Following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia will not be represented in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Organizers fear the country’s participation will bring Europe’s most popular contest into disrepute.
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Russia will not be able to be represented in the Eurovision song contest, its organizer fearing for the reputation of one of the most popular cultural events in Europe, after the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow.
“In the context of the unprecedented crisis unfolding today in Ukraine, there were fears that a Russian participation this year would bring discredit to the Competition. Before taking its decision, the EBU took the time to carry out a broad consultation with its members”underlines a press release from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) published on Friday 25 February.
Statement from @EBU_HQ regarding Russia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.https://t.co/HmKJdqVE4J pic.twitter.com/tVH6yFxzbq
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) February 25, 2022
Not only will no artist representing Russia be able to participate in this popular event, broadcast live on all public television channels on the European continent and which has taken on a cult dimension, but this country will not be able to vote for the other performances. Russia “is completely excluded from the whole event” which brings together tens of millions of spectators each year, said an EBU spokesperson interviewed by AFP.
“We remain committed to protecting the values of a cultural competition that promotes international exchange and mutual understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites all of Europe on one stage of performance”, emphasizes the EBU, which brings together many public broadcasting organizations and serves a potential audience of one billion people.
Eurovision is indeed one of the most watched shows in the world by more than 200 million viewers. This year, Italy will host the 66th edition of this competition, in Turin from May 10 to 14, 2022, after the victory of the Italian rockers dressed in Maneskin leatherlast year in Rotterdam.