Posted on 02/25/2022 10:05:52 AM PST by billorites
In less than 24 hours, Eurovision is singing a different tune.
Organizers said on Friday that Russia will not be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, according to a statement. The decision comes less a day after the European Broadcasting Union initially decided it would allow a performer to represent the country, which this week invaded Ukraine, in the competition.
“The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” the statement said. “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.” Ad Feedback
Ukraine had petitioned to the European Broadcasting Union to bar Russia from participating in the competition in light of the invasion, according to a statement that was translated by NPR. The request was made in a letter that was primarily asking the EBU to remove Russian media from the association.
Russia had not yet chosen a performer to compete in the competition.
Rap group Kalush Orchestra was selected to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to take place in Turin, Italy in May.
The EBU said before making Friday’s decision it “took time to consult widely among its membership.”
EBU’s most recent statement also reasserted its position as an “apolitical” body.
“The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service,” the statement said. “We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage.”
On Thursday, after initially allowing Russia to compete, Eurovision organizers faced backlash. Hanna Stjärne, CEO of the Sweden’s Eurovision broadcaster...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Russia should be shut out of everything.
I think they should be allowed to compete under the Eurovision Russian Committee banner 🤪
corrupt neocons and their fake media will demand Russia be shut out of everything useless - Olympics, Eurovision, European soccer
Anything important or relevent to their own power - SWIFT, Pipelines, uranium production - not so much!
Ukraine was used and abused by NATO. Like some schoolyard punk encouraging the class nerd to pick a fight the captain of the football team.
Now that stings!
Finally…..something that will really hurt Putin.
Also the Little People are really angry!!
I’m sure he’s crying his eyes out right this second.
Duhfuh is that ?
If only Biden had the balls of Eurovision...
Russians really hate that a bearded drag queen won Eurovision
LOL, of course they had to quote Zhironovsky in that article:
“Fifty years ago the Soviet army occupied Austria,” he added. “We made a mistake in freeing Austria. We should have stayed.”
“But they’ll let this compete...”
Yeah but they just said Russia won’t be allowed to compete this year so Putin’s girlfriend won’t be allowed to compete again.
Gee, that’s hitting Putin where it hurts. Not.
If it makes you feel any better I’ve been calling for a total trade embargo on Russia and I absolutely agree with you that there is no end of hypocrisy in continuing to do business with Russia at any level.
We are living in a "liberal" world of pretense and imagery meant to obscure or possibly obliterate reality. Of course, energy shipments will receive a stern letter and then continue. Coal as well.
The EU and NATO -- which Putin suggested Russia join some decades ago -- have been waving their big stick named USA, and now they find out that the big stick is a twig.
The "face" of Europe is now Greta and Conchita Wurst.
Eurovision has not been exactly politically Neutral.
The Ukrainian song “1944” sang by Jamala won the contest in 2016.
The lyrics for “1944” concern the deportation of the Crimean Tatars, in the 1940s, by the Soviet Union at the hands of Joseph Stalin because of their alleged collaboration with the Nazis.
Jamala said that the song also reminded her of her own family living in Crimea nowadays, claiming that since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea “the Crimean Tatars are on occupied territory”.
Immediately after the selection of this song, some Russian politicians, as well as authorities in Crimea, accused the Ukrainian authorities of “capitalizing on the tragedy of the Tatars to impose on European viewers a false picture of alleged harassment of the Tatars in the Russian Crimea”.
CNN’s on top of this huge breaking story.
Disgusting.
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