Swiss Eurovision King Nemo Makes History as First Nonbinary Winner

Contagious enthusiasm swept over the Swiss Eurovision fans as they prepared a hero’s reception for Nemo, their triumphant champion in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Nemo’s victory with “The Code,” a resplendent blend of operatic pop and rap, was not merely a musical one. Beyond its musical composition, the song represented a candid chronicle of the singer’s path towards embracing a non-gender identity.

Originally from Switzerland, Nemo is currently residing in Berlin. Their impending arrival in Zurich on a late Sunday night had the nation eager in anticipation, as divulged by the national broadcaster SRF. The Swiss representative succeeded in beating the Croatian rock ‘n’ roll sensation, Baby Lasagna for the coveted title. The triumph resulted from an amalgamation of points awarded by national juries and international viewers alike.

At the age of merely 24, Nemo has made a mark in the history of the contest. They have not only emerged as the first nonbinary winner but have also claimed the honor of being the first Swiss contestant to win since the renowned Canadian diva, Celine Dion clinched the title while representing the country in 1988. The Eurovision contest enjoys a strong lineage of support from the LGBTQ community, providing a welcoming platform for representation over the years.

The victory brought Nemo a moment of pride, both personally and for those they represent. In their winning address, Nemo professed the importance of recognizing the courage of individuals who dare to unabashedly be themselves. As a plea towards channeling empathy and compassion for those who seek understanding and wish to be heard, Nemo hoped the victory would inspire more acceptance in societies.

Biel, Nemo’s hometown, was quick to rejoice in the achievement of their newfound star. The city showcased its pride online, promising its residents were eager to partake in the impending celebrations. Biel, a bilingual German-French town with nearly 60,000 inhabitants and located almost 60 miles southwest of Basel on Lake Biel, is also known as the watchmaking capital of Switzerland.

Biel hailed Nemo’s cultural versatility as indicative of its own dynamic and inclusive nature. Nemo, a.k.a Nemo Mettler, stood out amongst 24 other competitors from different countries, captivating an in-person audience of thousands and an estimated global viewership of 180 million. Enjoying just a three-minute window, performers showcased their musical prowess through a range of musical genres.

As the jubilation continues, Switzerland is already considering preparations for the upcoming edition of Eurovision, as the contest traditionally shifts to the home country of the winner. Geneva, Basel, and St. Gallen have shown keen interest in hosting the event next year. The opportunity to display Switzerland’s cultural and touristic potential excites Gilles Marchand, Director General of the SRG media company.

Meanwhile, Nemo expressed a deep love for their adopted city, Berlin, lauding its creative and evolving nature.

On the other side of the victory, thousands congregated in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, to welcome their second-placed contestant, Baby Lasagna. As the performance of the powerful rock number “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” echoed throughout the crowd, the audience reciprocated their appreciation, chanting their love for the performer. Baby Lasagna’s song, themed around young Croatians yearning for a better life had struck a chord with Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, who was also among the crowd. He expressed pride in their contestant’s performance in the competition, stating that it was their best showing since Croatia’s independence in 1991.