EUROVISION “WE WANT TO before the Israeli contestants travel times – in 1978 (“A-Ba-Ni-Bi” by Welcoming and MAKE A VERY to the host city for the contest. The Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta), 1979 open-minded contestants are invited and say a few (“Hallelujah” by Gali Atari & Milk Initially, four cities were IMPRESSION words, and perhaps sing the song and Honey), 1998 (“Diva” by Dana in the running to host this BIG they’ll be singing in the competi- International) and 2018, when Netta year’s Eurovision: Jerusalem, tion. “Netta (Barzilai) came last year. Barzilai stole the show with “Toy.” Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat. Fishely ON EVERYONE, This year we’ll have it with Kobi, “Netta was something special,” believes that Tel Aviv was the of course, and it will be easier to ar- says Fishely. “We knew from day right choice. “Don’t get me wrong range because he’s not traveling,” ex- one of ‘Hakochav Ha’ba’ (“The Next – I love Jerusalem. It’s a beautiful SO WE’RE REALLY plains Fishely. “Our fan club is very Star,” an interactive singing compe- city with a tremendous amount to active. We like to keep busy,” he adds tition reality TV show that selects offer. However, hosting Eurovision THINKING OUT with a grin. Israel’s Eurovision contestant),” he 20 years ago was very different from added. Netta’s odds of winning the what it is today; everything was on “Netta was something Eurovision were high even before she a much smaller scale. Now, you’re OF THE BOX, special” had a song, and when “Toy” came talking about thousands of people The first Eurovision Song out, the odds put her in first place. coming here, and they are going to THINKING ABOUT Contest was held in 1956 in Lugano, “That was my fourth time attending want to party and have fun. Tel Aviv Switzerland, and Israel made its Eurovision, and there was never such is going to show everyone how in- first Eurovision appearance in 1973, a big fuss around the Israeli singer as credible, welcoming and open-mind- THINGS THAT when the competition took place in there was with Netta,” notes Fishely. ed it is,” exclaims Fishely. “Visitors Luxembourg. Israel has since par- “Kobi (Marimi) wasn’t actually my who come here will see the very best Members of the OGAE Israel Eurovision fan club in Lisbon last year ticipated 41 times. In 1980, Israel be- favorite during ‘Hakochav Ha’ba’ this of what the city has to offer.” WERE NEVER came the only country in Eurovision year, but I’m not disappointed by the In addition to OGAE Israel’s Photo courtesy of Itzik Fishely history not to defend its title from song. It’s very beautiful, and it’s really EuroCafe, the Tel Aviv municipality DONE DURING the previous year – not only did it his type of music. I think that in the has designated beachfront Charles tzik Fishely is taking ten days emphasizes Fishely. decline to host the contest for finan- contest, he’s going to do an even bet- Clore Park as the site of this year’s off work for the 2019 Eurovision To that end, from May 12th cial reasons after winning for the ter job than he did with the studio ver- Eurovision Village (the official fan song contest and he booked his through May 18th OGAE Israel EUROVISION second year in a row, it also with- sion,” confides Fishely, adding, “You zone), with live performances, big short-term holiday apartment in is taking over HaOman 17, one drew from the 1980 contest be- know that he’s going to touch people’s screens showing the contest and Tel Aviv long ago. “What can of the biggest, hottest clubs in , EVER” cause the date conflicted with hearts in his own special way, and it’s more. EuroClub is the official party I do? I have to host,” he quips. Tel Aviv, where they will be WEEK Israel’s Memorial Day. Israel going to be amazing.” Fishely doesn’t venue for accredited contest del- Fishely, who lives in Haifa and throwing massive parties every has won the competition four know if Marimi will make it to one of egates, press and fans. Thanks to ROLLING works for an accounting firm, is night. Big-name artists from all the highest spots, but believes that he Kilim Electronics Company, the Ithe current president of OGAE over Europe are being flown in can reach the top ten. Israeli agents for the German com- Israel, which is the Israeli chapter of for each party alongside appear- Fishely has heard criticism of pany responsible for the contest’s Organisation Générale des Amateurs ances by Israeli stars. “We do ev- Marimi, but points out that the selec- microphones and amplification sys- de l'Eurovision, the largest network erything big here in Israel,” says tion process on ‘Hakochav Ha’ba’ tems, a café will be set up backstage OUT THE of Eurovision fan clubs. He and other Fishely, with a twinkle in his eye. has proven itself. “Since we start- at Expo Tel Aviv, with all proceeds members of OGAE Israel are pulling ed using this show to choose our going to Ruth Rappaport Children’s out all the stops to ensure that this Events all year long Eurovision contestant—starting with Hospital, part of the Haifa-based year’s Eurovision will be a celebra- OGAE Israel was founded in Nadav Guedj in 2015—Israel has Rambam Health Care Campus. tion that fans won’t soon forget. 1986 to serve as a home for all qualified for the finals every time. OGAE Israel wants to make During Eurovision week, the host Eurovision fans in Israel and to Fishely watched his first Eurovision things as easy as possible for visitors RED country’s local OGAE fan club tradi- share information with clubs from in 1983 with his family when he was coming from abroad for Eurovision. tionally sponsors EuroCafe – a venue different countries. It has a diverse six years old. “Eurovision was a big They plan to make instructional for all local and visiting OGAE fan membership of approximately 240 deal back then. We only had one tele- videos showing people how to use club members. Events include day- members. Annual dues are used to vision channel in Israel and everyone public transportation and taxis, and time activities such as “meet-and- cover events throughout the year, used to make a big fuss over it,” he might try to cooperate with one of CARPET greets” and parties in the evenings. including karaoke evenings, public recalls. “The reason I love the contest the local phone apps for taxis to en- The Israeli chapter of the largest Not surprisingly, Fishely is clearly ex- screenings of old Eurovision contests, so much is because of the music. I sure that people don’t get cheated. cited about what his club has in store. joint activities with other OGAE fan love music, and it’s always been a part Fishely is optimistic. “When you Eurovision fan club wants this year’s “We have our own activities, our own clubs in Europe and more. Club mem- of my life. I used to DJ, and still do look at the big picture, you have to competition in Tel Aviv to be the most plans for the contest and for the visi- bers were even invited to the home it now at Eurovision parties in Israel make everything count. We want to impressive ever – and it's making tors coming from Europe and from of Sweden’s ambassador to Israel to as well as when I go to Europe for create an overall good experience for around the world. We want to make watch the final round of the Melody the contests.” Fishely and his family the people coming here, and this is sure the contest’s devotees will have a very big impression on everyone, so Festival, Sweden’s popular televised continued the tradition of watching what drives us. We know that when an unforgettable experience we’re really thinking out of the box, Eurovision selection competition. Netta Barzilai celebrating the contest together until he started people leave Israel, they will say it thinking about things that were never The Israeli club also has an an- in Tel Aviv last year, after attending the contests in person five was the best Eurovision experience winning the Eurovision Liza Rosenberg done during Eurovision week, ever,” nual tradition of throwing a big party years ago. they’ve had in a very long time.” Motti Milrod 12 ESSENCE SPRING 2019 SPRING 2019 ESSENCE 13.