Russia excluded from Eurovision Song Contest
Russia is not allowed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest this year, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Friday. Several countries, including the Netherlands, had requested this.
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It was not yet known which artist would send Russia to Italy, where the Eurovision Song Contest will take place this year.
Earlier, the EBU announced that Russia could still participate in May, but that statement was made before the Russian invasion of Ukraine started.
According to the EBU, the Russian invasion is not in line with the values of the organization. A Russian participation would discredit the event, the EBU said. The decision to exclude Russia has been taken with the participating countries.
Russia excluded from Eurovision Song Contest
The Finnish broadcaster Yle had previously announced that it would not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest if Russia is present. The broadcaster also called on the EBU to suspend the country. Previously, broadcasters from Latvia and Sweden already made similar calls. The broadcaster from Ukraine also called on the EBU to no longer admit Russia.
AVROTROS called on EBU to suspend Russia
AVROTROS director Eric van Stade also made an urgent appeal to the EBU on Friday to suspend Russia. “Personally and also as director of AVROTROS I no longer want to remain silent”, says Van Stade. “This is the time for Europe to unite and show what we stand for.”
The NPO and the AVROTROS state in a statement that they support the decision of the EBU. “Especially the Eurovision Song Contest is a festival of connection and fraternization and a country that violates the sovereignty of a neighboring country in such a gross way is not part of that”, according to the NPO.
The Dutch entry S10 announced through its management that it agreed with the statement of the AVROTROS.
Last year Russia finished in ninth place with Manizha and her song Russian Woman . The Italian group Maneskin won with the song Zitti e buoni . Russia last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. The Netherlands then sent De Toppers.
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