Earlier this month Estonian broadcaster ERR published the full versions of this year’s entries, along with the lyrics and a video clip for each song. Many of the videos are looking mighty good. For example, Egert Milder’s “Georgia (On My Mind)” contains scenic vistas on the streets and in the mountains of the stunning Caucasus nation. But one particular scene has drawn more attention to this video than to others. On the version of the video on his YouTube channel, a girl is seen wearing a black shirt with the words: “20% of my country is occupied by Russia”.
The video for “Georgia (On My Mind)” displays the beauty of Georgia’s landscape paired with the beauty of its people. Somewhere in the middle of it all, a smiling young girl appears in front of a building. The shot is only a few seconds long but it contains a striking image. At least in the YouTube version.
The outline of the Georgian borders are printed on her shirt along with the text: “20% of my country is occupied by Russia”. An alternative outline in red is drawn, without the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia at the Russian border. Both territories are self-proclaimed sovereign states but internationally recognised as Georgian territory. Both are drawn out to reflect the aftermath of the Russo-Georgian War in 2008.
This political statement about Georgia and Russia could ruffle feathers, especially in Estonia. The Baltic country itself has a Russian minority of about 20%. The shirt on Egert’s YouTube channel differs from the one in the embedded video of ERR. The words are missing and only the outlines remain.
Did Egert Milder break any rules?
It’s important to note that each broadcaster is responsible for choosing a representative. Therefore, Eurovision’s restrictive rules about political comments do not apply automatically. A view inside the rulebook for Eesti Laul shows no specifications about videos. In general, no guidelines about political comments are made by ERR. Except for rule 2.1.4:
The song and its performance are in accordance with the law and/or good practice, and do not have a negative impact on the image of song contest or the Eurovision Song Contest.
This rule is phrased pretty vaguely and gives artists a degree of wiggle room. Also, it only applies to the performance and song, not the video. However, the official version is the video on the ERR website, where only the country outline is visible. The video on his YouTube channel is a variation of his entry with no official connection to Eesti Laul.
Egert Milder writes on his YouTube channel that the song is about his deep connection with Georgia, where he lived for three years. “I guess in a way it is a breakup song. There are moments in life where you know it’s time to move forward and let go.”
The rulebook indicates that he did not break any Eesti Laul rules with that sequence, even in the Youtube version. However, things would be different if Egert were to win at Eesti Laul. At Eurovision, stricter rules apply that forbid any political comments. If Egert represents Estonia at Eurovision, the statement would probably be removed from the video like ERR did in their version. This is similar to Robin Bengtsson dropping the f-bomb during “I Can’t Go On” in Melodifestivalen and changing the lyrics at Eurovision.
Not the first comment on “Russian occupation”
Egert Milder is not the first Eurovision-related artist to comment on the conflict. Earlier this year, Georgia’s 2015 artist Nina Sublatti revealed the true meaning of her song “Warrior”.
“Almost four years ago, I decided to use the biggest platform ever to express what I feel towards occupation of my beautiful country Georgia. Back then the theme of the Eurovision was Building Bridges. And while writing Warrior I thought to myself – how can we, Georgians build bridges to connect with the rest of the world while our neighbour Russia burns them all. Not only they burn our bridges but they burn us alive.”
This year’s artist, Oto Nemsadze, talked to us about occupation and the necessity to end wars. His own grandmother lives in South Ossetia and he is unable to visit her. And let’s not forget about “We Don’t Wanna Put In”, the disqualified Georgian song of 2009.
What do you think? Have you seen the message on the shirt? Tell us in the comments below!
READ MORE GEORGIA NEWS HERE!
Well, the Baltics have been at odds with Russia plenty of times (in Estonia there was the hacking of government websites in 2007, apparently by supporters of the Estonian Russian community with ties with the Kremlin) and I think one of the main reasons they joined NATO back in the day is because they were scared of Russian expansionism. And well, while it never happened quite in the Baltics we got Georgia happening in 2008 and Ukraine happening in 2014 so maybe they were not that far-off in being concerned.
Reminds me of Tamara’s (Georgia 2017) national final performance She has had on the LED some newspaper with an headline about the war and Russia These topics are important, definitely, but why involve politics with Eurovision? More than there already is 🙁 I’m not picking a side here, I know nothing about this war and who’s right there, all I know is that Eurovision is one platform to come together, even of your “enemy” country is there For example, I’m Israeli I encourage artists to go to Eurovision and I will support whoever my hear find the best, even if… Read more »
The Baltic countries and Georgia have all seemed to be getting closer to each other these last few years, and it’s really nice to see. Georgia is a beautiful country that doesn’t deserve the suffering it’s had under Russian occupation.
The shirt didn’t lie.
Here in the Baltic states we will always stand in solidarity with our friends in Georgia <3
Nice for him to have media coverage since he will never ever make it to Eurovision with that song.
Whatever the political situation , (and i have many sympathies for the situation in Georgia) it should not detract from the quality of this song…… It seems to have slipped in many people’s opinions since all the songs for Eesti Laul were released but not in mine. This is my clear winner. An instant hook (hear twice and you’re singing along), great “George Ezra vibe” vocals and even an “audience clap along” section in the last chorus. Estonia would be a certain qualifier if this gets picked and dare i say, top 10 material in Rotterdam. Bravo Egert Milder and… Read more »
egert milder is WOKE
That’s pretty bold, and while he’s not Georgian, I think those in the Baltics are concerned about Russian expansionism under Putin.