What is the theme for Eurovision 2025 and just who the heck is ‘Lumo’?

Eurovision is back – and in 2025, it’s louder, queerer, and more heartfelt than ever.

Hosted in Basel, Switzerland, this year’s contest has debuted its new theme – and it is very apt considering the queer and camp history of Eurovision: “Unity Shapes Love.”

Think pulsing hearts, alpine-inspired stage design, and a sonic fusion of techno and yodelling due to the competition’s location.

At a time when people are more divided than ever, and LGBTQ+ people are being attacked and discriminated against all over the world, the theme is a rallying cry for everyone to unite in the glitz, glam, and radical love of Eurovision.

Meet Lumo: The Eurovision 2025 mascot

The city of Basel and Swiss broadcaster SRG SRR have unveiled a mascot for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest.

Lumo has been described as “more than just a character – it’s been designed to showcase the beating heart of Eurovision; a living symbol of the magic of music and of the Eurovision slogan ‘United By Music’.”

The mascot was designed as part of a competition in which 1,100 students from Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW and the Basel School of Design were invited to submit their creative ideas.  

When is Eurovision on TV?

With just one month to go before Eurovision returns, following on from a historic victory by non-binary star Nemo and their song “The Code” in 2024, fans are gearing up for a spectacle – and from what we know so far, it’s not likely to disappoint.

Currently, Sweden is topping the betting charts to win their eighth Eurovision song contest thanks to queer-adored trio KAJ and their unapologetically chaotic banger “Bara Bada Bastu” but plenty of other countries are throwing their hat into the ring.

And let’s not forget that there’s a whole host of queer talent competing for the crown, including Red Sebastian for Belgium, Erika Vikman for Finland, and Malta’s Miriana Conte.

Conte is still commanding attention despite drama over the lyrics of her song “Kant” as it sounded too similar to an English swear word despite the fact that “Kant” means “singing” in Maltese.

She has re-submitted a new version of the song called “Serving” and is looking to be a contender for the top spot.

This year’s Eurovision could be a history-maker too, following in the footsteps of Nemo, but the betting odds don’t have much hope for the UK and its representatives in girl band Remember Monday.

Eurovision 2025 will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from May 13 to May 17. The two semi-finals will be held on May 13 and May 15, and the grand final will be held on May 17.