Eurovision says Russia will not be in this year’s contest. ‘The only right decision’
One day after organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest said Russia would still be allowed to compete in this year’s event, they have reversed their stance.
Russia will no longer have a representative at this year’s Eurovision, an annual competition in Europe that attracts global attention. The move comes during day two of an invasion of Russian military forces into Ukraine.
“The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute,” the European Broadcasting Union said in a statement on Friday, Feb. 25. “Before making this decision the EBU took time to consult widely among its membership. The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service.”
The announcement by the EBU received a wave of support by Europeans.
“The only right decision,” one person commented.
“It was the best option, I do feel sorry for Russian Eurovision fans but still ... Russia’s participation was gonna be extremely controversial and I do believe that if Russia was going to participate, the fellow candidate was going to suffer unhelpful hate,” another user said.
A day earlier, the EBU said Russia would remain in this year’s contest. Eurovision is scheduled to take place this May in Turin, Italy, and will also include a representative from Ukraine.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event,” the EBU said at the time, according to NPR. “The EBU is however concerned about current events in Ukraine and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
The popular event pits musical acts from dozens of countries — some of which are not even in Europe — against one another to determine a champion. Each country has its own competition to decide who goes to Eurovision.
To put it in American terms, the competition is part “American Idol” and part Super Bowl, with fashion and flair that rival the Capitol from “The Hunger Games.”
Past Eurovision competitions led to worldwide fame for Celine Dion and ABBA. Italian rock band Måneskin won last year’s event and have since enjoyed success in the United States, including a booking at the upcoming Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Russia had not selected an act to compete in this year’s event. Ukraine originally selected Alina Pash as its representative, but she withdrew when Ukrainian officials learned she made a trip in 2015 to Crimea, an area under Russian control. Ukrainians are not allowed to travel to Crimea through Russia, NME reported.
Kalush Orchestra was later selected to represent Ukraine, Eurovision announced.
Fans of the international competition suggested boycotting Eurovision if Russia was not pulled from the event. Others called it “a joke” when it was initially announced Russia would remain in the event.
“Eurovision was founded from a desire to promote unity between countries after war, and Russia is endangering this unity,” one Twitter user said. “This is not about politics, this is about decency and solidarity with Ukrainians. Cultural sanctions DO matter.”
“The Eurovision Song Contest was created to unite Europe together after WWII,” said another user. “What message does it send to allow Russia’s participation in the contest at this time?”
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 10:57 AM with the headline "Eurovision says Russia will not be in this year’s contest. ‘The only right decision’."