Luxembourg's 2026 Eurovision contender Eva Marija is entering the final stretch before the contest in Vienna, following a series of pre-party performances across Europe, most recently in London, where she currently lives and studies. After earlier stops in Oslo and Amsterdam, the London event marked the last major pre-party before Eurovision, bringing together 25 of this year's 35 competing artists.
The gatherings, which include concerts, media appearances, and fan events, are designed to promote the songs and give audiences a first live taste of the competition.
Eva Marija performed her entry Mother Nature in front of thousands of fans during the pre-party circuit, including at Amsterdam's AFAS Arena, where more than 4,000 spectators attended the 'Eurovision in Concert' event.
"It's really special to be here now, not for university, but for Eurovision" she said, reflecting on returning to London's 'HERE at Outernet' venue, where she had previously performed with her university group. "Life changes, right?!"
The Luxembourg singer, who is currently studying songwriting in London, described the pre-party experience as both intense and rewarding, with a packed schedule of rehearsals, interviews and appearances.
"I've learned that sometimes I have to say no, because I can't be in two places at once", she said. "But I've also learned that the journey is important, not the destination."
The pre-parties have also allowed artists to connect ahead of the competition, with Eva Marija highlighting the strong sense of camaraderie among participants. "Everyone is really nice and charismatic… it's like a small family", she said. "It's a melting pot of cultures."
Fellow contestants were equally positive about Luxembourg's entry. Moldova's Satoshi praised her "clear message and intention", saying that having a defined artistic vision is what stands out most on the Eurovision stage.
Switzerland's Veronica Fusaro described her as "super talented", noting her ability to both sing and play violin alone on stage.
That musical versatility has drawn comparisons with past Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak of Norway, who also sent her a personal video message of support. Eva Marija revealed that he was the reason she first picked up the violin.
Alongside Eurovision preparations, Eva Marija is completing her degree at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. She has postponed part of her academic workload due to the contest and is now using her Eurovision journey as the basis for her final thesis.
"I wrote my song Mother Nature for this year's Eurovision, so I thought I could write about that for my final project", she explained. The demanding schedule has required careful time management, but fellow artists have expressed admiration for her ability to juggle both commitments.
"I was speaking with her earlier and she told me she's writing her thesis while doing Eurovision", Satoshi said. "Good luck on that."
Despite the hectic pace, the experience appears to be energising the Luxembourg singer. Between performances, media events, and collaborations with other artists – including a social media duet with Finland's Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – she has continued to build visibility ahead of the contest.
"I'm a bit tired today", she admitted after the London shows, "but I think I'm ready for Vienna."
With the pre-party circuit now finished, Eva Marija is set to return to Luxembourg briefly before heading to Austria for the Eurovision Song Contest, where she will aim to turn growing international support into a strong result on the big stage.
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