Russia will not be able to be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The country is excluded by the organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) which did not want to taint the reputation of the event after the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow.
“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.“, also explains the EBU in a press release published on Friday.
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Russia has more than once created turbulence in the holding of the contest. The conflicts led by Vladimir Putin have led artists to protest in different ways. In 2016, the song “1944” is defended by Ukraine and addresses Stalin’s deportation of Crimean Tatars. It takes on a particular resonance when Russia has just annexed Crimea, a Ukrainian territory.
Jamala, a Crimean Tatar herself, sings thus: “When foreigners arrive, they come to your house, they kill you all and they say they are not guilty”. The title could have been rejected for its political connotation, a reason for disqualification. It straddles the settlement with the rationale of dealing with a historical fact. Jamala will win Eurovision.
A year later, Ukraine finds itself host country and hosts Eurovision in Kiev, the capital. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has banned the Russian candidate from entering the country. The grievance: Yulia Samoilova gave a concert in Crimea. For Ukraine, it is therefore inconceivable to welcome this competitor.
Verka Serduchka stood out a decade earlier with his disco costume and electro-pop rhythms. An eccentricity worthy of Eurovision for many. But a successful review for the Ukrainian singer who presents “Dancing”. The chorus chants “Russia good bye” (“Goodbye Russia”).
“As the lyrics weren’t written, the Ukrainians said it was a made-up language, that he was saying ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’. And so it went,” recalls Torbjorn Ek, music journalist, interviewed in the fascinating documentary “Eurovisions” on Arte. But anyone listening to the song hears someone who doesn’t speak English well saying ‘Russia good bye’. And it became a real hit.”
Another example in 2009 when Russia received the competition at home. Georgia takes the opportunity to send a committed message. Because a year earlier, an armed conflict opposed the two countries. Georgia intends to send this missive: “We Don’t Wanna Put In”. Interpreted, attentive ears will detect a “We don’t want Poutine”, or “We don’t want Poutine”. The song does not pass. The organizers of Eurovision consider it political. Georgia refuses to change the lyrics and can therefore no longer compete.
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Political, the appointment can be in spite of itself when artists are rewarded who embody ideas, ideas of tolerance in particular. We obviously remember Conchita Wurst. The Austrian drag queen triumphed at Eurovision in 2014. At the time, Vladimir Putin did not appreciate this victory at all. It must be said that pride and LGBT rights are not the vision promoted by the master of the Kremlin who brutally represses minorities.
Moreover, behind the Russian military operations in Ukraine in recent days, we must see an ideological message from Vladimir Putin according to Dominique Derda. For the former correspondent of France Télévisions in Moscow, “these operations are also against the values represented by Western culture. Vladimir Putin shows that he has nothing but contempt for this Europe which he considers to be decadent”.
The Eurovision 2022 final will be held in May in Turin, Italy, broadcast to 200 million viewers worldwide. An impressive platform for those who decide to bring the dispute, once again, to the address of Russia.