chance to dance with rollerblades on the Dancing Queen stage in the Eurovision Village, better known to locals as the Brändan dance hall.

You can borrow skates (European sizes 36-46 available), helmets and wrist guards for an hour, but be aware that the equipment is limited.

If you choose to bring your own skates (roller or inline both permitted), you’ll need to wear them when you pass security on your way into the park.

Where: Dancing Queen Stage, Eurovision Village (Brändan, Folkets Park)

When: May 4th-11th 4pm-10pm

Over The Water Show Choir

All the way from last year’s host city Liverpool, where they performed during Eurovision 2023, Over The Water Show Choir will be coming to Malmö this year to share their repertoire of Eurovision songs with Sweden (apparently last year’s winner Loreen is a fan!)

Where: Multiple locations

When: May 10th. Malmö C at noon and Dag Hammarskjölds torg at 1pm, before doing a full set at the Euphoria Stage at Eurovision Village from 3pm.

Dance Workshop with Choreographer Nick Hvidfelt

Fancy learning how to dance like a Eurovision performer? Danish choreographer Nick Hvidfelt will be teaching two dances at the Eurovision Village next week.

The first dance on May 9th will be to Greece’s 2004 Eurovision Song My Number One by Helena Paparizou, while the second will be to Spain’s 2022 Eurovision song SloMo by Chanel.

Where: Tattoo Stage, Eurovision Village

When: May 9th 4-5pm, May 10th 2-3pm

Eurovision Village Drag Night

Performing on the Euphoria Stage, four drag queens will headline the event. First up is Skåne’s own Elecktra, who those of us living in Sweden may recognise from this year’s Melodifestivalen, where she performed Banne maj, as well as Drag Race Sverige.

She will be joined by French drag queen Nicky Doll – the host of Drag Race France, who also appeared on season 12 of RuPaul’s Drag Race – as well as Danish drag queen DQ, who performed in Eurovision 2007 with her song Drama Queen, and Swedish Miss Tobi, winner of Drag Factor Sweden vs Finland in 2022, the same year she celebrated 20 years on stage.

Where: Euphoria Stage, Eurovision Village

When: May 10th from 9-9.45pm

MALMÖ NIGHTLIFE:

Abba Music on Fire

Malmö’s own fire brigade orchestra will perform some of Abba’s songs in honour of the band’s 50th anniversary since winning Eurovision. Expect to hear classics like Waterloo, Take a Chance On Me, Dancing Queen and Thank You for the Music.

Where: Multiple locations

When: May 11th, Malmö C 4:30-4:50pm, Dag Hammarskjölds torg 5.30-5.50pm

The Eurovision final on the big screen

Perhaps the most important event for tourists in Malmö for the contest, the Eurovision final will be broadcast live to two stages in Folkets Park – the Euphoria Stage and the Tattoo Stage.

People from over 80 different countries are expected to visit Malmö for Eurovision, so this is a perfect opportunity to feel the Eurovision fever with fans from all over the world.

Where: Euphoria Stage and the Tattoo Stage in the Eurovision Village.

When: May 11th, 9pm. Expected to end around 1am on May 12th

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Be aware that there will be extra security measures in place in Folkets Park during the week, with visitors subject to checks when entering the park. The usual entrance on Amiralsgatan will be exit only, with guests able to enter the park via Norra Parkgatan and Falsterbogatan.

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There will also be a bag ban in place for all events, with the exception of bags used to carry medical equipment, changing bags for those with children, and journalists who can show a valid press card. These will need to be checked before entry.

Buggies and prams will also be allowed.

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