Swiss Entry Veronica Fusaro Fails to Qualify for Eurovision 2026 Final

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 has advanced to its Grand Final in Vienna, but Switzerland has failed to secure a place in the final round.

The contest moved to Vienna after the 2025 winner, countertenor JJ, claimed victory in Basel with the song “Wasted Love,” bringing the competition to Switzerland for that year.

In the second semi-final held on Thursday, Swiss singer Veronica Fusaro performed her entry “Alice” in an attempt to reach the Grand Final scheduled for Saturday.

Despite a strong performance, Switzerland did not qualify for the final round, ending its Eurovision 2026 campaign at the semi-final stage.

The Eurovision Song Contest remains one of the world’s largest live music events, bringing together performers from across Europe and beyond in a highly competitive televised format. Each year, countries compete for both jury and public votes to reach the Grand Final.

Switzerland’s elimination marks a disappointing outcome for fans following its previous success as a host nation after the 2025 victory in Basel.

Organisers continue preparations for the Grand Final in Vienna, where the winner of Eurovision 2026 will be crowned.

Isabella Rossellini to Receive Excellence Award at Locarno Film Festival

Isabella Rossellini will receive the Excellence Award at the upcoming Locarno Film Festival, celebrating her long-standing contribution to cinema, television, and fashion.

The award will be presented on August 5 during the opening night of the festival’s 79th edition, held on the iconic Piazza Grande in Locarno, Switzerland.

Rossellini, the daughter of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman and Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini, built her career first as a model before becoming an internationally recognised film and television actor. She is widely known for her role as Dorothy Vallens in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986).

Over the decades, she has collaborated with acclaimed directors such as Robert Zemeckis and the Taviani brothers, building a reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most distinctive performers.

More recently, she appeared in La Chimera (2023) by Alice Rohrwacher and Conclave (2024) by Edward Berger, a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Beyond acting, Rossellini is also deeply involved in environmental and animal studies. She holds a Master’s degree in animal behaviour and conservation from Hunter College in New York and has created several short film projects, including the acclaimed series Green Porno (2008–2009), which humorously explores animal mating behaviours.

Festival artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro described her as a “visionary and incomparable performer” whose work has left a lasting impact on global cinema.

The 79th Locarno Film Festival will run from August 5 to 15, bringing international filmmakers, actors, and audiences together in Switzerland.