Linda Lampenius, who is representing Finland at Eurovision 2026 alongside Pete Parkkonen, has been granted permission to play her violin live during the live shows.
Linda Lampenius has been granted special permission by the EBU to play her violin live during the live shows of Eurovision 2026. Lampenius and the Finnish delegation first asked for permission last month. Playing the violin live was practiced and tested and was approved by the EBU.
The use of live instruments at the Eurovision Song Contest is not allowed by the rules of the contest. However, in 2025, Lucio Corsi was allowed to perform a harmonica live during “Volevo essere un duro”.
Since the Eurovision Song Contest 1999, the use of live instruments has not been permitted at the contest. According to the rules, all instrumental music must be pre-recorded on the backing track, with any “playing” of instruments on stage simply being mimed. Prior to 1999, the Eurovision Song Contest had a live orchestra, which was compulsory to use until 1998.
Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “Liekinheitin”. They will perform in slot 7 in the first semi-final on May 12. You can read more about them here:
Source: Yle
Finland first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961. They debuted alongside Spain and Yugoslavia. Finland has finished last in the contest on 10 occasions and has received ‘nul points’ three times. It wasn’t until 2006 that Finland won the Eurovision Song Contest. Lordi represented the country in Athens with the song “Hard Rock Hallelujah” scoring 292 points, a record total at the time.