The EBU has confirmed that Belarus will not take part at Eurovision 2021.
After their original entry was found to be in breach of rules, the EBU asked broadcaster BTRC and Galasy ZMesta to adjust it or submit a new song. But their new entry was also found to be in breach of the rules, resulting in the disqualification of Belarus at Eurovision 2021.
EBU statement: Belarus disqualified from Eurovision 2021
Galasy ZMesta’s new song “Pesnyu pro zaytsa (Song about a bunny)” was found to be in breach of official Eurovision rules. The EBU published the statement today on the Eurovision.tv website.
“On Wednesday 10 March we wrote to the broadcaster BTRC, which is responsible for Belarus’ entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, to request that they take all steps necessary to amend their entry to this year’s event to ensure it is compliant with the rules of the competition.
Following this BTRC submitted a new song, by the same artists, within an agreed timeframe.
The EBU and the Reference Group, the Contest’s governing board, carefully scrutinised the new entry to assess its eligibility to compete.
It was concluded that the new submission was also in breach of the rules of the competition that ensure the Contest is not instrumentalised or brought into disrepute.
As BTRC have failed to submit an eligible entry within the extended deadline, regrettably, Belarus will not be participating in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest in May.”
With this, the official number of participants at Eurovision 2021 has lowered to 39. In semi-final one, where Galasy ZMesta were scheduled to perform, only 16 countries will compete for qualification.
Statement from the @EBU_HQ regarding Belarus and the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.https://t.co/qvmyjxqAq4 pic.twitter.com/2Au8HKb1Ad
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) March 26, 2021
Why were Galasy ZMesta disqualified from Eurovision?
The EBU did not disclose the exact nature of the rule breach. However, it is suggested that “Pesnyu pro zaytsa (Song about a bunny)” contains homophobic language and political connotations in its lyrics. “Bunny” is a homophobic slur sometimes used against gay men. With this, the song is in breach of of Eurovision rule 2.7(i):
“The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows, the ESC as such or the EBU into disrepute. No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political, commercial or similar nature shall be permitted during the ESC. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs.”
Earlier this month, the EBU deemed Galasy ZMesta’s original song also to be in breach of this rule. In the EBU’s original statement, they claimed “Ya nauchu tebya (I’ll teach you)” “puts the non-political nature of the Contest in question”.
The exact reason for this is related to the ongoing political situation in Belarus, which started in 2020 when pro-democracy protests erupted across the country following the re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko. These elections have been widely condemned by the international community, including by the European Union. Fans also showed disapproval of Galasy ZMesta and their song after discovering the band’s history of transphobia and misogyny within their songs.
The EBU wrote to Belarusian broadcaster BTRC, asking for a new song. “We’ve requested that they take all necessary steps to submit a modified version, or a new song, that is compliant with the ESC rules”, they said. “Failure to do so could result in disqualification from this year’s Contest.” However, Galasy ZMesta’s new submission was also found to be inappropriate for Eurovision.
This marks the first Eurovision disqualification since Romania’s Ovidiu Anton was forced to withdraw “Moment of Silence” following financial issues with national broadcaster TVR owing debt to the EBU. Previously, Georgia’s Stefane & 3G were also disqualified from Eurovision in 2009 for the political nature of their song “We Don’t Wanna Put In” — a double entendre jab at Vladimir Putin, president of host country Russia.
Read more Belarus Eurovision 2021 news here
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Ok, guys, here’s my translation of the lyrics (it’s not official but pretty accurate, I think). If there’s any Russian speaker, please suggest your corrections. I took Russian lyrics from there: https://www.nakanune.ru/news/2021/03/27/22598241/ A hare was crossing the field, singing his little song, Tree tops were swaying in the wind airily. His mood was OK, he had no stress, But he was sank into a reverie and he fell into a foxhole. Oh, little leveret, you are still too young, You can’t see any hidden pitfalls yet. Oh, little leveret, it’s a trap with intrigue, Your song is nice, but you’re… Read more »
If anyone wonders what the song sounds like: https://youtu.be/TtbcXxN03Aw
This channel seems to delete every single comment. Don’t press the dislike (or like) button because YT’s algorithm thinks that it’s an indication of video’s popularity and a good reason to suggest the video for other users.
P.S. Chicks are scurrying (running chaotically), not “currying”, sorry.
First thanks Kpow for his/her/their effort. I’ve seen worse lyrics in a Eurovision song, so I suppose we can only hope that someone from the EBU (or possibly Belarus) can explain exactly which line (s) caused the problem and why.
Well, the song uses Aesopian language and some obvious animalistic metaphors to mock and criticize the EBU and ESC. The “innocent” hare/bunny is the band itself (Galasy Zmesta), the fox is EBU (they “ate” the hare = banned their previous song), other ESC participants are just an “animal farm”, mindless chicks and piglets who “don’t understand anything and know nothing about real music” but want to be “eaten first” by people (viewers and voters). This song is not political but makes fun of the whole Eurovision thing. No wonder why EBU has banned them, I completely understand and support that… Read more »
Thanks, GZ have achieved absolutely nothing. I do feel sorry for the Belarusian acts we’ve all enjoyed in the past, and their fans. Meanwhile, here’s more ammunition for those complain that the contest is too political.
Sounds menacing, and still very much like a political warning. Animal Field, rather than Animal Farm.
What an embarrassment. Why can’t certain countries just play it the correct way and put forward a song/artist without creating a mockery of the very nature of the competition? It’s always the same pattern/region where this behaviour seems to stem from. Yes, I understand that there is a deep history rooted behind all the drama between specific countries, but the competition is not the place to air it publicly. Deal with it like adult’s behind closed doors. Without doing so, it becomes a smear, and it jeopardises the hard work and funding put in by people who work tirelessly to… Read more »
The logo should look like this now:
so they were going to sing about bunnies? What?????
They had a contract with Playboy LOL
Let them compete. Europe will decide, if they like them or not. Not EBU. They will be one of the most interesting acts and everyone wants to see their result.
So we reward an act for flouting the rules by letting them compete?! Great idea! Why not just abolish all the rules which were put in place for a fair competition and just let everyone compete with songs that promote hatred/bigotry/racism/homophobia/delete as required! Youre a genius boy!!
I’m surprised that many of us here didn’t see the lyrics of the song at all and we still feel entitled to discuss its disqualification. Isn’t ANYBODY here interested in actual lyrics?
If a fox trap was used, then that’s not an accidental death, it’s vulpicide. I think we should see all the lyrics before we can decide.
Yep. I’m not a native English speaker so I may have used the wrong word. I meant that fox was so blinded by the fact she caught the hare that she didn’t see a snare trap under her feet. It definitely sounds like an implicit threat to EBU. I’m going to translate lyrics now, I will post them here later.
Now, after this well deserved dq, the EBU should try its best to bring back Armenia, Slovakia, Bosnia, Andorra or Luxembourg for 2022 or finally let Kazakhstan or Liechtenstein enter. 39 isn’t exactly a perfect number to justify two semifinals.
Armenia will probably come back for 2022 anyway, probably Montenegro. Slovakia should be the EBU’s main focus for recruiting back to ESC given Czechia’s recent success, and Kazakhstan as well due to JESC
Slovakia has no money to spend on ESC (remember how Romania was once kicked out because they didn’t have enough money) and Kazakhstan is 5-6 hours ahead of Central European time (which does not guarantee high TV ratings and paid SMS mobile voting, it’s not Australia 2.0). EBU is not interested in their participation. No one seriously cares about JESC (competing countries are even allowed to vote for themselves), that’s why Kazakhstan (and Wales) are allowed to take a part in it.
I think aside from financial reasons Slovakia lost already their passion for ESC, every year they state a low viewers ratings about Eurovision so it would be difficult to convince them to return. Even Czech Republic and Slovakia are neighbors and brothers they are seems at both opposite of a coin, Czech doing good while Slovakia lost already their interest in thh contest 🙁
Unless Azerbaijan wins and you know Armenia won’t step foot there (remember what happened last decade–wow, it has been 10 years since Azerbaijan won).
stop comparing belarussian provocations to other entries. This is a whole new level! Not comparable to ANYTHING in the past.
it‘s not about being political alone: it‘s about a country that misuses the contest to spit in the face of his own oppressed people!
It‘s also about a country that tries to mock western democracies through the conteat by breaching their openness and tolerance beyond all limits. we cannot habe this let happen
no get that in your heads and stop talking nonsense!
Very good! Killer regimes dont belong in ESC
Certainly not fox-killing ones
I don’t know why their entry was disqualified first place…we heard political lyrics in eurovision many times before..take ukrain 2016 for example. It was named 1945 refering the their history of violence with lyrics such as when strangers are coming they come to your house they kill you all and say we’re not guilty not guilty….this even won eurovision, was it not political..italian entry this year including swearing words allowed to change some of the words why is Belarus not given a chance to pick another song..why neighbourly voting such as 12 points exchange tolerated that we all know and… Read more »
Did you even read the article? They were literally given a chance to pick a different song, but they picked an other one with a political message.
Did you even read the lyrics? Or just the article?
EBU doesn’t disqualify countries for no reason. Russia and Ukraine had a difficult political situation in 2014, yet they weren’t disqualified from the contest. Also, if you take a look at the discography of the band, you can find interesting lyrics, to say the least, and it is difficult to give them benefit of the doubt based on this. If the primary goal of EBU was to disqualify them, they would have as soon as Ya Nauchu Tebya was submitted. Instead, we saw that they were given a second chance, even the deadline was extended for them.
1945 is literally about history.
So that makes it non-political and eligible for ESC? If somebody writes about a totally unacceptable topic (e.g. glorifying domestic abuse or racism), but set in 1910, should the historic distance make the song any less problematic? “1944” was a direct jab at another participating country and should never have been allowed (not that I am a big fan of either Russia or Ukraine, I’m stating my opinion which would be the same in case of any other country submitting such a song).
That’s nonsense. 1944 had no political lyrics whatsoever. That was her family’s story in that song, end of. The Russians wouldn’t have found it provocative if they weren’t trying to do exactly what the USSR did 60 years too late.
“Tatars are Muslims and because of that even nowadays they don’t allow their women to have basic human rights”
Thought you’d just finish off at that pseudohistorical rant but.. yikes
In the matter of fact USSR crashed in 1991 and have never participated in Eurovision. If Russia equals itself to USSR then it is Russia’s problem.
Russia doesn’t equal itself to USSR but it has inherited its national debt, diplomatic ties, geographic borders (RSFSR) and political responsibilities. Don’t forget that Russia isn’t equal to the current Russian government. Italians are not responsible for Mussolini, Spaniards are not defined by Franco’s politics, ex-Yugoslavs are not successors of Tito. 146 millions Russians are not Putins.
Btw, USSR has planned to debut in ESC in 1987 during the Perestroika with a weird guy named Valery Leontiev: https://youtu.be/YSpOSoObaZI
It’s “1944”.
Great when people write long posts without even getting the easiest facts straight. LOL
Ukrain had a political song 2016. But that was ok. Im so happy that Belatus not gonna be in ESC this year.
Quod licet Iovi , non licet bovi.
What
So they really did submit another song – that the only surprizing thing about this whole mess.
Homophobic slur?? In eurovision??
And then they wonder why the second song was banned!!!
I don’t think they really care. It was an ultimate troll move, just like Georgia’s 2009 “We don’t wanna Putin”. At this point I just wish that Lukashenka and his militarized “oprichnina” suddenly dissolve and disappear.
If they truly don’t care then they clearly have no respect for the origins of the competition and what it actually stands for. Maybe they should completely withdraw entirely.
Don’t equalize simple Belarusians and Lukashenka’s brainwashing regime. I’m not Belarusian but I support their fight for freedom. I want BTRC to cease to exist. There’s a lot of talented and capable people and companies in Belarus to handle international affairs and public broadcasting.
Now that Belarus is gone Russia and Ukraine’s chances of making the grand final are effectively dead
I mean, Azerbaijan is a pretty reliable source of points for them….and the songs are just different from their usual repertoire, but not bad in terms of quality. I’d be hesitant to claim either are going to not qualify given their track records.
It’s not the televote era anymore.
Ukraine and Belarus are not friends, even closer to the enemies
It’s true that Ukraine can’t rely on traditional voting patters with Poland, Moldova, Georgia, Latvia and Czechia all in the second semi and both Belarus and Armenia gone (although these are only reliable in televote). Bit still, it has historically been receiving high points from Azerbaijan (very reliable), Israel and Lithuania.
Similar patterns excluding Poland and Italy can be applied to Russia. Moreover, Ukraine and Russia have consistently exchanged televote in every edition to day.
So, they definitely won’t “sail” through easily but it’s not “dead” either. I think there’s sizable audience for ethnic sound in ESC.
Good god ! You will not be missed !
A lot of countries in ESC were under dictatorships when they took part.
Great work
Were you guys given access to the lyrics? You add into the article that a “bunny” is a homophobic slur but that is added on your part and not issued in the direct quotations from the EBU, nor did they themselves say that the song was homophobic.
I have no doubt that the song was worthy of disqualification based on their first submission but can you be clear whether it was for politically-motivated or homophobic lyrics? “Suggested” doesn’t really help if it’s only being suggested by the article writer.
You get an upvote from me because I’m a Doctor Who Fan.
Any othe DW fans here? It’s my favorite TV show.
His eyebrows are retreating. 🙂
I miss Peter Capaldi as The Doctor.
Matt Smith ♡
David Tennant is my Doctor. Wouldn’t it be interesting if there a story where the doctor and companion travel to an earlier contest?
You clearly don’t get why Eurovision was formed. It was created to unite the continent based on music, looking past our differences in everyday life in order to support a united and peaceful Europe.
Yeap Eurovision was designed for that, but nobody really cares what’s is going on in every single country in Europe. In case of Galasy ZMesta Belarusians are the one who raised concerns about the song being not even just political, but mocking in a very bad way Belarusians. The song that should work to unite countries is actually designed to make angry one particular nation whithin it’s own country can not perform on Eurovision stage. Non of the non-russian speakers would ever understand the lyrics (and that’s why EBU had published the song on it’s channel) and they were judging… Read more »
fair, but only along with Russia, which has even worse dictatorship, and killed much more people in and outside of Russia,and their government fully supports and sponsoring Lukashenko’ regime, who wouldn’t exists without Putin
agree, otherwise it would be hypocritical, DQ both dictatorship countries or let them participate with no political entries
So it’s not ok to send a song that may be construed to have implied political message but it’s perfectly fine to send an artist who is openly calling for an entire race to be destroyed. So much for equal application of your own rules, EBU.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not complaining about Belarus. I think any country who doesn’t have freedom of press SHOULD not participate in Eurovision…
Eurovision is apolitical. It’s only when a participanting “song” is offensive where the ebu takes action. Mata Hari is in no way a politically driven song.
The song is not political but the artist is violating EBU’s own rule on respect for member broadcasters. Also, kudos for knowing which artist I was talking about without me even saying it.
You have to love that two different dictatorships caused two withdrawals this year. It’s cool that Belarus is out because of their own dictator, but totally not cool that a foreign county’s dictator causes the withdrawal of a peaceful democracy.
I literally couldn’t possibly agree with Ron any more. Perhaps it is time for the EBU to review their membership guidelines.
Call me old-fashioned, but it is possible that calling for genocide may be worse (or at least on par) with homophobia. Smash the dislike button!
I highly doubt “apolitical” EBU is in any rush to disqualify Azerbaijan. They had the opportunity in 2009 then again in 2013 but didn’t do anything other than impose “undisclosed fine” which we all know what that means…
That seems reasonable, but I think you capitalized the wrong word…
Good thing I didn’t miss the “not”…then I would be in real trouble haha.
Tell that to Azeris and Turks
To them, they might as well be a different species.
I should have been more clear *ethnic group.
Ok, I understand you now. I haven’t seen personally Efendi’s nationalist agenda posts praising genocide, but since everyone is talking about it I just have to accept it. As Russian I’m deeply worried about Azeri?Armenian conflict and I do acknowledge the role of Russian official foreign policy regarding this subject. Putin and his close people definitely have some profit from Nagorno-Karabakh war. It really upsets me personally. But! I have to point out that 1) not everyone in Russia is brainwashed by Putin’s regime; 2) Russia HAS some kind of freedom of speech. Yes, it’s not as pronounced and absolutized… Read more »
Good riddance. Eurovision has no need for pro-Lukashenko propaganda
I guess it won’t make much difference as won’t be able to travel to Eurovision this year. But I was looking forward to being part of an almighty BOOING crowd when Belarus took to the stage.
Booing not only makes the audience look bad, but it strengthens the resolve of people like Galasy ZMesta that they are right in the first place. Best to just not applaud at all. That would send a real statement.
I see what your saying. I’m not sure no one clapping would be noticed at all on the live broadcast though.
I’m angry. Really. While Belarus (broadcaster) and their representative seem to be mocking and scoffing on all of us, countries such as Kazakhstan (who are enthusiasm-laden to join ESC) are given the cold shoulder.
Kazakhstan has participated in JESC though. So that’s not really a cold shoulder
I mean it in ESC terms. We already know Kazakhstan’s outstanding results in JESC.
Would love to see new countries in ESC.
Its a specific problem, dont blame all the people in Belarus for that…
I think they’re talking about the band, not the Belarussian people, the majority of which have been fighting against Lukashenko.
Yeah you are Probably right
This is so awful, I don’t have words shame on Belarus…
EBU should have Naviband or similar enter representing ‘Independent/Free Artists’ so we can show our support for those fighting for democracy and freedom in Belarus.
At least they should invited them as guests to perform. With other past artists. That would be a nice gesture.
Well, we all knew it wasn’t a matter of if but when Belarus would be disqualified. I knew that band was going to try to compose another politically laced song, but this time the EBU actually caught it before it could be released, so bye bye Belarus. Actions have consequences.
Oh, snap! Russia is gonna miss their usual 12 points, guaranteed from Armenia, and now Belarus…. Both were in the 1st semifinal, Moldova and Azerbaijan are in the 2nd semifinal, things don’t look very promising for Mother Russia’s chance for qualification….
armenia was in the second semi. azerbaijan is in the first semi. anyways stream russian woman-
Clearly, not only do you not know which countries are in which semi, you also didn’t follow the voting pattern of the last few years. Armenian juries haven’t given much points to Russia entries in the last 4-5 years. In 2020 and 2016 Lazrev only got 2 points…
Sorry to say, but no one got any points in 2020
Unfortunately, this was the logical outcome. BTRC and Galasy Zmesta never intended to send a song with an actual shot at competing. They wanted to poke how much provocation can they do before being disqualified and now they have their answer. While I am not happy that another country is out of the contest and ironically speaking, I am not happy I won’t be able to give a 0/10 after a decade, this is what had to be done. This is a loud message from the EBU that totalitarianism and hate speech aren’t allowed on ESC. This will hopefully be… Read more »
I wish VAL and NAVIBAND could compete somehow, but it’s really complicated. At least we have more room for Kazakhstan and others without overcrowding the contest, if Belarus don’t return soon.
Enough problems with Belarus without the likes of Kazakhstan
I’m not one of those people who say “belarus shouldn’t return until lukachenko resigns”. I’m all for the contest to be apolitical. However, this time around, belarus chose to send a blatant propaganda song, and deserved not to participate. I really wouldn’t have had a problem at all with putting them at number one if they’d sent Zena with a banger. This time, they chose against doing that, belarus should learn from their mistake and return to Eurovision soon. After all, their music scene is amazing.
Good news.
Sorry for the Belarusian fans though. I wish better tomorrows for you guys.
Are we not allowed to link youtube videos in the comments?
The proposed 2nd song is on youtube but when i post gets put into moderation and deleted?
I don’t want to hear or see it and I don’t care what it’s called, hopefully we don’t need to ever even think of them again.
I don’t care to hear the new song for Belarus isn’t even in the contest anymore. I have no wish to explore anymore of their “discography.”
Are you sure that’s right? I can’t find the proposed 2nd song anywhere? Is this on their official Youtube, because I can’t find it there
Nevermind, I found it but I can’t edit my comment anymore for some reason. Thanks
Thanks God this time EBU listened to the song before posting it.
They wouldn’t have passed the semifinal anyway. I’m only curious about their participating fee. Oh no, now Russia is worried about their usual 12 p from Belarus.
I was hoping Zena would come to the rescue. She was actually a great performer. Nobody on this site gave her a chance to qualify, but she qualified.
Nobody should come to the rescue. Pawns of BTRC shouldn’t compete.
Zena isn’t political. Were you one of the ones that didn’t give her a chance to qualify?
Bye bye!
Good
good riddance
Yet another logo revamp is needed 😉
Haha lol
Well this should shake up the televote.
Still hoping to see a William & Deban reaction to either of the songs!
Free Belarus!
Even if they had an eligible song, letting this group perform would have been to big of a risk.
I was kinda looking forward to having the most disliked video on ESC channel. Anyway, I’m a go cry now for their disqualification… Not! XD
Semi final 1 just got easier. Only 6 countries will be eliminated. Semi final 2 is officially the bloodbath.
Not really, Belarus was damned to end up last anyway lol. So no real difference. its not like a possible qualifer was disqualified. I agree with the second statement though, second semi is harder.
in what way is it harder hahah? We have like 7 quality song in 2nd semi all others are either bad or boring. In the first semi 13 countries deserve to qualify.
I only see 5 almost certain qualifiers in semi 1, Sweden, Malta, Cyprus, Lithuania and Norway ( will have strong televote like Denmark 2018 ). What else is really strong? Romania? Azerbaijan? Russia? No, apart from those 5, its open for the rest of them, so not hard.
Whereas in the semi 2 I can see Greece, Iceland, San marino, Bulgaria, Finland. Switzerland and maybe Moldova as almost certain qualifiers, so only 3 free spots left = harder.
I think Azerbaijan is a definite qualifier
Russia also have their others friends and Diaspora voting here in this semifinal, plus Manizha is a nice singer, so she won’t struggle at all.
Don’t agree at all . Semi 1 has 9 songs competing for 4 qualifying positions. 1 of them is NQ and 6 of them are sure qualifiers. None of the 9 songs are below average. They are all average to good .
Semi 2 has 7 songs competing for 3 qualifying spots. 7 are probably already in and 3 are out. 4 of those 7 songs I find below average ….
Fantastic news. I wish EBU would allow an independent Belarusian artist to represent Belarus.
Its’ good that the EBU doesn’t want to cope with Belarusian propaganda but it’s a bad day for the young and progressive people that want to open up to Europe.