Despite ongoing war in Ukraine, Eurovision denies President Zelensky airtime, citing non-political basis of the event.
In an unprecedented move, Eurovision has blocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from making a public address at tomorrow’s grand final, sparking controversy and debate.
Despite Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia and last year’s Eurovision win, the organisers have stuck to a strictly non-political policy.
The grand final will take place in Liverpool on 13 May, with the city stepping in for Ukraine as the host due to the ongoing conflict. The decision by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to prevent Zelensky from speaking has raised eyebrows, as it arguably overlooks the reality of Ukraine’s challenging political landscape.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles,” stated the EBU. “One of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event. This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest.”
While the EBU acknowledged that Zelensky’s request was made with “laudable intentions”, they stood by their rules, stating that the request “regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event”.
The ban of Russia from the Eurovision since 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, has already caused ripples, leading to the non-participation of at least three other nations this year. Despite the political tensions, 26 acts are set to perform, including last year’s winners, Kalush Orchestra, and 10 other Ukrainian artists.
Amid this brewing controversy, host Hannah Waddingham has won hearts with her vibrant presentation and multilingual skills, while Mae Muller is set to represent the UK with her pop track “I Wrote a Song”.
As the Eurovision-Zelensky block stirs debate, it raises questions on the intersection of entertainment, politics, and the responsibility of global platforms.
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