It’s the once triumphant national selection that descended into farce in 2019. But despite much speculation regarding its future, Vidbir 2020 will happen.
Vidbir 2020 Rule Change
Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC and private network STB published the rules for next year’s national selection earlier today, Wednesday 16 October. The three-show series will kick off with two semis on 8 and 15 February, followed by a 22 February grand final.
But nestled in between a five-section rule book is a change that’s certain to raise eyebrows.
Entrants must not have performed in the territory of the Russian Federation since 2014. They also can’t have entered Crimea “in violation of the legislation of Ukraine”. Furthermore, they cannot have plans to do either during the competition or Eurovision.
The aftermath of Maruv
This rule change comes in the wake of the chaotic Vidbir 2019, which saw the winner Maruv withdraw due to a breakdown in contract negotiations. Much of the disagreement related to the singer’s close ties to Russia.
These links came centre stage when Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala pointed a finger at the “Siren Song” singer and asked her an “uncomfortable question” on the issue.
Ukraine and Russia have been at war since 2014 when the latter illegally annexed the Crimean peninsula.
Maruv’s withdrawal triggered a spectacular chain of events which resulted in the second and third place acts, Freedom Jazz and Kazka, also turning down the offer to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv. The country called it quits before fourth-place finishers Brunettes Shoot Blondes had the opportunity to say no.
Regarding the rule on Russia, the writing has been on the wall for some time. One of the many fallouts from the whole 2019 fiasco was a strongly worded statement from the private broadcaster STB. Since 2016, it has organised the Vidbir selection process on UA:PBC’s behalf. Despite the statement, which made it clear that STB did not support the misuse of Vidbir and MARUV, UA:PBC wanted to continue the partnership.
At the time, the broadcaster said “We take the blame for the situation with the Eurovision and want to launch a public dialogue.” The network vowed to seek a broad discussion on the rules and regulations regarding royalties and artists touring Russia — two of the big issues in the breakdown of MARUV’s contract negotiations.
What do you think of the new rule? Is it a step too far or is it necessary? Let us know in the comments.
I respect Ukraine and sad about the hostility that they received from Russia in terms of Crimea ,but I think when they try to politicise a song competition that is suppose to promote unity, it looks rather childish and immature. Don’t fight fire with fire but show the oppressor that you are better than them by showing compassion. Artist are not the ones commanding armies they are just bringing entertainment beyond the border.
Check the facts before using fake info like this. my country isn’t at war with anyone.
As for the rule – very good. Maybe now it willl finally be about music not russophobia.
Syria, Abkhazia, Transnistria, Donbass. Hell, russia is even still in war with Japan. russia is state that has most amount of wars ongoing in current world… And all those wars were them invaiding somebody.
Transnistria, wtf???
I was their when Moldovien troops were killing my city (Bender in Transnistria) and it was like this for more then 2 month!!!! We had to runaway !!! And Russian army saved us! Saved our people, saved my house, saved multiple lives. It took them 3 days. And since then we live in peace. So, please, do not include Transnistria to your list!
Attaching geopolitical terms to a musical competition shows how toxic atmosphere will be – the same as this year. Ukraine used to be one of my favorite Eurovision countries and they have given us awesome entries (2006, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2018), but now their selection is so politicized and toxic that has become unbearable.
Ukraine was once my favorite country in eurovision they brought quality to the table but i feel the quality changed into drama
Ukraine should be banned. Eurovision is not about politics!
Agree with this. Ukraine can’t have a representative who makes money performing for a country that’s killing Ukrainians.
From 2014 till 2019 Ukraine had a President who made (and is now continuing making) money on secret arms deals with and on manufacturing confectionary in the contry that was and is killing Ukrainians
Maybe MARUV should represent again in the 2020 edition.
Burning in the flame, wanna know my secret…..BANG!
Many Ukrainian artists need the Russian music industry so they can establish their careers. This is absolutely ridiculous.
Shouldn’t they just internally select until this all dies down a bit?
Yesssss Svetlana Loboda i am readyyyy
I’m so over this!!!!
I completely understand and agree that Ukraine should have a contestant represent them, who has not performed, nor is associated, with a country that incited war, and is currently in conflict, with them. However, by staging a national final, and putting forward these rules publicly, it further politicizes the contest, and takes away from the European unity that Eurovision is supposed to foster. Like many commenters have stated below, an internal selection would have been the ideal solution. It would allow the Ukrainian broadcaster to select someone who they deem is a suitable representative, without the need for saying out… Read more »
In my opinion, on the contrary, this new rule will remove politics from Vidbir. There will be no more questions of judges about the political preferences of the participants, no questions about the violation of the laws by the participants. Only music will remain.
As for the internal selection – for me, Vidbir is a great opportunity to find new interesting musicians, sometimes it’s even more interesting than Eurovision itself. So I would rather see an interesting Vidbir, even if Ukraine will not be very successful at Eurovision.
Excuse me , but I don understand your indignation. 1. This is our national selection in which only we can set the rules. 2. Russia occupied part of the territory of my country and unleashed a war. 3. The Russian army destroyed my house and killed my brother. And we believe that artists who perform in a killer country should not represent our country.
My opinion, thanks
Who said that we are indigned? Ukraine did everything right.
I can understand why they do this. Eurovision can never be excluded from politics since it’s a competion among nations. When you represent your country, it’s already politics and politics is always around us.
“Russia and Ukraine have been at ear since 2014” – this is definitely not true.
Still expecting Kazka or Freedom Jazz to go to Eurovision (Did they break the rule?)
KAZKA is still eligible, but Freedom Jazz isn’t
Pretty sure whoever won this selection gonna get bamboozled again.
Again ? By who? Maruv still adored by many of Ukranians and most of euro fans, not me, after she showed her true colours, she definitely not a victim…. ugh!
True colors as in daring to have honest opinions?
No, to think she was the best of all artists ESC 2019
Did she actually say that? Because obviously, Kate Miller-Heidke was the best.
Nina Sublatti can have another shot at Eurovision representing Ukraine. LOL
That ban would cover many established artists that, in some shape or form, have been to Russia, since it has the largest music industry in the former USSR. Hitting it big there opens doors to other Russophone countries and other places with significant Russian-speaking communities.
Just a thought though: I would assume that both countries have a closed-border policy to stop citizens of the other from crossing since 2014. Then why would artists from Ukraine continue to go there and work? Likewise in the case of Sergey Lazarev who was a coach in The Voice in Ukraine that year?
Because Russia’s EBU-affiliated broadcasters do not have that kind of power to invade another country.
I can’t help but point it out: The picture of Jamala pointing at Maruv is so accurate: Like an evil witch trying to shame and punish a young woman for having fun. Both of their facial expressions are perfect.
Yeah, ‘evil witch’ who lost her homeland for good (as others 2 millions people in Crimea) becouse of Russian anexsia , ‘evil witch’ whose folks been killed and tourted by Stalin ( and mow Putin doing the same with others tatars in Crimea) and ‘young woman’ who never give a sh*t about ESC, Ukraine or killed people in war but only care about Russian bloody money and cheap fame
Oh come on ! We all know that Jamala has nothing to do with Maruv not going to Eurovision, and to be honest after Maruv’ interview that wiwi posted few months ago here, it was clear she never had intentions to go to ESC.
I found her attitude very arrogant and narcistic ( she said she would win ESC) , and i’ll never forgive her to call ‘Arcade’ an average song and understate Hatari, uhh!
Oh, and I suppose Maruv’s (to my mind completely true) comment about “Arcade” now all of a sudden justifies Jamala’s heinousness towards her? Now you come on. And for the record, let me show my true colors: I don’t even care about Maruv, never liked her average song at all, but found her performance well-orchestrated. Still, I was not bothered the song didn’t go to Eurovision. BUT the reason why was and still is bothersome. Yes, Maruv is not a victim anymore and this whole ruckus probably even helped her but whatever Maruv said afterwards, the witch made her a… Read more »
I was talking about Maruv’ arrogant attitude during interview not during Vidbir, and if you know the backstage of the question you wouldn’t call her witch, people remembered only this line from Jamala because it been said in English, most of people missed the context of it cos they dont know Ukranian or Russian languages
So everyone who doesn’t praise “Arcade” is arrogant? In that case, count me in.
Couldn’t agree more!!!
your analyses are always so accurates yet locals don’t understand them n downvote smh
Exactly
Eurovision bringing nations closer together, and building bridges… not.
In theory. In practice its like classroom where groups of kids who not necessary like each other are “forced” by teacher to get along.
It isn’t the first, nor will it be the last. I love how people are immediatelly jumping to protect Ukraine (which is faulty in this rule change) against Russia in their land theft while pretty much everybody is on board with Kosovo competing. Double standards. Cha-cha real smooth
Maybe because its Russia who started war and stole Crimea from Ukraine and not the other way around, huh?
Can they just withdraw again? This is outrageous! Disgusting behaviour from Ukrainian broadcaster. Ukrainian singers that have any decency will refuse to compete in Vidbir 2020. Ukraine is the bad one in this Vidbir rule situation, but people simply refuse to see it.
Ukrainian singers that have any decency alredy refused… to do concerts in Russia after anexsia and war started in 2014
I don’t see Serbia banning its artists to enter Kosovo or Albania, I don’t see Georgia banning its citizens to enter Abkhazia or South Ossetia, nor do I see Armenia and Azerbaijan banning artists to enter one another’s country. What are we talking about here again?
´´nor do I see Armenia and Azerbaijan banning artists to enter one another´s country´´ Are you drunk? They most certainly do.
Ukraine does not ban artists to visit any country in the world, do not talk nonsense. There is only a requirement for a representative in a particular competition.
KOSOVO FOR ESC 2021!!!
Something tells me that things between Russia and Ukraine are not getting any better and if this has anything to do with it then it’s gonna get worse.
ukrainian and russian music industries go hand in hand. it’s inevitable for an estabilished ukrainian act to have toured in russia. it’ll be a bunch of amateurs, get ready for a malta eurovision song contest tea. this is good news for belarus though, many ukrainians will try out there!
You spreading the lies, not first time though, there are tons of professional and very famous artists who stopped do concerts in Russia since 2014,
But the question is are they willing to do eurovision?
we’ll see lmao if it turns out to be as many of us suspect don’t come back cryin
What about the judges? All of them had concerts in Russia after 2014.
Now that’s what I call unconfortable question
Not judges will represent country on international arena.
But how can they judge someone for something they do themself?
Why you so surprised? After FIFA allowed World Cup in Russia last year, i dont have any faith in official institutions, they corrupted to the bottom
I’m afraid you are right …..
Even European Heads of State attended the World Cup, I remember Emmanuel Macron dancing away at the Moscow final. They obviously don’t care, they’ve moved on. Sad!
So this means the broadcasters will no longer interrogate the participants live? The rules are already laid out and spread through news articles like this so there is no need for the panelists to humiliate them, right?
At least the rules are explicit this time. The rules are a nuisance but I can see why they are there.
Look, I am partly Russian and first of all, I am 100% against the war and any war in general and all of its ideas. Second of all, this shouldn’t stop people who want to do something don’t have the freedom to do it because of political tension. Third of all, Ukraine would just be better off with an internal selection of some sort. This is just my opinion.
The new rules are understandable for me in current situtation,
but i agree they should do internal selection to avoid he tension
ESC always been political, funny how people still refuse to see it lol
And forever will be political, but its nice to see all the countries coming together..and singing about peace …
Such useless rules deserve a NQ !
But then they might have a song to save them !
What Jamala did to Maruv was one of the most disgusting moments on live television.
It has only begun and I am already tired of it. Why ban the people who want to compete and will happily comply with the rules just because of their performance history?
it not about performance history for god sake! it about respect to your own country who has CURRENT WAR with Russia, why its so hard to understand? If artist dont respect Ukraine and want make money in Russia who killing your people every day why he/she/they would want to represent us in Eurovision then?
Good question!
If you dont have respect to own country so you dont have rights to represent it.
Because you’ve had artists who gave Ukraine several pretty good results in Eurovision and have worked in Russia as well in the past despite their animosity.
it was before Russian aggression, situation was completely different
What if artists do respect Ukraine, but still want some more money and therefore give more concerts in Russia? 🙂
Logic dictates that these are two mutually exclusive activities.
The issue has nothing to do with “respect of your own country”. The idea of introducing all those restrictions comes from Ukraine’s former president Poroshenko and his people who enriched themselves personally on the war with Russia and the secret armes deals. And, as regards Ukraine’s artists, none of them has performed for the Russian government. They performed for the people of Russia, earned money in Russia (exactly like former president Poroshenko with his Russian confectioneries) and paid taxes in Ukraine
I think Ukraine would be better off with an internal selection
i would love it, at least while we have war with Russia it would be wise decision, to avoid any dramas
Is it correct that they can not have entered Crimea? Or do you mean entered it through Russia?
it says ‘only entered it through Russia’
I’m of two minds. On the one hand, it seems a bit harsh to set those kinds of restrictions, especially when you consider how many Ukrainian Eurovision acts in the past have performed in Russia or collaborated with Russian artists (off the top of my head: Tina Karol, Gaitana, Verka Serduchka, and perhaps most obviously Ani Lorak and Svetlana Loboda) wouldn’t be able to compete now. A cultural dialogue seems more productive than cutting all those artists off, regardless on their current stances regarding Russia and Ukraine. (I say this, of course, as someone not from either country who can’t… Read more »
(I say “most obviously” as Ani Lorak’s song was co-written by Philipp Kirkorov and Svetlana outright competed at the 2009 contest in Moscow.)
They are only banned if they continued doing so after 2014, though.
Ah, understood. So that still nixes Ani Lorak, I think.
How very kind. Thank you, dear regime.
it saying since 2014 not ever!
And almost all of our artists refused to do concerts in Russia after 2014 Russian aggression of their own sincere FREE WILL !
No one been forced to stop make money in Russia for god sake….
I’m not saying generally. By all means, Ukrainian artists can come in and out of Russia and vice versa as they please if they aren’t interested in doing Eurovision. But UA:PBC is strictly preventing them from competing here.
yes, so you have to choice what is more important to you then, most of our artists made up their minds in 2014,
war is very cruel and hard time for any country , especially if you been attacked by near neighbors, this time requires to make hard decisions…
Ukraine’s former President Petro Poroshenko (2014-2019) owns at least two big confectioneries and other businesses in Russia, which stopped their activity just for a short period of time and resumed it after he left his position. Besides, he is involved in numerous arms sales scandals with Russia and is still at large and even not on trial yet. Exactly at the time when his crimes were made public, his former Deputy Premier Kyrylenko forced the Vidbir 2019 organizers after Maruv’s win to change the contract forn Ukraine’s participation en EU in a way that actually made her participation impossible. Note… Read more »
Eliminate drama? Well, it’s home-made drama and honestly, I feel like the EBU should even forbid such a discriminatory and obviously political rule in national finals. It’s perfectly fine (I would even say right) to have a rule that states only citizens can represent a country, but this rule means the broadcaster is discriminatory of some of their very own people for nothing but political reasons.
All true points. On the whole, I just wish STB could be a public broadcaster so UA:PBC doesn’t enforce these draconian limits on them, but them going public would make them cave to political pressure in the same way, so it’s a bit of a no-win kind of situation.
And at least one Turkish Cypriot has competed in a Cypriot national final. Just saying.
The weak point in your conclusions is that it is not UA:PBC dictates its political will, this is a response to public demand. If you think that people, many of whom lost relatives and friends during the war, will allow their country to be represented by an artist who collaborates with the aggressor, you are mistaken.
I’m with you in this one, it eliminates the possibility of more drama, at least on paper, but it doesn’t help to alleviate the ongoing tension between both countries and some of the ‘Russia Influence Area’, who are also traditionally Ukraine voters, might withhold voting for her and suffer the consequences in the result (at least jury-vote speaking, we do know how Belarus is). And if you ask me, Maruv and Hatari cancelling each other on the Kinky Queer-Erotic vote and blocking them from make it through is a good theory, Who you think would have made it apart from… Read more »
Either one of them, probably. Poland finished relatively close in the qualifying range with the juries and would’ve qualified with the televote alone, so you might be right there. (In a perfect world, Poland, Portugal, and San Marino could’ve all qualified. For all my vocal love of Serhat, I was quite bummed that it was at Poland’s expense.)
I think this went a bit far. It’s like… I don’t know, but it’s like if person from Slovakia couldnt compete because they had concert in Czech Republic, when these countries were from 1918 to 1993 one?
we have CURRENT WAR with Russia not in the past, see the difference?
That’s not a fair comparison. As far as Ukraine is concerned, Crimea is still a part of their territory and the Russians are an occupying force.
That’s not the appropriate analogy- the velvet divorce between the Czech Republic and Slovakia was quite amicable.
I’m from the Czech Republic and we are friends with Slovakia
Yes its true, Czech rep and Slovakia are friends and forewer will be, you can’t compare situation with Ukraine and Russia
Have you probably meant Armenia and Azerbaijan? There has been no war between Slovalia and the Czech Republic
I just read the headline. If true, it tells me everything I need to know. This broadcaster should never be allowed to host Eurovision ever again. Disgusting. Maruv really dodged a bullet. Nobody in their right mind should want to compete under the yoke of this heinous institution.
the headline is wrong
How, exactly?
Asking an Ukrainian artist to ignore the Russian market, is like asking an Irish artist to ignore UK, an Austrian to ignore Germany, a Sammarinese to ignore Italy. This is stupid, because the bigger markets mean more exposure and money. This purity test by Vidbir will not bode well for Ukraine’s success going forward in Eurovision. Only amateurs would enter.
Most of our artists dont do concerts in Russia NOT because they were asked, they just stopped it since 2014 because they think its wrong to make money in country who killing your people/
they choose Ukraine over Russian money thats all, and it has NOTHING to do with Eurovision participation
How about Jamala?
Yes, Jamala, Danylko (Serduchka) and Filatov have performed in Russia since 2014 and Jamala’s parents live in the occupied Crimea
Where did you read about asking artists to ignore Russian market?
You can make money in Russia for 24/7 but why then you expect to represent your country on international arena ? Country who has war with Russia for six year, with millions migrants and thousands killed people by Russian bullets, isn’t hypocrisy?
Just for the record: how many of the vidbir 2019 contestants would be banned with the current rules? Atleast everybody from last years top 3. I think this could be the year of the first ukrainian non qualification..
No one would be banned from last edition (expect Maruv), major of our artist dont do concerts in Russia since 2014
Don’t worry we have enough amazing artists who love and respect Eurovision and Ukraine more than Russian money
Didn’t freedom jazz have a dinner show in moscow?
Do you have a link? as i remember they said they didn’t have any public performance since 2014 in Russia
As i know no one, only Maruv, all of the most famouse artists in Ukraine dont go to Russia with concerts since 2014
At least 2/3 of the Vidbir 2019 finalists and 100% of the jury members have performed in Russia since 2014
Excuse me, but what Tasha is saying is a deliberate lie. First of all, all of the jury members, including Jamala, have performed in Russia since 2014. Maruv has performed mostly in Russia and keeps on doing it. Anna Maria participated in The NewWave festival in Sochi, Russia, a couple of months ago. The female singer of the duo Yuko is a Russian national and they both have performed in both countries. What you are saying about Freedom Jazz is true, they have performed in Russia too. About Brunettes Shoot Blondes I am just not sure. So the only finalist… Read more »
Absolutely right decision on Ukraine’ part, they must did it much earlier to avoid all this mess with Maruv who never give a sh*t about Eurovision anyway
Give Queen Tayanna finally :))
Maruv actually participated in 2016. She cares smh
Ukraine should be banned for doing that. Every artist should have a right to represent their country.
If artists dont respect own country they dont have rights to represent us/
Im glad they did it
For what? they dont break any EBU rules with this new edition, its up to them how to do NS
Well, this comments section is going to be fun! I’m sure of it. XD/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8687957/tenor.gif)