No Russian act will be allowed to participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, organizers announced on Friday, citing fears that Russia’s inclusion would damage the reputation of the world’s largest music competition, a showcase meant to promote European unity and cultural exchange.
The European Broadcasting Union, the coalition of public media organizations that oversees the contest, said it had decided to block Russian performers after consulting with its membership, which includes broadcasters from 56 countries, including Ukraine and Russia.
“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 group said in a statement.
More than 200 million people watch the annual competition, which features performers from 39 different countries singing and dancing to a diverse range of songs. Maneskin, a tattooed, four-person Italian rock band, won last year’s competition and Barbara Pravi, a French solo artist, came in second after singing a plaintive song of longing backed by a piano and cello.
İlginizi Çekebilir