Belarus have kept their cards close to their chest throughout much of this Eurovision season, revealing very little about who would represent them at the contest in Rotterdam this May. However, broadcaster BTRC has now confirmed that Galasy ZMesta will sing “Ya Nauchu Tebya” (I’ll Teach You) at Eurovision 2021.
In addition to the announcement, the song has been released at the same time.
Galasy ZMesta – “Ya nauchu tebya” (I’ll Teach You) [Eurovision 2021 – Belarus]
Who are Galasy ZMesta?
Galasy ZMesta, meaning “the voices of the town” or “voices of reason” in Belarusian, is a fairly unknown Belarusian rock group from Baranovichi. It’s a five-piece group made out of Dmitry Batukov, Evgeny Kardash, Maksim Ponomarenko, Evgeny Artyukh and Irina Sorgovitskaya. The five met in their home town, where one half were working as musicians and the other half were performing in a local KVN team.
During the Belarusian pro-democracy protests that started in 2020, they openly criticised the protestors. On their official site, they write:
“Dear friends! When “under a sauce” “political battles” try to break the country we love and in which we are living, we cannot stay indifferent…”
Belarus’ Eurovision 2021 journey
In September 2020, BTRC confirmed that the country’s Eurovision 2020 act VAL would not be re-selected for 2021 despite the cancellation of last year’s contest. The duo had criticised the broadcaster, in response to which BTRC claimed that VAL had “no conscience”.
The Eastern European country started the search for its Eurovision 2021 song back in December. Between 1 and 31 January, artists could send in an entry to state broadcaster BTRC.
In the first week of February, BTRC news programme Panorama announced that the broadcaster had received “около полусотни” — meaning “around half a hundred” — entries. Since then, any public updates have been lacking.
In its selection’s regulations, the broadcaster had written that it would decide by 1 March at the latest whether to hold a national selection or not. However, as 1 March went by, BTRC kept silent.
Following Poland’s announcement that it would reveal it’s Eurovision 2021 act and song on 12 March, Belarus became the only participating country who were yet to announce details about selecting its entry.
But now with the announcement of Galasy ZMesta, Belarus has found its entry.
Who sent in a bid for Eurovision 2021?
Of the “around half a hundred” bids, around thirty artists have publicly revealed their candidature for the contest. An official list of all participants was never published.
Belarusian media, including news portal TUT.by and newspaper Komsomolksaya Pravda, earlier could confirm via their sources that Eurovision 2019 alumna ZENA was among the entries.
Alongside this, it confirmed that the runners-up from last year’s selection, CHAKRAS, had also sent in a bid.
Several Belarusian national final frequents, including NAPOLI, refused to submit an entry as a result of the current local situation. From last year’s selection, Sasha Zakharik and Darya Hmelnitskaya confirmed that they also did not enter a song.
What do you think about Galasy ZMesta representing Belarus at Eurovision 2021? Did this reveal come as a surprise to you? Let us know in the comments down below!
We should keep Belarus in, just so then we don’t have to worry about any of the other songs getting last place overall.
Eurovision is not political contest…. yeah yeah
If there is audience in the arena, expect them to be booed.
sad. simply sad. Val deserved to go. this band is letting themselves be used by some dictator. I hope they change the lyrics or something this can’t be allowed.
*Sees almost 600 comments*
*Grabs popcorn*
A terrible song with terrible lyrics and even more terrible subtext. I hope they will be removed from the competition. Belarusians, you deserve respect, at least, and this application is just a spit in the soul. ???? ????????!
Main Polish eurovision website released a statement today that due to the band’s political affiliations and breaking the rules of ESC they refuse to post about Belarusian entry this year.
That’s interesting, do you have the link? I would like to read more about that.
Edit: I’m asking because I can’t find their website
This is the statement put through the Google translator: ‘The Belarusian public broadcaster, BTRC television, announced on March 9 that Galasa ZMesta would represent Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song I Teach Tiebia (I’ll Teach You). The group presents on its website that it performs songs that respond to contemporary topics. The band’s repertoire includes, among others works criticizing the protests in which Belarusian citizens have participated en masse since August. These are the result of the presidential elections in August, including manipulation of the results by the authorities. In their Eurovision proposal, the group sings:… Read more »
Thank you Benny!
Happy to help.
Seriously though….what is up with the former Soviet states? The drama in Eurovision is ALWAYS coming from that region.
If its not Russia making a fuss, it’s Ukraine causing political stirs. If its not them then Armenia & Azerbaijan are turning their backs on one another. And now Belarus decide to play up.
The EBU really need to man up and have words and/or take action. All the drama totally ruins the very nature of the competition
all these problems have roots in Russia
I make you a 100% right , that region has ruined Eurovision I am afraid to say ….
this is a rather simplistic look on a region with a history of totalitarianism and violence. Sadly, politics and societies in the countries have not yet settled down to become the cosy, well-run and open societies most of us Western Europeans live in. And yes that reflects in Eurovision, just like it does in every other aspect of life there.
Where was this cancelling energy when el diablo came out which send anti-christian references?
Personally I do think both songs should be banned but I just find it interesting sectarianism is okay but being homphobic gets -12 points
-Just to be clear i think both songs should be banned for their political message
Do you think that “Amen” and “Amen” should be banned too?
Lmao, actually yes, both songs can’t have the same name, right? At least change their names…c’mon.
Change Slovenia’s name to “Hallelujah” 😉
“I love El Diablo” isn’t saying that she worships the devil. Elena is comparing her abusive partner to the devil and how she isn’t able to leave him. I hope this helped. I’m a Christian btw, so I’d be the last person to support satanic music. I do think that it’s easy to misunderstand, but before complaining about something, I’d say do some more research beforehand. 🙂
I rather fail to see any political message in the Cypriot entry
Hahaha, if they are so confident, why don’t they translate it to a language that the majority of the audience can understand? This is as if I delivered my political message in Klingonian.
All the more respect to VAL and Naviband! Nil points for Belarus
If this song participates can we just all put off the TV for three minutes when it’s their turn. And it’s their turn, not Belarus one because these people are not Belarus
Is this not what China got banned for? They didn’t show Ireland’s song in 2018 with two men dancing?
Where was this cancelling energy when el diablo came out which send anti-christian imagery?
Personally I do think both songs should be banned but I just find it interesting sectarianism is okay but being homphobic gets -12 points
-Just to be clear i think both songs should be banned for their political message
There is a difference between viewers coordinating not to watch a particular entry vs a broadcaster censoring an entry at the behest of the government. Eurovision rules do not forbid viewers from not watching an entry in the form of protest (this is a form of freedom of speech.) The only time this would be in violation is if the government told citizens not to watch a performance. The Eurovision rules do forbid all broadcasters (participating & non-participating) from censoring the program in any way. Also I’m American and I found “El Diablo” rather tame when compared to some of… Read more »
China broke the contract of the EBU. China, like Belarus, is a dictatorship. I mean Belarus’ song is kinda creepy tbh.
I don’t see how El Diablo is Christian… .
I think you misunderstood the lyrics to El Diablo
Does the ebu NOT translate song lyrics or something? How in the hell….
They most likely have translated the lyrics, however they are wage enough to slip through the rule cracks. Belarus can be like: “ You think that dancing to the tune is about obeying? Well, that’s like just your opinion. it’s about literally teaching someone how to dance.” And so on.
We know what the song is really about. They know what the song is really about. But we can’t prove it and Belarusian delegation is laughing in our faces.
We dont want to Put In was too much and it was just the refrain who was political…
The dictator (with the small d) spit in our face
Minus 12 points from me
In the end, the propaganda act was chosen. I mean, it was crystal clear since the announcement of the internal selection and the removal of the live auditions, but even now, having heard the song and the entire profile and portfolio of this so-called “group”, it still manages to disgust in the most horrid way there is and in levels no one thought you could reach at Eurovision.
Nothing else to declare, apart from Long Live Belarus, obviously!
I literally cringed so hard listening to this, and the English lyrics made it worse. I think the EBU should take action and kick Belarus out or have the song replaced.
EBU rules are like cooking contest, they keep changing flavors in favor with their taste. I really don’t know when or how a song becomes political anymore because EBU is a two sided coin without a dignity in strictly implementing their competition rules.Example – Belarus 2011 (change the song as it was performed prior plus removed USSR in lyrics; Verka Lasha Tumbai obvious tease “Russia Goodbye”: Georgia 2009 withdraws as it’s obvious anti Putin; Jamala singing are true incident in 1944: damn it EBU are you’re rules only a joke?
One of three things can happen here. 1. The band are asked to submit another song that is not so obvioulsly inflammatory, and comply. 2. They are asked but refuse to submit another song, and Belarus pulls out of EV 2021 or are disqualified. 3. They are permitted to sing this song and get away with it.
I feel that if the EBU has any cahoonas at all, they will DQ this entry. There have been political songs before (Montenegro 2012, Ukraine 2016, Georgia 2019) and they have all been fine with me, but this one needs to go.
Double standarts.
Political songs were even Kaiti Garbi’s song for Greece in 1993 and Yanna Terzi’s one in 2018. But the difference of those opposing to Belarus 2021 is that the Greek songs were political towards Greece, or ctiticising their current situation (what Kaiti Garbi did) or about the patriotism Yanna wanted to deliver to Greek viewers. These types of songs are pretty much ok, and there’s no problem that they refer to something political, but entries like the Belarussian one should be immidiately banned and Belarus to be fined and banned for at least one year (I hope though until Lukashenko’s… Read more »
And Armenia 2015 and Portugal 2011.
So Belarus wants to be the novelty act of the year. They’re not even trying that’s just sad..
I have been a fan of Eurovision since 2000 when I was 3 and I was never so disappointed!!! it’s disgraceful that they are letting this propaganda song from Belarus participate in Eurovision. such a hateful and political song. I loved the competition from a young age and I was so pleased that it had nothing to do about politics. I think they are gonna lose many devoted fans like me If they let this participate. Such a same. A pure and happy event turned into a political one.
And I thought Alabama Watchdog would be the most controversial music act this season.
Ignoring the politics, this is still a horrible song. And then the political lyrics make this 1000 times worse
I bet the “Braids” cultural appropriation thingy doesn’t look so bad now, right?
Well if Georgia was disqualified in 2009 for being anti-Putin then this should be disqualified for being pro-Lukashjenko!
That or change song! Cause the song is, even without controversy, just a bad outdated song!
EBU’s double standards. Putin is offended, so we can apply political rules to small Georgia. Whole people of Belarus are offended, protesters and victims of regime are mocked, who cares. Let’s post it on official Eurovision channel.
Very word-heavy. Even if it makes it to the Eurovision stage, it isn’t big enough to make an impact, it’s monotonous and a bit too simple.
Well, my russian is not perfect, but this is what I got: the lyrics, if you write down, are not provokative. BUT if you listen to the song then you get the whole picture! They sing ironicly about NEXTA (independent oppositioners media), Tichanovskaya etc. Their messege is: yeah, right, they promise you a lot, they will teach you, nice life but with bank credits etc. No wonder, they are Dictators faws IMHO
and if you look at their discography – it`s so clear against why and pro they are!
and – basicaly they spit in Europes face!
who
Instead of 400 comments saying “omg the lyrics” if someone could actually post the lyrics, that would be really helpful, thanks
I tried pasting a link under your comment but it’s waiting for approval. There’s a translation on Genius under the official 2021 album
Well, my russian is not perfect, but this is what I got: the lyrics, if you write down, are not provokative. BUT if you listen to the song then you get the whole picture! They sing ironicly about NEXTA (independent oppositioners media), Tichanovskaya etc. Their messege is: yeah, right, they promise you a lot, they will teach you, nice life but with bank credits etc. No wonder, they are Dictators faws IMHO
If this song doesn’t get taken down, the singers are VERY lucky that they will be singing with a reduced audience… and even then I “worry” for them. They are going to get destroyed out there…
These people are awful. They support fascism and violence against peaceful protests in Belarus. In their songs they laugh at european democracy values. They said that they doubt Belarus as an independent country. In one of their songs called ‘Eurodream’ they joking about European openness and tolerance by singing – “they (read Europeans) want equality and brotherhood, and express their will everywhere, in a quivering impulse of tolerance to put on girl’s dress on a boy”. The song they choose for Eurovision has political message. The phrase from their Eurovision song “I’ll teach you how to dance to my pipe… Read more »
That’s so messed up.
Yesterday a man was murdered in Belgium because of his sexual orientation. This has shocked all of Belgium. That this can still happen in the 21st century, makes me angry and very sad. Is it so hard to respect and to accept each other for who are? To the LGTB community, all my love and support! Same to the people of Belarus!
frustrating news for sure. still … i don’t understand how that relates to lukashenko’s propaganda disowning the overwhelming majority of belarusians?
The band made also made a song against the acceptance of the LGBT+ community in Europe.
In reply to you and nycforever. Because of what Brötchen and Joe said. I did some digging.
Horrible news, indeed. but how is it connected to the discussion of belarussian entry.
Because homophobia
Hopefully there will be some audience allowed in Rotterdam; if I’m lucky enough to be there, I will be waving the white-red-white flag during this performance.
How an earth this isn’t by far last in the odds really beats me!
That will happen very soon
call me picky, but … while i don’t like to see lukashenko’s pals right here go to rotterdam, i’d love to see lukashenko himself in den haag (the hague).
You know what i’m very curious if the russian and azerbaijani juries will award any points to this.
Rather infamously, back in 2013, Belarus protested the new voting system because it meant Russia didn’t give them any points. I’m almost positive that wasn’t because the televote weighed it down. (Same deal with Azerbaijan not voting for Russia – remember when that happened? And it was the juries that did it? Seems so long ago.)
Will be very interesting!
Okay. I think I’ve overdone it. I’d better shut up for a couple of days. Stay safe everyone!
GET RID OF IT!!! And not only for musical REASONS!
They are clever. A political song but so subtle it can be perfectly hidden so the EBU can do nothing about it.I’m so sorry about Belarus. They went from Naviband to this.
Yes, I see nothing in lyrics strictly political tbh, it’s subtle. Especially viewers don’t know Russian.. the other thing are their statements outside, but can you punish someone for that, I mean freedom of speech? Hatari also had political statements regarding Palestine.
Still I don’t know why they do this and what they want to prove, I think it’s unnecessary and stupid.
And for Russian-speaking people, this is not subtle at all, everything is extremely clear and open. But, unfortunately, I do not know how to translate this into English(
459 comments and counting.
If this makes it to Rotterdam, please don’t let anyone stop the stage invader.
PEOPLE CMOON!!! IT’S NOT ABOUT HOW BAD THE SONG IS MUSICALLY! IT IS THE SPIT TO THE WHOLE BELARUSSIAN PEOPLE!!! OMG! I am so sorry for them! EBU must ban this song which is 100% political. Disgusting! Poor Belarussians! They do not deserve it! Have someone read the lyrics? Does Eurovision channel have conscience after they posted this on their YouTube channel? I have no words. If EBU allows it on Eurovision stage further, then they have to explain it to people offended by the song. DISGUSTING! P.S. These group also has other song that is directly mocking Tikhanovskaya and… Read more »
I am a Belarusian. And it really hurts me a lot. I cried when the video was released on the official channel( It would seem that we are already used to the crazy antics of the insane dictator Lukashenko, but every time he breaks a new bottom. Thank you for your understanding. I do not know English (I write through a Google translator), but I want someone to convey to Europe the full scale of the disaster. This group should never, under any circumstances, be allowed to participate.
I showed it to my stoner friend. He freaked out because he said he didn’t smoke anything today but he’s tripping.
Funniest comment so far!
coming to think of it … it took a couple of days back then, before ‘we don’t wanna put in’ was officially disqualified. and honestly, i think i prefer it that way.
the ebu might still disqualify this propaganda garbage. but at least now we know how little sense of shame lukashenko and btrc have got left and how far they are willing to go to abuse the belarusian people even on a psychological level.
Can’t Armenia come back and replace Belarus this is a snooze fest, well at least Denmark and Estonia won’t be last now
EBU need to investigate this song. There is an overwhelming message of fascism and pro-Government propaganda. Highlighted more by the bright red background, symbolizing the Red Army. Belarus ought to be disqualified and suspended from participation until the political situation and agenda are stabilized under human rights.
We didn’t this song! This is a mockery of the Belarusian people! Disqualify!!!!
This is more embarrassing than Kate Gosselin on Dancing With The Stars.
This year Eurovision is like roller coaster with so much different kinds of songs and scandals lmao
This is more disturbing than David Hasselhoff in speedo.
People go to prison for not paying TV licence but the writers of this walk free?