Baku: Azerbaijan’s decision to choose the electro-pop group Mamagama, led by a Jewish singer, to represent the nation in the Eurovision 2025 Song Contest is seen as a significant and bold move.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the group, featuring lead singer Asaf Mishiyev, aims to convey a message of tolerance and coexistence, which aligns with Azerbaijan’s cultural fabric despite its Muslim-majority population.

Eurovision, known for its vibrant and eclectic performances, often serves as a stage where music and geopolitics intersect. Mamagama’s unique composition as a band echoes this intersection, with each member hailing from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Asaf Mishiyev, who is Jewish, is joined by guitarist Hasan Heydar, of Lebanese-Russian descent, and drummer Arif Imanov, an ethnic Azeri. The band’s formation reflects the multicultural and tolerant spirit of Baku, where Jewish and Muslim holidays are celebrated side by side.

Mishiyev, who has deep ties to the Jewish community in Azerbaijan, highlights the significance of representing both his country and his Jewish heritage on an international platform. This representation is particularly poignant given Azerbaijan’s proud Jewish history, which includes one of the oldest Jewish communities globally. These Mountain Jews, as they are known, have coexisted peacefully with their Muslim neighbors since settling in the Caucasus mountains in the fifth century AD.

The geopolitical implications of Azerbaijan’s choice are notable, especially considering past controversies at Eurovision, such as the debate surrounding the Israeli entrant last year. Azerbaijan’s warm diplomatic relations with Israel, established shortly after its independence in 1992, are mirrored in the nation’s decision to send Mamagama to Eurovision. The relationship has grown over the years, with Azerbaijan opening an embassy in Israel and incorporating definitions of antisemitism in educational materials.

Mamagama’s entry ‘Run With U’ is a vibrant, synth-driven anthem that blends contemporary and traditional Azerbaijani musical elements, aiming to connect audiences across borders. The music video, set in a dystopian future, symbolizes resilience and reinvention, themes that resonate with the group’s mission to foster unity through music.

As Eurovision unfolds in Basel on May 13, Mamagama will have the opportunity to showcase their message of love and unity, transcending geographical and cultural divides.