First, Vidbir 2019 winner MARUV was confirmed as not being Ukraine‘s act for Eurovision 2019. Then national final runners-up Freedom Jazz also turned down the gig. Now third-placed act KAZKA have also said no to the chance to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv.
The electronic pop trip confirmed their decision with a post on Instagram.
They explained to their fans:
“We want and would have the honour to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest. We have invested in this desire a lot of forces, energy, time. We followed this at the national final. But we do not need to win at any price. Our mission is to unite people with music, not to sow discord. Therefore, to the proposal of [UA:PBC] we have a clear answer: we will not go to Eurovision 2019. At the same time, we do not abandon our main goal — to bring Ukrainian culture to the world. We are ready to introduce Ukraine to the competition next year, if we are selected. So far, we are moving further and waiting for you all in our concerts around the world.”
KAZKA had placed third in Vidbir 2019 with the moody electropop track apart. The song had been an early favourite to win Vidbir 2019, however the group lost some support when the live performance did not match the polish of the studio cut.
However, KAZKA still retained strong support and placed second with the televote in the Vidbir grand final, giving them an overall third-place finish. Their response suggests that their goal still is to represent Ukraine at Eurovision — just not this year.
Who is left?
With MARUV, KAZKA and the second-placed Freedom Jazz out of the running for Eurovision 2019, this leave only three Vidbir acts left — the bottom three placers.
Next on the list if the fourth-placed act, indie band Brunettes Shoot Blondes. They had entered with their relationship lament “Houston”, notable for a tricked-out grand piano used to “play” most of the song’s instrumentation.
In fifth place was the electronic folk duo YUKO. While their song “Galyna guliala” was the fourth favourite of the jury, it was the least favourite of the public. This suggests that YUKO may be an unpopular pick if they were to end up being the act going to Eurovision.
In last place was the sisterly duo Anna Maria. The twin singers were last with the jury and had been involved in a tense conversation with the judges regarding a Crimea-based family member.
Poll: Which remaining Vidbir 2019 finalist should Ukraine send to Eurovision 2019?
Earlier in the week, wiwibloggs asked readers who you wanted to see represent Ukraine. Kazka and Freedom Jazz topped the poll, but this leaves Yuko as the most popular act still in the running, with 13.87% of the vote. Next was Brunettes Shoot Blondes closely following with 13.67%. Last was Anna Maria with just 10.56%.
- Yuko – “Galyna Guliala” 13.87% (278 votes)
- Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston” 13.67% (274 votes)
- Anna Maria – “My Road” 10.56% (212 votes)
But with three acts left to choose from, who do you think the Ukraine broadcaster should select for Tel Aviv?
[polldaddy poll=10251084]What do you think? Should the broadcaster ask another Vidbir finalist? Or should they ask someone else? Tell us your ideas in the comments section below!
What goes around comes back around. In 2017 they made every effort to make Russia withdraw and now they shot themselves in the head. Bang.
wiwi should also wiwithdraw from any national finals
So there is a chance for Serhat to qualify this year
Just send Jamala & Ruslana
JA RUle
Good for Finland and Darude. Im pretty sure that Darude qualifies, if they have a good live show, if the other countries are trash, Finland have a chance.
Sad for Ukraine thought, but better with a shorter semifinal. I dont want to stay up the whole night.
The semi will end at the same time with either 18 or 19 songs.
Ukraine withdrew, just in
UKRAINE WITHDREW
since Ukraine managed to reverse a withdrawal decision once (2010), I would hold my horses till March 9, 2019.
2007: Russia Goodbye
2019: Ukraine Withdraw
Just in. They’re withdrawing from Eurovision
just in. Verka (Andriy) said that he will be ready to be a last chance rescue team if everyone declines the offer.
With what? The song deadline is less than two weeks away.
his stuff takes like 3-4 hours to make, throw some random phrases, crazy beat and hint at “Russia goodbye (Basha Mumbai)” to create controversy
The biggest irony for me is the UA:PBC head’s statement that the reasoning behind the proposed contract to MARUV is to avoid fracturization of the Ukrainian society. We’re all seeing how this is going, with UA:PBC successfully fracturing and humiliating the Ukrainian artists who, unsurprisingly, refused to accept that.
Hoist by their own petard. And now Ukraine is withdrawing.
I’m glad that Freedom Jazz, KAZKA and Brunettes Shoot Blondes made the right decision, for solidarity and self-respect. All my love and respect for them too!
KAZKA was my favourite in Vidbir this year and I was excited they had a second chance, but in the end I’m truly glad they took a stand and didn’t accept it. My favourite in the bottom 3 would be YUKO, but I disagree with their contract- MARUV deserves to go to Eurovision.
Ukraine doesn’t even deserve to be called European country… please, shut down this circus because Europe has enough of your dramas…
My biggest respect to Freedom Jazz, KAZKA and Brunette Shoot Blondes. They turned down an offer that may be once in the lifetime. It takes a lot of courage to do so. Unlike Spanish primadonnas, they all actually fought for that right and now, when approached, they have the integrity to do the right thing. I wish them all the best and may we see them all on ESC someday.
Freedom Jazz, KAZKA and Brunette Shoot Blondes all turned down an offer that frankly may never return. It takes guts to do so. They are all talented musicians and I wish all of them get to represent Ukraine (or any other country if they choose so) in Eurovision sometime in the future. They all have my biggest respect. All the best to Maruv and all of the finalists.
UA:PBC should crawl back to MARUV and beg her forgiveness…
Oh they will, it was all for some attention so they can go to eurovision and beat Russia again ( that’s their definition of ESC sadly) … so we’re gonna have another disgusting political battle like 2016 and then another drama of participate or withdraw like 2017 …. I feel like I’m gonna have to skip this season of ESC!! Sorry to other 40 countries, it’s not your fault!!
I honestly am glad to be wrong on my prediction in this case… they did the right thing by withdrawing!!
So here’s the situation:
1. Freedom Jazz (Refused)
2. KAZKA (Refused)
3. Brunettes Shoot Blondes (Said on Instagram and Facebook that they would decline the offer if approached)
4. YUKO (Has some Russia drama, so she’s out)
5. Anna Maria (They had that Crimea/Mother scandal so they are also out…)
At this point I’d say Ukraine’s best options are eirther to withdraw or ask and apologize to Maruv and change that contract. In any case it isn’t looking good for Ukraine…
They could also ask any random singer to go (with very low chances of success, obviously).
Jamala has released a new song. O.Torvald has one. There are Vidbir semifinalists as well, like Khayat so was done wrong by the jury.
The spokesman of UA:PBC have mentioned Ukraine won’t get any fines if there no participant at the contest since there will be broadcasting no matter what. Does somebody know the conditions of getting the fine?
As far as I know, there is no fine for stepping out before HoD meeting. But they will have to pay full participation fee.
They can send Jamala creaming “CRIMEA”. They are already confirmee NQ
They have a small 2 weeks to find an entry, it’s the kind of funny drama
Brunettes Shoot Blondes have just posted a message on Facebook stating that they would reject an eventual offer made by the Ukrainian broadcaster to go to Eurovision. Ukraine, you’re running out of choices (and time)
Brunettes Shoot Blondes refused as well. So… I guess the participation of Ukraine is doomed this year
Its clear than everybody in comment section enjoy this drama.
MARUV got international PR, only victim is UA:PBC
They are bullies, not a victim. They got what they deserved!
I am personally on the side of Maruv, because she won Vidbir fair and square. But there is still politics. what if an official UA representative in a press-conference says “Russia is our good friends, we only have civil conflicts in our country, I think USSR should be restored”? Will wiwi say “let’s do this”? Tricky. Since 2018 Ukrainian law states Russia as an “aggressor” state, there surely oughta be some restrictions on what their representative can or can’t say during the press-conferences. (O.Torvald and Melovin has never toured Russia and explicitly stated their pro-Ukrainian political position (on Crimea, Donbass… Read more »
No I don’t want Houston to Tel Aviv.
BSB already declined.
YUKO’s lead singer is a citizen of Russia. You can strike them out from the list.
YUKO’s lead singer said she’s ready to revoke her Russian citizenship for a chance to compete on behalf of Ukraine.
At this point Ukraine can’t win. Withdrawal will cost them money, no decent artist will say YES. Their chances are only in their heads.
Your poll should include a “Do not participate” option.
We need to stop this conversation, i can understand the disappointment from fans, but things needs to go over this situation. Ukrainian television made her decision, which for most of the people is bad but for the rest of them is based on right statements; Maruv made her right decision actually and we have to accept her point of view.
Now, we can’t undercover all the song contest because of that, isn’t right for the others contestants.
I absolutely agree!!! But I think it’s just a matter of publicity.. I am tired of this russia-ukraine thing every single year in Eurovision SONG “contest”, I with they could both withdraw for some time!!
Don’t blame Russia for Ukraine’s behaviour.
Actually you’re right… at least Russia is not making drama this year just to draw some attention!! But I haven’t forgotten their drama in 2017
>But I haven’t forgotten their drama in 2017
Which was 100% caused by Ukraine and all the same Ukrainian politicians who are roasting Maruv these days. Look them up.
Yulia violated Ukrainian law, she could have crossed the Crimea border through Ukraine and not violate any laws.
The same happens in case you arrive in Abkhazia, Ossetia (with Georgia), the Karabakh region (with Azerbaijan) or Nothern Cyprus unathorized (with Cyprus).
oh yeah, as if Russia never did anything wrong…international sanctions don’t exist out of thin air. If you don’t like Ukraine or post-Soviet territorial disputes, look at Trump, Orban, Marine Le Pen or Salvini helped by Russia or financed with the help of Russia, seems pretty enjoyable.
You are making it too political, it’s still Eurovision. Laws are important to follow but other disputes that have nothing to do with it should be left out.
Yugoslavia was banned from the same old Eurovision from 1993 onwards as part of sanctions similar to Russian ones.
Someone says “I am tired of this Russia-Ukraine thing”, and people start the exact same stupid thing in the comment section… “Ukraine started”, “No, Russia did”, “Yeah but Ukraine did that in 2016”, “No but Russia did that in 2017”.
Seriously, everyone in Europe, especially every Eurovision fan, is effing tired of this pathetic circus BOTH countries are putting on, and you in the comment section are exhausting every one as well.
as long as you will try to keep politics out of your life, Brexits will happen, National Fronts and various right-wingers backed by Russia will continue to seek power. I would also like to live in a rosy bubble, but nowadays it’s sadly almost impossible.
Who says I’m “keeping politics out of my life”? We’re not talking about my life here, we’re talking about a TV show that several governments try to use as a propaganda vehicle (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, etc.) and all of you sheep fall in that stupid trap and are having meaningless fights on an online forum. Eurovision has nothing to do with Brexit and so on, and btw 95% of the participating countries do not try to instrumentalise the contest (basically all of them, except Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Armenia). Be smart, be like them, or stay home. This will… Read more »
Stop blaming Ukraine and try to look at this situation from the other side. Comment of host Serhiy Prytula: “Stop telling that sports and music are out of politics! They are not out of politics, they are in the epicenter. And, damn it, it is really very important who represents the country in competitions. Despite the difference in thoughts among different people, we all, those who live in Ukraine, those who identify themselves as citizens of our country, we must have a common denominator on such issues as: who is Russia for us? Whose Crimea? What is going on in… Read more »
Yeah yeah, fire.. I mean… If it’s so clear that in Ukraine music isn’t away of politics just as you think then Ukraine should withdraw from Eurovision, a competition in which politics is banned. Please, close the door when you get out and don’t come back until you resolve your issues, guys.
so the politics is banned? so when will Azerbaijan vote for Armenia and vice versa.
Why was the innocent “We Don’t Wanna Put In” banned then?
Why was Yugoslavia banned from 1993 onwards?
And “Panagia mou, Panagia mou ” is still one of best Eurovision songs to this day and current Ukrainian situation isn’t much different from those days or Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict or Yugoslavia thing in the early 1990s.
Uhm… Yugoslavia stopped existing in 1992. Split into five countries – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. That may be the reason for them not participating later, I guess.
It’s funny that you talk about the exact 4 countries that are CONSTANTLY using Eurovision for their pathetic little political game (which everyone sees through btw, it’s not very subtle): Russia, Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan. They should all be banned IMO, and same for any other country that over-politicize the contest.
And Yugoslavia was never “banned”: the country split in 1993 and was immediately replaced in the contest by the newly formed Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia.
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia existed until 2003 (incl. Montenegro & Kosovo formally).
Yugoslavia was banned from participating in the Song Contest due to UN sanctions during the Yugoslav Wars.
“yeah yeah, fire”
I think I fell in love with you
OMG still defending?? You just look hilarious. That’s it
Send that tv host as representative, together with Jamala they can sing remix song ”Uncomfortable question”
Music is part of politics in Ukraine? Ok here’s the simple answer – don’t go to Eurovision! Have a nice day 🙂
Music is not just light entertainment, it’s part of politics everywhere. #MeToo was partly a political movement and “Toy” made a stance.
May I remind you that the whole 2019 Eurovision season started with Netanyahu’s political declarations to have Eurovision in Jerusalem at any cost. So music and Eurovision are in the whirlwirnd of politics, like it or not.
The chicken song was partially a political movement? Get real.
it was a bit of cheeky humour, just like “Lasha Tumbai/Russia, Goodbye!” controversy in Verka Serduchka ESC song.
Toy what? Toy banalized feminism with chickens.
MeToo is a social movement. Nothing to do with intergovernmental conflits. Here is art. 2.6 of the Eurovision rules guide. I started capitalizing all the passages about non-politicization but stopped because it’s repeated at practically every line : 2.6 Non-political event The ESC is a NON-POLITICAL EVENT. All Participating Broadcasters, including the Host Broadcaster, shall ensure that all necessary steps are undertaken within in their respective Delegations and teams in order to make sure that the ESC shall in NO CASE BE POLITICIZED and/or instrumentalized. All Participating Broadcasters, including the Host Broadcaster, shall ensure that no organization, institution, political cause… Read more »
My pleasure! 🙂
I suspect the use of the word “may” allows the EBU to weigh the matter and give themselves some leniency as to how to judge each situation. Imagine if they used the word “will” instead of “may” and a bunch of countries each broke that rule, although in a very minor or accidental way – a rule runs the risk of just folding the entire contest, but perhaps I’m reading too much into it.
Ivt, did you get your statement approved by the Ukrainian government before posting it?
ESCaddict, you are way too funny
The annoying thing is that Ukraine usually sends quality acts, and this year would’ve been no exception. The Eastern bloc isn’t always reliable for good (read: not overhyped to hell and back, cough Sergey cough) acts, but Ukraine is usually good at holding their own. But this year? This is a catastrophe. They need to get their priorities in order, whether that means getting Maruv back or taking an L just for this year. In any case, if they do compete without Maruv, it’d be hard to imagine them doing well. I was wondering what it’d take to end the… Read more »
Stop the press. The winner of 2019 (unless Iceland does the right thing)
2019 winner
You know it, man. Maybe they didn’t know, but now they know.
Serhat illuminati confirmed, lmao
Yes, so sad that a country, with such musical talent, can’t participate without government interference.
Norway, Ireland and San Marino? In every other year I would say meh. But this year it sounds really reasonable. *lol*
Cats don’t lie, dude. It’s science.
And Serhat’s chances just got one better!
So, if Bulgaria and Ukraine are out, that means for sure at least two countries will be in the final that weren’t last year. Probably more, but at least two.
The irony is that a lot of fans would have been happy if the national final result of some other countries was overturned (Germany, Romania, etc.).
That wouldn’t be for political reasons though….
But if the same thing happened to Freedom Jazz and Maruv would have been offered the ticket everyone would have been shouting “YAAASSS QUEEEN”
Is there any chance they will go back to Maruv after all these artists says no, with a better contract, or is that already to late?
Maruv pick Moldova. You just have to say one word.
There’s always Belarus.
They have 11 days to officially confirm their entry so its not too late. But it would be kind of awkard to approach MARUV again after all this drama.
At this point, no reasonable artist that value their career will accept to go. It is either to ask MARUV again or withdraw. And even if she gets asked again, I doubt if she will accept. That’s more of a matter of dignity
Khayat might accept it, since he was done wrong by the jury (2 pts), not the public (6 pts) in the semifinal.
No he won’t. MARUV r nobody
My hope is no one accepts and they finally ask Maruv again but give a reasonable contract.
I love the song of Maruv and i like her style. But how exactly you promote Ukraine with this style, english language, dance and half naked touching your penguin? jajajaja
Thumbs up if you think (like me) that Mihai have already sent letter to UA to ask representing Ukraine!!! jajajjaja
the thumbs up is for mihai not for maruv 😛
“But how exactly you promote Ukraine with this style, english language, dance and half naked”
I don’t know, but feel free to ask Ruslana, Svetlana Loboda or Mariya Yaremchuk. I’m sure their terrible ESC score is a testament to their regret of representing Ukraine in that style.
Loboda was a Eurovision underachiever, a hot mess. But what an accurate comparison to MARUV.
Ruslana was more a Xena Warrior than a sexy dancer.
Mariya Yaremchuk was nowhere near as provocative.
ruslana was aaaa looottt more ukrainian promoter … svetlana never told that i wanna promote ukraine… and mariya have never spoken generally 😛 i am sure that a lot of artists are not exactly promoters but is different to say it… 😛 you better keep the promotion feeling for yourself if you are about to touch your penguin on screen :PP just do it and promote yourself 😛 not a country dude 😛 jajajaja
Colin, you are spot on as usual.
Thanks, NickC. 😉
Ruslana had real fur on stage. If this is Ukrainian culture, you can keep it.
i want to makeclear that i Loooooove Maruv and her song… I am with her .. in her fight.. but come on people if you touch your penguin – dolly… you dont have to say that you wanna promote a country…… come ooonnn.. with these things you promote yourself. is not bad but just dont say to promote country by these body touchings 😛
Penguin?!!!
https://gph.is/2iCPo8z
Penguin???
jajajajjaa
I’m not voting in this poll just as I didn’t in the last one
No one should go this year, especially not one of the competitors at Vidbir 2019
Way to go Kazka 🙂 Good luck in the future!
Hats down to Kazka! I suspect BSB might turn them down too, for the sake of solidarity and public response. I guess that Yuko and Anna-Maria are already out of the question, so next ones would be Tsesho and Laud. However, the lower on the list we go, the bigger sense of undeserved victory for them it would be. Not to mention that nobody would sign that horrible contract. I just won’t be angry on any artist. Even if they accept the offer, it’s not their shame, it’s the broadcaster’s. But they have to know they’d be entering in controversial… Read more »
Ukraine has done it a few times already. Ani Lorak got snubbed in 2005 for Greenjolly, Vasyl Lazarovych was chosen internally in 2010, only later for the National Final to be called later (Alyosha won it, then had to send another song because of plagiarism), vote rigging allegations for Mika Newton in 2011 (when Jamala and Zlata Ognevich withdrawn from the run-off round that had been proposed by UA:PBC then) or the presumptive favourite SunSay getting destroyed by Ruslana in 2016 (1 jury point + a very personal attack/tirade to turn televoters off).
Very reliable broadcaster, it seems (detect irony).
all UA:PBC has to do is to call Ksenia Simonova and everyone magically forgets about all of their issues and watches magic sand art (detect irony or sarcasm)
I actually think Angel was one of the rare good songs in a rather weak year, but if she staged her victory, to heck with her too.
But yeah, Kseniya’s sand art was the true show-stopper.
I don’t think it was Mika personally, there is management to do that. Ksenia Simonova was called basically for the rescue, because the whole thing was falling apart, Mika didn’t even want to go to the ESC, then she was throwing tantrums and not wanting to sing “Angel”, calling it a “lame song”, but her management made her do it.
By the way, Zlata Ognevich was the NF fave back then.
Wow, what a drama! Mika did solid. I mean, Angel is not a masterpiece by any means, but it was frickin 2011. A solid 8/10 song with a breathtaking staging was a guaranteed top 10. Sorry to hear about the backstage. Glad Zlata got her time to shine!
Khayat should go instead, he was done wrong by the jury (only 2 points) and the broadcaster (his hologram effect went wrong and the screen went grey for few seconds) in his semifinal, despite the public voting for him to get to the final (6 points).
Mihai is ready to go, I guess.
At this point I have trouble imagining any artist accepting. Imagine being the back plan of a backup plan of a backup plan? Can’t be much of a confidence booster. And then to top it off, everyone will pretty much hate you from the start? Only someone who is truly desperate would accept at this point…
TseSho “Hate” is a brilliant way to troll those haters.
They should call in mihai xD
Any replacement act will be widely despised, both internally & externally.
So why wasn’t Alyosha despised since she replaced the UA:PBC initial choice, Vasyl Lazarovych? Everyone loved “Sweet People” at the end of the day.
They will find *someone*. Ultimately it’s fairly large country, someone will be willing to take it. But quality is questionable, especially when they only have~2 weeks to come up with a performance (IF they already have a song they could use).
If this fiasco ends up with Ukraine not qualifying for the first time, it will be quite a problem for someone.
Ukraine needs to withdraw, the broadcaster do not even deserves the 42nd place!
at least they tried the national final unlike those lame broadcasters that are too scared to do this (Russia 1)
Too many Russia 1 lovers I see, I remember the same people calling for a National Final and “will of the people” when Russia kept Yulia Samoylova for a second year. But now Russia has a beloved Sergey Lazarev and everything is fine. Double standards much.
Honestly if Ukraine chose internally, there wouldn’t have been so many backslashes…
And if Russia staged a national final, there would surely be many controversies judging by the way this Eurovision season is going.
Russia has had national finals 5 or 6 times and only one controversy – when Ukrainian act Anastasia Prikhodko was involved.
1994 – suspicious results of the vote, two entries got DQ right before the final
1996 – plagiarism in one of the NF entries
Not so much about Russian lovers, more about Russian haters
Not Russian, but Russia 1 the channel (that selects Sergey Lazarev). Russian people in general are alright.
Why are you Ukrainians so obsessed with Russia? Here nobody really cares about you country.
If I am not mistaken, when I heard Kazka’s song, there was some kind of eastern motives, but the Ukranian ones were only at the end of the song. However, great respect to this band. I think that no one will agree to participate after this mess. I am sure that during press-conference at least there will be “A very uncomfortable question to you. Who must represent actually in ESC from Ukraine, Maruv or?
“Maruv, of course”.
Jamala should go
I have some suggestions about where Jamala should go.
Send the Queen of hate Jamala to say “I’m going SOLO” Europe , Her New single
Wo Sind Die Katzen?
Delete this poll, an artist who has dignity will never go for them. On other news, I love kazka even more now. They made the right decision
Some artists have no sympathy for Maruv, trust me. Maruv got an amazing publicity, will keep touring Russia and her Warner Music Russia contract.
I think there are some Vidbir semifinalists that might accept the invitation.
Pavel, you are delusional
Don’t get me wrong, UA: PBC is fully to blame for not even trying to reach a compromise, MARUV and her management has a fine excuse for not signing it, but the real reason behind the whole debacle remains questionable.
So far I trust MARUV at her word, but I am a little bit suspicious. So if she keeps her word and stops touring Russia then she’s totally honest.
My answer to the poll is NO ONE
Maruv or NOBODY.
SunSay to make amends for his vidbir 2016 humiliation by Ruslana.
Send Tatyana maybe?
Ask TAYANNA!!!
PFFFFF…. AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…. UA:PBC you are ALONE
close the door when leaving 😉
I think there are Vidbir acts beyond finalists (semifinalists) who will agree in a heartbeat: Khayat, maybe Letay and Kira Mazur. Should pick TseSho with “Hate” anyway to troll all the haters hard.
Pavel, we are still waiting for the heartbeat……………… Pronounced dead.
UA: PBC has not contacted any of those yet.
Valentina Monetta
Yes please, our Queen!