The 68th Eurovision Song Contest began in Sweden, with the war in Gaza overshadowing the sequin-spangled pop spectacle music event.

The first of two semifinals, held in the Swedish city of Malmo, included performers from all around Europe and beyond. It and a second semifinal on Thursday will reduce the field of 37 nations to 26, who will participate in the final on Saturday. There were a few who through their performances in any way tried to convey their message about the ongoing war in Gaza.

Here are a few glimpses from the semi-final:

TEYA DORA of Serbia performs the song RAMONDA during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Silia Kapsis of Cyprus performs the song Liar during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Eric Saade performs the song Popular during the opening of the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Eleni Foureira performs the song Fuego during the opening of the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Silvester Belt of Lithuania performs the song Luktelk during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Bambie Thug of Ireland performs the song Doomsday Blue during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Olly Alexander of United Kingdom performs the song Dizzy during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Jerry Heil of Ukraine performs the song Teresa & Maria during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

LUNA of Poland performs the song The Tower during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Baby Lasagna of Croatia performs the song Rim Tim Tagi Dim during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Raiven of Slovenia performs the song Veronika during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Natalia Barbu of Moldovia performs the song In The Middle during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

FAHREE, right, and Ilkin Dovlatov of Azerbaijan perform the song Ozunl? Aparduring the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Electric Fields of Australia perform the song One Milkali (One Blood) during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Iolanda of Portugal perform the song Grito during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

TALI of Luxembourg performs the song Fighter during the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.

Security observes from a roof at the Eurovision Village ahead of the first semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden.