Eden Golan isn’t just a singer; she’s a symbol of resilience and strength. Representing Israel in Eurovision 2024 during a year of profound challenges, Golan captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful performance of “Hurricane,” finishing fifth and proving that music can unite even in the face of adversity. Now, she’s bringing her voice and her story to St. Louis, where she’ll headline a special event for the local Jewish community on Jan. 16 at The Factory at The District in Chesterfield.

Since the Eurovision experience, Golan has released her newest song, “Older.” It’s a heartfelt reflection of her journey, a song about lost childhood, the pain of growing up too fast and the weight of a world that often feels unfair—all themes that resonate deeply in the wake of Hamas’ brutal attack on Oct. 7.

Ahead of her performance, Golan sat down with the Jewish Light to discuss her journey, her music and the message she hopes to share with audiences everywhere.

What inspired you to write “Older,” and how does it connect to your personal experiences?

I’ve been through a lot in my life—ups and downs that forced me to grow up faster than I should have. That’s exactly what ‘Older’ is about: having to face life situations you can’t control and how they impact you every day. After writing it, I realized it also connects to what we’re experiencing as a country and in the world. So many children are going through things they shouldn’t have to, unable to just be carefree kids and live the childhood they deserve.

Representing Israel on a global stage like Eurovision must have been both rewarding and difficult. How did you navigate the challenges and stay focused?

I had one goal and one goal only: to represent Israel with pride and deliver the best performance possible. That focus kept me grounded. Before Eurovision, I prepared myself mentally, imagining different scenarios—good and bad—that could happen. I even pictured getting booed, just so it wouldn’t come as such a shock if it happened in real life. But through it all, my goal kept me steady. Nothing could have shaken me off track.

Your song “Hurricane” started as “October Rain” and underwent significant changes. Can you share the story of its evolution and the message you wanted to convey?

“Hurricane” originally started as ‘October Rain,’ the song we first submitted to the EBU. It wasn’t accepted because they said it was too political—which I don’t agree with, but fine. I was definitely a bit shocked, but there was no question about what to do. We went straight back to the studio, changed the song and adjusted the lyrics to make sure we could compete. No fighting, no hesitation—just doing whatever it took to make it happen. That’s how ‘Hurricane’ came to be.

I’m so, so happy with how it turned out. The song captures the emotions, the scars and the experiences we’ve been through. But it’s not just about us—it’s a song for anyone weathering their own storm, whether it’s a hurricane in their life, a midlife crisis, or something else entirely.

What advice would you give young people who may face adversity for being proud of their identity or heritage?

Be confident. Own it. Don’t waste a second worrying about what others think because people will always talk and have opinions—that’s just something you can’t change. You have a choice: Focus on the negativity and let it bring you down, which is exactly what they want, or ignore it and take back your power. When you stop caring about what others say, you make them weaker and yourself stronger. Be confident, be proud, be loud—and don’t let anyone dim your light.

What’s next for you in your music career, and are there any upcoming projects you’re particularly excited about?

Wow, there’s so much coming up—life is absolutely crazy right now. I’m working on so many things at once: new music, writing songs and performing all over the world. I’m even stepping into acting a bit. But my main focus is on my music—creating art, telling my story, and sharing everything I have inside me with people around the world to bring them together and build this global family.

I just want to say how much I truly appreciate every single person who follows my career and my journey. To those who support me, spread love and do a little more good in this world—you have no idea how much that means. We need that now more than ever, and I love each and every one of you.

Tickets are available now at TheFactorySTL.com and Ticketmaster. For more details, contact Amy Bornstein at [email protected] or call 314-442-3763.