Russia was eliminated from the Eurovision Song Contest following the fighting in Ukraine

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced tonight (Friday) that Russia will not participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

According to the announcement, which came under pressure from many European countries, the decision reflects the fear that in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of Russian participation in this year's competition will adversely affect competition

Yaniv Dornbush

25/02/2022

Friday, 25 February 2022, 18:26 Updated: 19:19

• Share on Facebook

• Share on WhatsApp

• Share on Twitter

• Share on Email

• Share on general

• Comments

  Comments

Announcement of the winner and representative of the Eurovision Song Contest - Michael Ben David (NOW Guy Divon)

Eurovision drama: The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced tonight (Friday) that no Russia will participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

A press release states that the board of the association has reached a decision following a recommendation made earlier today by the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, based on the rules and values ​​of the European Broadcasting Union.

According to the announcement, the decision reflects the fear that in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of Russian participation in this year's competition will adversely affect competition.

"Before making this decision, it took the EBU time to consult extensively with its members. The EBU stressed that it is a non-political organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values ​​of public service." We remain committed to protecting cultural competition values ​​that promote international exchange and understanding. Bringing audiences closer together, celebrating diversity through music and uniting Europe on one stage, "reads the statement.

More on Walla!

Ukraine demands from the European Broadcasting Union to boycott Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest

To the full article

The announcement was preceded by calls from bodies broadcasting the competition across Europe.

The most resolute response came from Finland, which announced: If Russia participates, we will not.

The Finnish Broadcasting Corporation YLE stated that "Russia's attack on Ukraine is contrary to all the values ​​that YLE and other European broadcasters represent. YLE always protects Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity. The Finnish corporation can not take part in the incident in which Russia attacked "Bluntly these values, can use one of the well-known brands in Europe to promote its interests. We hope that the EBU will act in accordance with its values ​​here," the press release said.

Estonia also came out with a similar message when Eric Rose, chairman of the board of the Estonian Broadcasting Authority (ERR) stated that Estonian television would decide on its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest based on whether or not Russia participates in the competition, ERR is in contact with its EBU counterparts. "It is clearly inconceivable that Estonia will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in a situation where Russia will participate in it and Ukraine will not.

Our colleagues from Baltic countries are of this opinion.

We will continue to be in touch with the EBU as the organizer of the song contest, "Rose said.

" NRK has clearly told the EBU that Russia will not be able to participate in this year's Eurovision Song Contest as a result of the invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, it is an organization that needs some time to anchor a decision.

We have full confidence that the EBU will make the right decision, "said the CEO of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.

"In DR we find it wrong if Russia participates in the Eurovision Song Contest as it is now. This is DR's position and we are transferring it to the EBU. We are in an ongoing dialogue with the European Broadcasting Union," Gustav Lutzhaft told Danish newspaper Extra Bladt.

"We do not agree with the EBU in this case. Given the very serious situation in Ukraine at the moment, we find that Russia's participation does not match the Eurovision values."

According to Luczaft, he does not express his political views but this time it is a "serious and unpleasant situation, and it happened in a very short time. Therefore we will closely monitor the situation and treat it regularly. As it is now, we think the situation does not match the possibility of Russia's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. "

Asked if Denmark would withdraw if Russia participated anyway he said: "We are monitoring the situation, it has developed in the last day, we are monitoring closely and we will deal with it at a later date, but we think it is wrong if Russia participates".

confiscated.

Putin (Photo: Reuters)

Iceland is complemented by the image of the northern countries: "We have been in touch with our Nordic counterparts who share our concerns about the situation in Ukraine. We all think that Russia's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will not work in these circumstances," Radio Director of the Icelandic Broadcasting Authority.

He would not be stressed if Iceland withdrew if Russia was allowed to participate, and said now was not the time to discuss it.

"I have full faith that the EBU will take this seriously and responsibly."

Eric Van Stad, CEO of the AVROTROS network in the Netherlands that hosted the Eurovision Song Contest last year, posted a statement on Twitter stating "Personally and as CEO of AVROTROS, I do not want to be silent anymore. This is the time when Europe needs to unite and show what we stand for. "I still stand by the definition of politics, it is a blatant violation of universal values ​​such as independence and human rights. I ask other countries to speak out and call on the EBU to suspend Russia's membership, according to which they can no longer participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin."

Watan Stud's call is for Russia's removal from membership in the European Broadcasting Union as a whole, meaning its blockade gets access to news broadcasts, major sporting events, and more.

The CEO of the Lithuanian Public Broadcasting Corporation LRT also called for disqualifying Russia from Eurovision 2022. “We will invite more countries to join a joint statement calling for Russia to be excluded from Eurovision.

We are using all means to achieve our goal, "she said.

The CEO of the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation, SVT, condemned the European Broadcasting Union's announcement yesterday.

"The EBU needs to rethink. I identify with the idea of ​​the Eurovision Song Contest as an apolitical event, but the situation in Europe is extremely serious with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It crosses all borders."

According to CEO Hannah Styrna, "We called on the EBU to change the decision and follow developments closely."

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's public broadcasters yesterday (Thursday) called on the European Broadcasting Union, which produces the Eurovision Song Contest, to suspend Russia's membership and boycott it from participating in this year's Eurovision, claiming Russian broadcasters are "Kremlin mouthpiece Part of the "systematic dissemination of disinformation" against Ukraine, and further argued that it was "contrary" to the values ​​of the European Broadcasting Union.

Yesterday the European Broadcasting Union's response was completely different and it was announced that the representatives of Russia and Ukraine would be able to participate in the competition, which will be held in May in Turin, Italy.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is a cultural and non-political event that unites nations and celebrates diversity through music. Public broadcasters in Russia and Ukraine have pledged to attend the event in Turin this year, and we currently plan to welcome artists from both countries to perform in May.

Tonight, as mentioned,

• culture

• Music

• Music news

Tags

• Eurovision

• Russia

• Ukraine