Irish entry EMMY ready for lift-off with Laika Party

Thirty years ago Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry helped win the Eurovision Song Contest for Norway – could an astro-dog themed favour be returned this year?

Enter EMMY, who will be flying the Irish tricolour in Basel, Switzerland, next week.

But how does a 24-year-old Norwegian singer, who had never been to Ireland, end up representing one of Eurovision’s most decorated nations?

As it turns out, quite easily – after a chance encounter at a songwriting camp in her native Scandinavia, where she met Irish songwriter Larissa Tormey.

The pair collaborated on the song Laika Party – inspired by the stray Soviet dog who was sent on a doomed space mission in 1957.

The dog, described as a female Russian breed, became the first living creature to orbit the Earth when she was launched aboard the space satellite Sputnik II.

She died after 10 hours due to overheating and stress, but EMMY and her co-writers have imagined a different outcome in their bizarre, upbeat ode to Laika.

So far, so Eurovision.

“I’ve heard her story since I was a little kid, but it came to me again as an adult and I thought about how extremely sad her story really is. I wanted to create a scenario where she gets to be happy and alive instead,” EMMY said.

After initially being rejected from the Norwegian Eurovision selection process, Laika Party was given a second chance when it was announced as an entry for Ireland’s Eurosong.

“[Larissa] said she thought this song would fit Ireland, because of their love for animals… we decided to submit it and I’m so glad we did,” she explained.

Evidently, they were right – the song succeeded over the likes of Irish pop royalty Samantha Mumba, who was left unimpressed by the selection process, and will make its Eurovision debut at the second semi-final on 15 May.

“Eurosong was actually my first time in Ireland,” EMMY said.

“We had about a week to become as Irish as we could!

“I’m so grateful that Ireland actually chose us, you know, it’s just an amazing journey and we have done these pre-parties around Europe and it’s so amazing to see the audience sing along, that means a lot.”

However, speaking to BBC News NI ahead of the competition, EMMY acknowledged some of the controversies swirling this year’s event.

Last year, 2024 winner Nemo criticised organisers for not doing enough to support contestants amid tensions over Israel’s participation.

Likewise Ireland’s Bambie Thug – who secured sixth place, the country’s best result since 2000 – protested Israel’s involvement, due to the humanitarian cost of the country’s war on Hamas.

About 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which triggered the war.

At least 52,600 people have been killed in Gaza during the war, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Against this backdrop, tensions emerged backstage during last year’s Eurovision in Malmö, Sweden.

Bambie Thug accused Israel’s national broadcaster, Kan, of inciting violence against them while other participants accused the Israeli delegation of filming them and posting clips online without their permission.

Kan, meanwhile, said the Israeli delegation had faced “an unprecedented display of hatred”.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) acknowledged that several contestants lodged complaints and has since implemented a new code of conduct and duty of care protocol.

These include designated no-filming zones in artist areas, more private rehearsals and better schedules to enhance participant’s welfare.

But the controversy has rumbled on – more than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter, urging organisers to ban Israel from this year’s event.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ has asked the EBU to discuss Israel’s inclusion in the competition, with its director general Kevin Bakhurst saying he was “appalled by the ongoing events in the Middle East”.

This led to speculation RTÉ may pull Ireland’s entry – and EMMY – out of the competition altogether, a move ruled out by Mr Bakhurst when he said he did not want to “undermine” Israel’s public service broadcaster.

That confirmation may come as a relief to EMMY, who told BBC News NI she is “so grateful” to represent the Emerald Isle at this year’s competition and cannot wait to see what Basel has in store for her.

As for any controversial issues, the singer said she feels well supported as she prepares for the upcoming semi-final.

“Everybody that was involved last year… they’ve experienced it now, and maybe [the EBU] have learned from it and there’s some new rules to keep everyone happy, safe and satisfied,” she said.

“I feel that people around me are taking good care of me, so I’m just very excited.”

Laika Party lifts off during Eurovision Semi-Final 2 at 20:00 BST on 15 May. You can follow along live on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer.