Maruv won Vidbir 2019 — Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision. But she won’t be going to Tel Aviv. And neither will Freedom Jazz, the vocal trio which finished second in the contest.
On Tuesday evening, they published a statement to their Instagram account. It thanked fans for their support throughout Vidbir, and hinted at a possible return in the future. However, the group will not be replacing Maruv at Eurovision.
They received a call from the Ukrainian broadcaster NTU and politely declined. Without providing any reasons for their decision, the message concludes with a promise of more to come from the “Cupidon” singers.
Freedom Jazz — Eurovision 2019 statement
“Dear friends!
Thank you for your support, love, excitement and for the fact that all this time you have been with us! We are very happy that you helped us take the 2nd place in the national selection of Eurovision-2019! Our main victory is YOU! We are experimenting for you, writing songs, doing incredible productions and doing art. Maybe we will try our hand at national selection once again in the future…
But we have just received a call from NTU and want to inform that we are refusing to participate in the Eurovision-2019.
But still our “Cupidon” flies on.
Now we are at the stage of signing a contract with the European promoter and are negotiating concert tours for the near future.
Therefore!
We are waiting for you at our concerts!
Love to all!”
As you’re well aware at this point, MARUV won Ukraine’s Eurovision 2019 selection Vidbir and, in theory, should have been the country’s candidate for Eurovision. But, owing to some last-minute changes and some ridiculously onerous rules from the broadcaster, she’s out. She simply wanted to sing. The broadcaster wanted her to deploy its political slogans and essential become a part of their propaganda machine. NTU’s private broadcast partner STB has responded with a lengthy statement, which makes it clear they do not support the misuse of Vidbir and the contest’s winner.
What do you think of Freedom Jazz’ decision? Should the remaining Vidbir acts follow suit? Let us know in the comments.
Ukraine will not go to Eurovision. Say thanks to EBU, which was silent, and to the Ukrainian authorities.
Hvala ne!
KAZKA rejected the offer as well.
Kazka officially declined as well 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYQ2DsBN5Y/
“But we do not need a win at any price. Our mission is to unite people with our music, not to sow discord.”
Good decision! Obviously a lot of artists want to be at Eurovision but it’s good to see artists putting integrity first and showing solidarity with a fellow performer.
🙁
Jamala has become the most hated Eurovision winner.
and everyone immidiately forgot what happened in Romania with “the will of the people”
Smart move. Now I hope Ukraine gets alot of negative responses that they have no choice but to withdraw and pay a fine and don’t participate next year. They truly deserve this. I’m sorry for the Ukrainian people.
Not a fan of “The Siren Song” but what happened to MARUV was terrible and hopeless. Why did they organize this televised final in the first place?!
Oh and good for Freedom Jazz for withdrawing themselves from this controversy as fast as posssible. They’re very talented and I hope they’ll somehow find their way to ESC stage.
I know that participating in Eurovision is a great chance for artists to promote their music, so someone will probably agree to represent Ukraine despite the controversy but I think artists should boycott Ukrainian broadcaster. What they did is not fair.
Well, it’s a complicated issue. O.Torvald and Melovin had no problems being Ukrainian ambassadors and explicitly stating their views on Crimea, Russia and Donbass problems. Those views severed their ties with Russia and made them unable to tour Russia, and since Maruv is managed by Warner Music Russia her management just needed to find a good excuse. Probably Maruv just wasn’t ready to go all-in with anti-Russia sentiment (like Azerbaijan and Armenia representatives do concerning Karabakh issue every year without any EBU action). Improvisation and creative freedom is restricted by EBU themselves, so this is a basic part of the… Read more »
This year there’s like a competition who has the best drama. Italy had a huge scandal with its results and then Romania beat Italy, and Ukraine beat Romania. Who’s next? I’m scared.
France had some drama too!
Iceland if Hatari wins and then gets disqualified by the EBU
Also Australia
Will they send Taydramma?
I mean TAYDRAMMA ofc
Hey do you know what would be great, if Ukraine withdrew and Kazakhstan became a guest country.
Just a theory…
Not the first time Ukraine does it (2005 with Ani Lorak last minute snub, 2009 with the Prykhodko controversy, 2010 with Vasyl Lazarovych internal selection changed for a National Final suddenly, 2011 with the alleged vote rigging and Zlata Ognevich + Jamala withdrawing from the run-off).
Maruv decided not to sign the contract herself, finding a reasonable excuse not to go full anti-Russia for the next 3 months (like Jamala in 2016, O.Torvald in 2017 and Melovin last year). UA:PBC scored an own goal for not being transparent and not willing to compromise.
Kudos to them 🙂 I hope nobody agrees!
Can anyone shine some light on why this has suddenly become an issue THIS year? There have always been connections between Ukrainian artists and Russia, why the sudden scrutiny now?
My theory is that it was a pretense to kick Maruv out. I don’t think they ever wanted Maruv I’m the first place.
There is a presidential election happening next month in Ukraine, so political tensions are higher than usual due to the Russophile vs Ukrainian nationalist candidates.
That could explain it. Political elections can bring out the worst in people
Exactly, this whole mess reminds me of Brexit. This is all so unesscescary. As an Eurovision fan I’m dissapointed the only exciting act to make it through the national finals has quit.
Concerts in Russia always had negative impact on artist career in Ukraine, don’t fantasize about your stupid theories connected to MARUV!
yeah, but her management did find a good excuse not to sign a contract. Warner Music Russia would have annulled her contract if MARUV had agreed to UA:PBC terms (since it has similar implications Azerbaijan/Armenian acts have in terms of their relationship).
UA:PBC should have found a way to compromise, ever if it meant Maruv would have performed in Russia, Maruv won Vidbir fair and square, so it was their loss.
Today, the first snippets from Belgium’s song came out (on RTBF during an add) !!!
The snippet of Belgium’s song was out…That doesn’t sound promising to me.
https://twitter.com/Harkinson/status/1100479287478665216
Hmm, yeah I’m also kinda underwhelmed… On the other hand it’s just a snippet but I still don’t have high expectations.
I think it does sounds promising. It will be this years winner
Bravo for their decision. Now let’s hope the rest of Ukrainian artists keep this integrity and refuse to represent Ukraine this year
I would rather have TseSho with “Hate”. Seems really prophetic and appopriate for Ukraine relationship with Russia, politics and Eurovision. Plus we need some edgy and non-conformist hipsters since the whole line-up is so bland at this point.
It’s basically KAZKA or withdraw now. I hope KAZKA goes (they probably won’t though let’s be real, they will get so much hate if they accept) because they do have a good song (and we need those, this year is terrible). Yes, the broadcaster is trash, MARUV was my #1 but I’m still gonna support Ukraine if they choose KAZKA
I’d totally get you if you support KAZKA, because they are great. I just wouldn’t support that darn broadcaster. If KAZKA gets picked, it means they accepted to be their puppets. That would be the sad part.
True I am feeling perplexed about it. If KAZKA accepts it, of course it will be great to see them in Tel Aviv. But the pressure they get from audience and the ridiculous political commitment attached by NTU. That’s too much for them?
Best hope for Kazka is to turn it down and try again another year. At least they will keep their integrity as artists and earn the respect for a successive national competition.
Some of Ukrainian acts have zero respects for the artists touring Russia, because it’s an Armenia-Azerbaijan like situation these days. Takes time.
I would rather have TseSho with “Hate”. Totally appropriate for Ukraine relationship with Russia, politics and Eurovision.
Valentina Monetta has no connection with Russia, she is the one!
Serhat and Valentina in the same contest would be too much for my heart to take
Best! or the vice prime minister himself, In think he is a promising candidate?
also I think Kaia Tamm can go
Maruv or nobody.
Wait so what would happen if everyone declined?
hopefully they would get the f out of the competition because ebu hasnt done anything
Well done, girls! No artist with good principles would be willing to replace Maruv under such circumstances. It’s crazy what is happening with Ukraine this year.
Smart decision.. Noone should accept or they will receive all hate around for Ukraine
Mihai or Daz Sampson would go in a heartbeat. Or that old dude from Eurofest.
KINKY BOOTS!
Massive respect for MARUV for not conforming with what they wanted her to be and being true to herself. I’m sad I won’t be seeing her in eurovision this year but she’s gained a lot of fans and her artistic and personal integrity are more important
EBU restricts any improvisation by any act, it’s not just UA:PBC agreement, the same artistic implications.
The only difference is the Russia stance and pre-moderated interviews (the same that Azerbaijan/Armenian acts do).
Just send Ruslana,Jamala, Verka, or some ultra nationalist that the broadcaster loves. No wonder Ani Lorak and Loboda were totally ignored in Eurovision 2017.
Verka will be in the interval act anyway.
they might as well withdraw at this point….. whoever goes will be stigmatized bc of the trash behavior of the broadcaster
Right, the participation is like a hot potato. I already feel sorry for whoever agrees, the hate is gonna be massive. Well, for Tsesho it would be pretty ironic.
They should send TseSho with “Hate” to troll the haters instead.
Okay it’s just a publicitity campaign for Ukraine and Maruv..
G you think? *eyeroll*
no, but this situation can’t get more absurd
Someone said they‘ll choose Tayanna in the end i-
On one hand, there goes another great song. On the other, hats down for their integrity.
Like, Alex is a nice guy with great voice, but it would a bit random choice, and with a broadcaster that wants the singer to represent all Ukrainians, Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian views, selecting Belgian would be a bit like a middle finger for MARUV.
Now that changes the perspective. But still, I don’t think it would be the best idea. But thank you for the information, do you know why did they asked him exactly? Does he have any connection with Ukraine?
I think in the end they will send Jamala.
Oh my God I cannot imagine anything more appalling at this point. It would instantly render it the worst Eurovision ever, although hopefully she’d be booed and come last in the semi *cackles*
Jamala is… Ukraine??
I’m sure about that. She presented that song in the right moment and it’s in English! XD Perfect for ESC.
English is Ukraine?
She would be a fool to go. Does she really wants to be booed in TAV ? And beaten this time by Serguey.
btw i’m tired of these countries playing nationalism and sending english songs…
Well, we would already know the first question at the press conference.
As I notice that she sits in every damn jury there and acts like a entitled goddess, maybe that’s what she wants actually lmao
i feel disgusted by just thinking about it. I wish if she goes that no one attends her press conferences
Good on them. Hopefully absolutely no-one will be shameless and desperate enough to agree to take part after what they did to MARUV.
send jamala, she will be smashed by lazarev as a revenge for 2016 😀
I have so much respect for them.
Maybe they can ask Mihai
Or Markus Riva 😀
Markus is apparently a bigger star in Russia then he is in Latvia. Not a chance. Mihai… possibly, but I suspect even he has higher standards.
how about Daz Sampson and Kinky boots
Or Raiven, Andras Kallay-Saunders, and those Melodifestivalen artists with multiple comeback
Great act of solidarity. Well done freedom jazz. It is either Maruv or nothing. #JUSTICE4MARUV
Good for them, they are very talented and I respect them with all my soul. In quality of voices/performance/etc, they deserved to win, but Maruv’s song was more charismatic. I hope to see them again in the future!
I’m sure Kazka will reject the offer too. They are not dumb.
With Eurovision or not, Kazka will tour Tel Aviv on April anyway
Source: https://kazka.band/en/concerts-en/
Who is going to accept? You need to be really dumb to represent Ukraine right now under those circumstances. Crazy contract + insane amount of critiques during months. Whoever decides to represent Ukraine will lose a lot and win almost nothing. The only option Ukraine has right now is Maruv with a fair contract, not the ridiculous thing she had before.
its such a shame as Ukraine always produces a raft of amazing diverse songs to please just about anyone. Was Ruslana ever this vile when she was on panel , i can’t remember. Perhaps that is why her vodka consumption was so high during vidbir.
The rest of the finalists (or all the participants) should send a letter to UA:PBC rejecting any invitation to represent the country this year.
They should just withdraw
Does Freedom have a few Russian concerts up or performed in Russia in the past?
Yessss
That could be a factor why they declined. Maruv got hammered over it, and UA:PBC would look like hypocrites for sending Freedom Jazz despite their Russian schedule. It kinda goes with my theory that the broadcaster had it out for Maruv. Good on Freedom Jazz for declining. I wouldn’t want to be the act booed on stage or eliminated in the semi final because they’re not Maruv.
Oh well, send KAZKA but it’s rather risky because of their live performance.
The performance is not that good but don’t forget KAZKA’s Apart was the second favourite song from Ukraine this year by Eurofans and not to mention they have a strong fanbase all over Europe (Not just in Ukraine), so the staging will have that backup during the contest…
I actually don’t find their live performance bad, I actually really like it
Good! I would have loved to see them at Eurovision, but not under these circumstances of course. Love them and “Cupidon”, they have a new fan now <3
I wonder if they’ll ask the act who sang “Hate”. ?
I guess so, if Kazka, BSB, Yuko and Anna-Maria also decline signing that dreadful contract.
They will not send Anna Maria or Yuko because of similar problem like Maruv had ( Russia)
They will make them change the lyrics.
“Hate – Russia, Hate – Putin”
What about
Hate! NTU
Hate! Jamala???
Hahaha, well, they actually say “I hate everything”! 😉
Ukraine, send Julia Samoylova please!
she should be jailed once she appears on our territory
Lucky for her, Eurovision 2019 is in Tel Aviv. She can sing for Ukraine from there.
Unless UA:PBC brings MARUV back with better working conditions and a non-respective contract, they’re still at fault. And, look at that, nobody wants to represent the Ukraine anymore…
I wonder why?
Maruv or nobody.
I think the broadcaster is in a difficult position as well. UA:PBC don’t have a lot of money, they need funding from the government. As we all know, the Ukrainian election is near. Politicans want to seize this opportunity to show their patriotism to gain votes. And the public broadcaster just don’t have a say, if they want to survive.
Amm as I know Vidbir is financed by STB, not by government
Use your brain smh. Vidbir is only 9hrs of TV a year that is funded by stb. Every other show that ua:PBC has to broadcast including news and paying for the right to even broadcast in the first place comes out of their pockets not stb.
Legit went and downloaded their song. I liked Cupidon already but the fact that they showed such integrity makes me want to follow their career and other possible music they might release.