Photo: Getty Images, Stefano Guidi. All rights reserved.
Tough sanctions have been imposed after Russia’s unscrupulous attack on Ukraine. But the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva is now showing solidarity and has reacted – the country ruled by Putin will be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. The step was necessary to protect the entertainment competition. Some countries, above all Ukraine, had previously demanded that the ESC could not take place with Russia due to the current situation. Finland even threatened not to allow any participants to compete this year as a protest.
On May 14, 2022, the finale of the 66th edition of the ESC will take place in Turin, Italy. As recently as Thursday, the EBU had stated that the Eurovision Song Contest was not political and would like to be understood as a cultural event. The criticism against the organizers has now apparently become even clearer. Now it says: “However, the EBU is concerned about the current events in Ukraine and will continue to monitor the situation closely.” So far, there has been no Russian candidate.
Ukrainian contribution
Ukraine previously put up Alina Pash as a candidate. However, she resigned on February 16 amid questions about a trip to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. As a successor, the band Kalush Orchestra moved up. They want to convince with the song “Stefania” in Turin – assuming they can convince in the semifinals.
Belarus will also be absent again in 2022
Belarus is also excluded from the ESC. The country was not allowed to compete last year due to the suspension of the broadcaster BTRC. This will also be the case in 2022. Now the Eurovision Song Contest will probably take place with a total of 40 countries. In sports, too, consequences were drawn after the attack. Formula One has canceled the Russian Grand Prix and the Champions League final has also been moved from Saint Petersburg to Paris.