Russia was not allowed to participate in Eurovision in 2022 due to the start of the operation to denazify and demilitarize Ukraine. This decision was taken by the organizer of the song contest, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). - about how Russia perceived this step of Europe.
“Unprecedented Crisis”
“The European Broadcasting Union has announced that no Russian band will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest this year,” reads a statement posted on the Eurovision website ".This decision was taken by the EBU executive board on the recommendation of the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest "based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU". It is noted that the recommendation was supported by the EBU TV Committee.
“This decision reflects concerns that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s competition will damage the reputation of the competition,” explained Russia’s exclusion from the European Broadcasting Union.
Before making this decision, the EBU held "extensive consultations" with its members.
“EBS is an apolitical organization of broadcasters… We remain committed to protecting the values of a cultural competition that promotes international exchange and understanding, unites audiences, celebrates diversity through music, and unites Europe on one stage,” the organization concluded.
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Ultimatum of European countries
Earlier, Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that Ukraine applied to the administration of Eurovision with the initiative to remove the Russian participant.This idea was supported by Finland and Sweden: they refused to take part in Eurovision if a Russian performer performed there. Finland's ultimatum was reported in the public broadcasting corporation YLE.
“YLE will not send a participant to Eurovision if Russia takes part in the contest. YLE calls on the European Broadcasting Union to completely exclude Russia from participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, in May, ”RIA Novosti quotes a statement.
According to Ville Vilen, director of creative content and media at the company, the corporation "always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of speech and human dignity." He is convinced that Russia "attacked" these values.
With a smile on his face
Producer Iosif Prigozhin believes that there is no benefit in participating in the competition.“There is no trouble in this - I received this news with a smile on my face. What is Eurovision? Yes, this is a freak show, a rotten naphthalene competition with music of no interest to anyone, ”he said.
Prigozhin said that since Russia is not allowed in, it does not need it. This will save you time and money.
“Let's remember: at least one of our artists has become a world star in the West? Has anyone been accepted there? Even in peacetime, no one needs us there. And now, just look at what is happening: the deceitful, hypocritical leaders of Western countries have accused us all of aggression and have decided to punish us, to make us pariahs. But did we want war? I'll tell you this: don't put your paw in the bear's mouth! We were just cornered, ”concluded the producer.
Singer, composer, producer Alexander Dobronravov, in turn, said that in this situation "there is nothing to worry about."
“I think that, in principle, we do not need to participate in the current situation. This is the Eurovision decision. It (the name of the competition -) has two words: “euro” and “vision”. So the “euro” is the European Union and the whole united Europe, which today has a negative attitude towards Russia. And in connection with recent events, he is taking such negative steps, ”he told RT.
According to Dobronravov, if Russia is not in the competition, "nothing will happen." He remarked that the Russian Federation will probably send its artists to the competition next year, so "it's a completely painless story."
Deputy of the State Duma Committee on Culture, Honored Artist of Russia Denis Maidanov said that Russian citizens do not follow the competition and they do not like its content.
“Eurovision is where we don’t really want to go anymore. Of course, I can’t vouch for all the artists, but, in my opinion, our viewers have not watched this circus for a long time from year, and they don’t really like the content of everything that happens inside there. And not only music, I mean moral content. We'll live until then. Eurovision is not something we hold on to. We will probably even enjoy watching how they will be there without us. Are they better off without us, or are we better off without them in this competition? I am sure that not all representatives of show business or culture will support me, but as a person who wants well for his country, I think that this is even good, ”he said.
According to Maidanov, Russia is planning to create its own alternative to the music competition.Back to news »
Russia and Eurovision
According to the rules of Eurovision, no more than 44 countries are allowed to participate in the contest, no more than 26 participate in the final. Five countries are exempted from the semi-finals - Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and France, as well as the host country of the current competition.Countries that are members of the European Broadcasting Union can participate in the competition. Armenia, Israel, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Turkey also send participants to it. In addition, since 2015, one non-European and non-EMU country, Australia, has been participating in the competition.
Russia has been sending its artists to Eurovision since 1994. During this time, the Russian Federation was not allowed to participate three times - in 1998, 1999 and 2017. If in the first two cases this happened for legal reasons, then in 2017 the refusal of admission was politically motivated. Then Eurovision was held in Kyiv. Due to tensions in relations with Russia, the SBU banned singer Yulia Samoilova from entering Ukraine. However, she was able to represent her country at the competition already in 2018.
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