It’s the landlocked Eastern European nation, that sent a song in Belarusian to Eurovision for the first time last year and finished 17th on the night of the grand final.
But this year, Belarus won’t be represented by a Belorussian. Instead Ukrainian popstar Alekseev will fly the flag for Minsk at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon. Now the country’s President, Alexander Lukashenko, has intervened after criticism over Alekseev’s selection.
Speaking to BelTA, Lukashenko said:
“I am okay with a Ukranian singer representing Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest. There is nothing bad in it [a non-Belarusian representing the country], especially when this is a Russian or Ukrainian person.”
Lukashenko added that as a self-styled “internationalist”, he thinks Alekseev’s participation will be a good thing for the state. Alekseev’s popularity in the former Soviet states could also help secure 12 points from nations like Russia and Ukraine.
Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest
Lukashenko also discussed his decision for the country to participate at Eurovision. He said he sees it as a way for the world to see Belarus and to make a statement.
The former Soviet state has a mixed track record at Eurovision, qualifying from the semi-finals on four occasions since 2007, including a 6th place finish at the final in 2007 with “Work Your Magic”. Naviband last year made it to the Grand Final for the first time in two years.
Alekseev is currently on an extensive promotional tour of Europe. He’s set to perform his entry “Forever” in seven nations, after recently performing in Baku, Azerbaijan. He’ll visit the Netherlands, Lithuania, Spain, the United Kingdom, Estonia, Moldova and Israel.
“Forever” faces stiff competition in Semi-Final 1, which many Eurofans anticipate will be the more competitive of the two semi-finals this year. Alekseev will perform in the first half of the semi-final on May 8.
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If that great dancer can participate in Lisbon, then Alekseev will definitely win.
Take a look…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvaFzr739U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xtZ3GiK6xA
The Tolmachevy Sisters also gave out a concert in Minsk with guest star Polina Bogusevich. Also, The Sisters are appearing in Alekseev’s Promo Tour
Hi, why are you guys bringing the Tolmachevy Sisters in here? who cares about them. Geez… 🙂
And where do you see them on Alekseev’s promo tour? have any links, articles, etc. ? Txs
it is just a typical slavic schlager, which havent changed in style since the soviet era. maybe that´s what Lukašenka likes
Agree, this song is so post-Soviet… Would never won Vidbir. I think he was the best choice from Belarus, even though I liked Shuma more.
Where was he when Naviband was the Belarus rep last year??? I don’t recall them getting any official/political recognition….hmm, I wonder why? Corrupt much?
Could be it just wasn’t covered as Alekseev’s win and participation in the NF was more of a scandal…
I’m 100% supportive of Alekseev being an international model. But, his live singing ability in the English language needs to improve in order for him to do well singing the song “Forever” in English. Fortunately he and his team are aware of this, and Alekseev’s recent live appearances are demonstrating an improvement. 🙂
What would be really daring: Come and sing live at the London Eurovision Party. Please. 🙂
(second try to comment/reply) Wiwiblogs, are you censoring comments? Hope not… and that my previous comment just disappeared in the ether. 🙂
I like Alekseev, and I am pretty sure he will not disappoint in Lisbon. He is quite a good entertainer.. and can do wonders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-AtTqXkAwg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SIpFhrUKmk
Indeed. He is getting better:
https://youtu.be/PtQWuRPkaPo
Robyn: Are there any plans to upgrade the website’s comment system? I have tried to send e-mails to Wiwibloggs reps about this topic, and so far I either haven’t had a reply or the e-mails have bounced. If possible, I’d like to establish a line of communication so that I could help, if needed. Thanks in advance.
Totally agree…95% of the other singers deliver better than he could live on stage, however supporters deny it. His Belarus final performance was cringeworthy, out of tune, and poorly delivered. If he can’t improve in Lisbon, they’ll be no final for him.
Also, Lukashenka said that the singer Gunesh (who took second place in the Belarusian preselection) should, due to complaints about Alekseev in the EBU, leave Belarus. Lukashenka did not specifically mention the name, but everyone understood who he was talking about. She is Azeri native, but lives in Belarus.
Rigged results alert!
Lukashenko is such an open-minded sweetheart, who knew? 😛
Ah, hahaha. 😀
Oh wow, that’s cool, man. I wish our president supported our entry like this, too. It would definitely increase the interest to the contest I think.
I don’t think is a good sign when a dictator and anti-LGBT advocate endorse you. But anyway, good luck to Belarus.
i think that this epidemic of buying songs from foreign authors and bringing foreign artist to represent you is hurting the idea of Eurovision and should be forbidden…Eurovision is supposed to be a platform where countries are showcasing THEIR OWN talent, whether we are talking about composing, singing or dancing talents and not someone elses…therefore i don’t want countries like Belarus, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Cyprus…etc… to win cause the victory wouldn’t be truly theirs and it would encourage countries to follow their example…as a consequence Eurovision wouldn’t be about talent anymore but about hoe much money you have… and i’m not… Read more »
Agree.
The Bulgarian act is performed by 60% Bulgarians and the lead writer of the song is Bulgarian. Please remove Bulgaria from the rest of your list..
I completely agree with you!!!!! But, if it’s Azerbaijan in question, they would give those Swedish songwriters Azeri citizenship like they have done in the Olympics.
What is your problem with Azerbaijan?? Why are you always writing bad comments about the country?!
He is ethnic Armenian from NYC, he said that quite a few times.
Oh so he said that.
He is armenian I think. 90% of his comments are about Armenia and Azerbaijan. While the comments about Armenia are always positive, the ones about Azerbaijan are always negative. LOL
(Pretens to be shocked)
I also noticed that. He can be armenian, there’s nothing wrong with that. But he’s obviously biased.
@KESC – I only stated facts. If you’re not happy about it, take it up with your government. See link below:
https://www.meydan.tv/en/site/culture/16889/
Oh and yes, I am Armenian. But that doesn’t change any of the facts I stated.
This is not the right place for your pointless feud. Take it somewhere else please. You’re being annoying rn. People are here for Eurovision, unlike you.
You know, I’m pretty sure everyone’s sick and tired of you commenting negative things about Azerbaijan. First of all, KESC isn’t Azerbaijan, they are ethnic turkish living in Germany, if you actually did pay attention to anything else apart from how to speard your “hatewave” towards Azerbaijan, you wouldn’t be claiming they were Azerbaijani now. Wiwibloggs isn’t a olace for nationalists like you who always try to promote their motherland and say negative things about the country their motherland is in a passive war. If you have anything to tell about out entry, music video, performance please do, if you… Read more »
*Azerbaijani
*our
*have nothing
Oh, shush.
Germany won in 2010 by a song written by a Dane and an American.
But your little mind don’t care.
ok, so the win was not really earned by germans then and as i said, i’m not ok with that…whats your point? whas that an argument?
Come on, we need to be open-minded. This is a song contest, who cares about nationalities behind the entries. I am sure people watch the contest just to find some good songs there.
“who cares about nationalities behind the entries”
well you do know that every entry represents a country and its nation? and that when the points are being given, you don’t see names of all entries on the screen but names of countries that are competing?
Yeah this is nothing new. Switzerland won in 1988 with a (now famous) non-Swiss singer. Luxembourgh won at least twice with a French singer. France won once with an italian descended singer who was born in Morocco. So how can it ‘hurt’ the idea of Eurovision now when the newer countries do it? Also you seem to be of the opinion that culture and nationality are synonyms and that it all stops at the border when in reality there is spill over in tonnes of ways and places. So Cyprus’ singer is from Albania but she identifies as ethnically Greek.… Read more »
Eurovision is a tv show in which countries come together to showcase their talents and compete…so basic logic tells you that if countries are being represented in a tv show then they should be represented by someone from that country…the fact that someone didn’t care about that in 1988 is irrelevant…also i didn’t mention word “culture” even once in my comment so stop imagining things….regarding Cyprus, i really think you are overthinking this and yes it all does stop at the borders because when the voting time comes and you see some of the 43 flags on your screen,… they… Read more »
Agree 100%
The last time Belarus send their own artist it was trash
Please stop spreading hate! In the Romanian selection we had some spanish and ialian acts, and one from Moldova but they are not perceived as foreigners. They were not that good, otherwise they would have qualified, in 2011 we sent an Englishmen(our biggest flop)! If Alekseev entered our competition I’m sure he would have won and I hope our president, a German from our tiny German comunity, stood by him. Stop bashing and enjoy the music!
The dictator has spoken. That is the only seal of approval Alekseev needs. For “straight” dictators, Lukashenko, Putin and Aliev sure have a soft spot for Eurovision. Secret rainbows alert.
Eurovision in the East isn’t an LGBTQ+ centred event. Different cultures impart different things from the contest.
While I’m all for it being an LGBTQ+ thing, it’s not like you have to be in the community to like Eurovision.
no, in eastern Europe people don’t even know that lgbtq likes eurovision too. and the fact that the bubble in west is lgbtq, is still not relevant for 200 m. viewers.
Who told you that??! here is in Ukraine, we know very well about lgbtq and Eurofans strong connection/love, even more, in local public media ESC always mentioned as contest for gueers and houswifes, its a clishe for local people for almost 15 years here,lol
Doesn’t he know Russia and Ukraine are in the other semi tho? Their 48 points will go to someone worthy in the final thankfully.
Do you mean 24 points?
24+24 since they’re two countries.
Ah yes, I forgot the jury and public votes are separate for a moment.
the points are going to Rybak surely
Nikitaaaa ?
Where are my hearteyes 🙁
he needs to 1st be voted for the final. I can see him definitely getting 12 points from our russian televote. Not sure about the juries. Sevak or Elina probs will have the juryvote. Maybe Netta.
Y’all think Armenia will be in the final? I think it’s pretty chanceless, the song (what’s the title again?) is so forgettable.
Do you have anything than your personal opinion on the song to prove why it won’t qualify? For me, it’s touching, powerful and instantly memorable. So my irrelevant opinion just negated yours.
Does anyone know what time the revamp and the music video will air for the Armenian song? It was supposed to be today. Maybe, Armenian TV forgot?
Yours is irrelevant as you said!
Armenian diaspora is powerful enough to pull ”Qami” through
@Pavel – Not really. Last year Artsvik finished like 21st with televote in the final and did better with jury vote than with televote in the semi-final. But, I think Qami is going to qualify to the final because Sevak is an incredible vocalist and the Armenian TV does really well with staging their entries in recent years.
It’s not just about vocals, pls. -_- Lindita had one of the best vocals in ESC 2017 and look at that result she got in the first semi.
The main problem here is the song, it goes nowhere. Absolutely boring. I will be so mad if he makes it the final over songs like from Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, Macedonia etc etc. ffs
They don’t deserve to be in the final though. There are much better songs in the first semifinal imo.
This. The voters will do their job and let him rot in the semi tbh!
But let’s be honest here – Azerbaijan has weaker song than Armenia and if THEY qualify over… well anyone… it will suck.
But yeah, ballad-wise, Lithuania’s is stronger.
I also think that they’ll qualify undeservedly. That’s such a boring song and there’s something off-putting about the singer, too. It sucks cause there are so much better acts in that SF.
Speaking of Armenian entry, they have now added electric guitars to that fast part of the song. LOL. I know people expect them to be in the final thanks to diaspora voting, but I don’t see that happening especially in a semifinal like this. To be honest, none of the Caucasian countries deserve to be in the final this year. They need to stay in the semifinals and start thinking about their 2019 entries. :p
Last time I checked, Russia and Belarus are NOT in the same semifinal, so not sure how he’s going to get that Russian televote 12 points…..
Why so much hate around Belarus?
what do you mean? nobody hates Belarus here,last year in Kiyv Belorussian Naviband was one of the most adored stars and got so much love from people,this year situation a bit different with Alekseev (for knowing reasons) but nobody hates Belarus or you talking about Lukashenko? lol
Yuliya – Because he can’t sing, and the song isn’t a patch on Naviband’s last year.
Ok, I understand you, he performed not so good at the National Final. But I haven’t heard more negative comment’s than to the Alekseev’ performance
I speak about both the president and Alekseev.
I’m from Belarus, I don’t like the song of Alekseev but I support him as a young singer. Why not?
I don’t support our president as well, but it’s not a reason say “ha, some dictator approves of him”.
dont mind the haters. they probs just jealous that Belarus has the best milk & pstry in the world *yum*
Yeees 🙂
Because the song isn’t good, sorry. I liked last year’s entry.
It’s just your opinion. I have a lot of friends here in Belarus who didn’t like our 2017 entry at all..
If they didn’t like Naviband and now they like Alekseev, well… I’m sorry for your friends.
My friends don’t listen to both Naviband and Alekseev 🙂
I just think it’s unfair to accuse Alekseev because:
1) He’s an Ukranian
2) He performed not so good at NF
It’s not towards Belarus the country.
It’s towards the song selection system. There is always some sort of drama every year. Songs disqualified or fixed results, with the aledged intervention of political powers. This is why.
We all love the country, the people and some of the songs.
In Belarus there are always fixed results (and I mean not Eurovision). It’s true.. But at the same time I know that Alekseev is loved by a lot of Belarusians though he was not the strongest vocally at the National Final.
Naviband also send a male who cannot sing at all so its nothing new. He sing completely out of tune and the juries slurp it up
Alekseev had no chances to win Vidbir in Ukraine so he went for Belarus,smart move,good for him, not sure if it’s good for Belarus though…hope they did the right choice:)
Too bad for him that both, Russia and Ukraine are in Semi 2. Is he known in Azerbaijan or Armenia?
In Armenia he isn’t known.
He isn’t even known in Ukraine, I asked few friends and they had no idea who is this :DD
Ooh, some dictator approves of him. Woo.
Thank you
Wondering why participating in eurovision has to be a presidents decision… Anyway, every year there is controversy with Belarus, seems decisions are not only taken by the broadcaster…
In the specific case (a dictator and not a democratic president who puts in jail journalists and political opponents) it must get the approval
Well he must be a fantastic singer now that he has approval from Lukashenko — I will be sure to vote for him now ?