From Moscow stages to Eurovision stardom: the complex journey of singer Eden Golan

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born in Israel to parents of Soviet descent, Eden Golan spent twelve formative years in Moscow before returning to her home country. Her path from a child performer in Russian talent shows to a Eurovision finalist has been marked by both professional success and the persistent, haunting shadows of public scrutiny.

Eden Golan was born in Kfar Saba in 2003. Her family background is deeply rooted in the former Soviet Union, with parents of Ukrainian and Latvian Jewish descent. At age six, she moved to Moscow for her father's work, living there for over a decade. While she launched her music career in Russia, participating in shows like The Voice Kids, she has described feeling uncomfortable due to frequent antisemitism. In 2022, she returned to Israel, a move accelerated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, though she noted her family intended to return regardless.

Golan's rise to international prominence occurred through the Israeli talent show Rising Star, where she secured her spot as the country's representative for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Her entry, 'Hurricane', reached the grand final, where she placed fifth overall and second in the public vote. Following the contest, her public profile expanded significantly; she performed at rallies for hostages, participated in New York City's Celebrate Israel parade, and received the Hero Award from United Hatzalah. In 2026, she performed at the Tel Aviv Pride festival, marking a return to public events following the October 7 attacks.

Despite these achievements, the aftermath of Eurovision has been difficult. In March 2026, Golan spoke openly about the psychological toll of the protests she faced during and after the competition. She described recurring anxiety and nightmares involving threats to her safety, noting that she is learning to live with these fears. Beyond her music, she has sought to contribute to her country in other ways, such as volunteering for the Israel Defense Forces after her Eurovision participation and supporting the Israeli delegation to the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.

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