In December, many looked in the direction of Klava Koka as Russia’s Eurovision 2022 entry. However, silence has been telling that the “Краш” hitmaker is likely not going to be the country’s bid.
In an interview on the red carpet around the Russkoe radio project #ПоюЛюбимоеНаРусском, Klava told journalists that it seems unlikely she will be Russia’s contestant in Turin this May:
“I don’t know. Everybody is asking me about it. They call me: ‘You are going to Eurovision!’. And I say: ‘Why do I not know about it?’.”
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On the question about whether she is willing to participate at the contest, the singer answered:
“It would be cool, but my schedule is already clogged, therefore…”
“There were some talks about it. I don’t know. There was a hype around it. Now, nothing is clear in general. Myself I don’t know anything. It was a childhood dream to go to Italy.”
The songstress does not lie about a full agenda. Klava continues to release new tracks and recently acted in some advertisements.
Russia at Eurovision 2022: another peace ballad?
Public broadcaster VGTRK, who will choose Russia’s entry for the first time since 2019, is remaining extremely silent about their Eurovision efforts. Their last bid was revealed during an episode of the music talk show Privyet, Andrey! – hosted by Eurovision 2009 semi-final host Andrey Malakhov – in early February that year.
Meanwhile, Alexander Panayotov has confirmed he sent a bid to VGTRK, but that he has yet to hear from the public broadcaster. Speaking to Russkoe radio, the selection veteran commented he hasn’t even received a reply to his emails yet.
Russia has generally been late to reveal its entries in the recent decade. Last year, broadcaster Channel One held a last-minute national final after fan favourites Little Big pulled out in early March.
However, fans on social media see patterns with the internal selections of 2017, 2015 and 2014, when the country was under international political criticism.
In 2017, Channel One remained silent until a few days before the official deadline and revealed then unknown singer Julia Samoylova as the country’s representative. Two years prior to that, famous songstress Polina Gagarina sang a peace ballad, an usual genre for her, at the contest in Vienna. In 2014, the country selected 17-year-old Tolmachevy Sisters, who had previously won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2006.
Are you still hoping to see Klava Koka at Eurovision? What do you expect from Russia’s Eurovision 2022 entry? Let us know in the comments down below!
Comments on this article are now closed.
Sorry but Russia should be banned until it becomes a non-aggressor democracy. What is the point of having someone who threatens everyone in a party?
i think the broadcaster is waiting to see how far Putin will take it in Ukraine and if it goes to full war, then they will withdraw.
Ok thanks for telling me I didn’t know that
I think that with everything going on Russia should take the year off the eurovision song contest and then come back
Really Wiwibloggs? You censure / delete my critical message about Russia but allow Agent 007 saying ” that Ukraine is at war with itself ” and that Russian tanks in Ukraine bring PEACE? SHAME ON YOU WIWIBLOGGS. And go ahead, delete this quickly before your Russian sponsors see more anti-Russian truths. After all they dont pay you heavily for nothing, do they?!?
I wonder if any Russian artist would allow themselves to be used at Eurovision as the symbol of Russian violence and warmongering at the moment. It will damage their career considerably. Had Sergey Lazarev not been singing for Russia, for example, he would have won ESC easily. In the meantime, Russia’s reputation has grown even worse. Russia had better not take part this year and stay away the next few years until their Supreme Leader regains some sense of reality.
There are some things we, Eurovision fans, have to understand: Russia doesn’t really care if a group of Eurovision fans boo them or not. It never cared. Secondly, the largest group of people who watch Eurovision also doesn’t really care about Russia-Ukraine issues and LGBT issues in Russia: they will vote for Russian entry if they like it and that’s it. The jurors, on the other hand, might be more cautious and include the current political issues and downgrade Russia. So, calling for boycott or withdrawal of Russia will not work. Russia will probably withdraw only if they want to.… Read more »
I disagree with the fact that most Eurovision viewers don’t care about Russia and Ukraine, and even more about LGBT issues in Russia (many viewers are lgbt and they know that Russia is a deeply homophobic country, I mean, we boo it every year). Of course they care, and even those who don’t, should. That’s why EBU needs to take action against Russia. The truth is that the contest has political notes, it always had, and denying it is just a blatant lie. Example: 1944 was a deeply political song. Many viewers, like me, didn’t know a thing about the… Read more »
I’m interested. Any Russians here who have thoughts about any of this? (With the understanding you could be kidnapped for speaking out against your “leader”). I expect only positive comments, obviously, haha.
I don’t think Russians know what is going on.
Russian people do not have the same sense of reality as the rest of the world, because in Russia there is no free press. Their “news” is dictated by the Russian government. So Russian people accept that “news” as real, because they cannot read and hear what is really happening in the world.
Russians know very well what’s going on. Domestic media might be biased, but we’re in 2022 now and people can access foreign news easily. Even in Cuba and Iran you have TVs everywhere (restaurants, hotel lobbys, etc.) with CNN on, and in a country like China everyone uses VPN to circumvent internet censorship. I would say not having access to a free press at home makes people all the more hungry for scouting the web for news.
Who cares about these clowns
I think Russia will withdraw this year.. It would probably be the best.
Of course Russia will not withdraw. But they better do, as they will especially irritate the audience this year.
Do not try to bring the political problems between the two countries to the ESC stage. ESC is a music contest, not an arena of politics and war! Stop trying to turn Eurovision into politics. It is not the representatives and songs that are at war, but the countries that are at war
Ukraine is in war with itself. Hopefully when Russian army enters Donbass, peace will come, like in Crimea as Ukrainians are not eager and cannot fight against Russia. PEACE <3
Doesn’t mean Russia should invade Ukraine for no reason. Imagine Germany doing that to France. Oh Wait! It did! Duh. Your logic is wrong.
You are an idiot. Calling for peace and then applauding for Russian tanks rolling into Ukraine. Russia is stealing land again, like it did in Georgia (2008) and Crimea (2014). Those are acts of war, not peace.
How can you talk about peace and then defend that Russia’s tanks are rolling into Ukraine. Really?!?!?
It’s all very well saying that politics has no place on the ESC stage but it always has been part of it. What’s going on at the moment to Ukraine is very serious and we can’t just turn a blind eye to it as if it’s not happening, they’re our neighbour and are being treated appallingly buy a much larger and more powerful country and where will Russia stop?
Offtopic: Three artists for the final selection | Dream Team’s participation is in doubt | EXCLUSIVE This year’s entry of Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest will literally be announced in the last minute. The country’s public television, even at the time of writing, has not yet reached the song, nor the artist, who will represent Russia in Turin, with three names remaining on the table. Three artists are still in the crisis of the Russian public television, Russia 1, for the representation of the country in Eurovision 2022. Although we are in the last ten days of February, Russia 1 has not made its final decisions. Today… Read more »
Did you just paste someone else’s article?
Russia would just show its ignorance, stupidity, and stubbornness by coming this year.
Just ban Russia. Sick of their blatant ambition to eat Ukraine up and gang up with China.
What this has to do with Eurovision… Don’t bring politics to the contest… LOL
They only gang up with China for convenience, but once they’re both done with each other they’ll end up destroying each other
I’ve been thinking, instead of Klava Koka or another Kirkorov-written song, hardbass won’t seem to hurt for Russia in Eurovision. They can send in artists like Hardbass School, XS Project, Uamee, or DJ Blyatman to Turin to save Eurovision 2022 from being so far weak.
OR….. They could stay away and make Eurovision SAFE. I know that’s a foreign concept to them.
Should Russia be banned? No. It appears their broadcaster hasn’t violated any rules (so far).
Should Russia withdraw? Yes. They will be booed and destroyed by both juries and audiences, regardless of what they send.
Will Russia withdraw? No. Our boos and lack of points will only strengthen Putin.
This whole situation is terrible, and Russia/Putin will use Eurovision to boost their own horrendous behavior.
Would the situation be better if Russia were excluded? Probably not. ESC was created as a projects for unity in a divided Europe. Sometimes politics and warfare comes right in your face, but they didn’t break any EBU rules just yet
Did you even read what I wrote?
Poor artist representing Russia this year, they will have to go through all of that. If I would be an artist in Russia, I would not agree to do Eurovision this year.
Come to think of it, we haven’t had peace ballads in a while. It will be a good choice for anyone if they want to stand out in the competition lol.
But it’s Russia, it’s already something we’d expect from them
If the peace ballad cones from Russia it will be really comic!
why? It brought peace to Crimea and it is bringing peace to Donbass 🙂
Bruh, your “war is peace” -like statement is definitely a 1984 moment
We are the worst people
Different yet we’re the same
We believe
We believe in a dream
Praying for peace and healing
I hope we can start again
We believe
We believe in a dream
Spot on
“Sadly not”
That’s what I thought she said when I first heard it. Must have been psychic
Hahaha Yes i died when i heard her singing back in 2015 xd
Every russian singer who have a little brain in his head will not participate this year on ESC… for what… to be a playball in this political game? Russia will participate, thats sure like the amen in the church but with a B or C class singer who have nothing to loose.
Galasy ZMesta is certainly willing to represent Russia.
RAI wont allow Fans to boo Russian entrant, with anti-booing system like in 2015 wont happen.
Russia should be chucked out
Not sure we’ll see Russia or Ukraine at ESC this year to be honest…
I agree with you, both countries should just stay out, there’s some toxic atmosphere in the air.
First Ukraine with scandals and drama, now Russia with the ”we’re innocent and we love ballads” attitude. I don’t want to remember this year’s Eurovision after that.
Same with 2014, one of my very first thoughts is ”booing Russia” and extremely overrated Ukrainian song.
Dude, practically Ukraine and Italy are Europe’s new darlings, saying their entries are “overrated” makes your comment a downvote magnet
#EurovisionwithoutRussia
#eurovisionwithoutpolitics
Here I have a deal from Slovenia: They stop invading Ukraine, instead we give them our whole country as a colony, LPS is out of the game and July Jones represents Russia at the Eurovision 2022. Easy win
July jones was literally my fav this year as i love her style and music. I literally watchef ema just for her and she flopped oop
Because Slovenes try to be as exquisite as possible when choosing the Eurovision entry. Anything which is popular they deem as somehow bad and in the end they don’t care about Slovenia’s result (they think Slovenia won’t ever win anyway). This is how Raiven and Lina Kuduzovi? managed to lose, despite being the favorites. If you ask me, we shouldn’t be participating because for us, Eurovision is a plain waste of money
Well, then make the Russian televoting give it 12 points. For now I feel as if Disko will be the first entry in Eurovision history to get 0 points from both the juries and televoters in the Semi. As their name says, LPS = Last Place Semi
LPS stands for Last Pizza Slice. You can dislike the song all you want, but get off their case.
It OFFICIALLY stands for it. But I don’t think my interpretation is a coincidence…
How is July Jones eligible for Russia?
Well Slovenia would be part of Russia so July would be ‘Russian’
Russia who?
I think it is time people start to educate themselves and learn the history of Eurovision, why it was founded, the reasons why European countries decided to celebrate and unite after the post-war period. Educate yourself, it is never too late.
Sounds like some sort of excuse but I don’t blame her, I mean, if I were her I wouldn’t like to represent Russia this year just to get booed (and forget about any chances to crossover to Western scenes) either
I totally agree with you
Yes, one should be a sort of masochist to be willing to represent Russia in such circumstances. Anyway, I hope they will manage to find such a masochist 🙂
I hope they don’t, that’d mean they’d have to withdraw and their artists would look respectable imo
Russia will get booed while Azerbaijan was never. That’s the double standards of Eurovision
The double standards are real, but you also need to factor in power dynamics here: Russia is the largest country in the world with massive military capabilities and a huge influence, while Azerbaijan is unknown to most people (winning Eurovision was their biggest exposure ever, Google searches like “What is Azerbaijan?” spiked the day after). I don’t think people accept what Azerbaijan is doing, it’s just below their radar.
Also, Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, whereas Russian is violating the legally recognised sovereignty of a neighbouring country, so there is a bit of a difference. I’m not defending Azerbaijan’s actions in relation to recent border conflicts, but the issues are different on a matter of international law.
Because border conflicts happen a lot. Russia is planning to invade a sovereign damn country what are we even comparing here
Azerbaijan has never been a hot topic in my country but Russia has always been and I’m from East Asia.
No one in Mexico (where I come from) knows about Azerbaijan. You come up with the name and you’ll be asked stuff like “what’s that? is it eaten?”
On the other hand, the Russia situation seems to be polarizing to some extent, with deranged chairos rooting for Russia and the rest trying to stay neutral, making memes or low-key supporting Ukraine, being aware of the fact that Russia’s foreign policy is hostile to Europe and other parts of the world
This contest has always been and will always be political (same for all events that involve nations and flags). Politics are always distilled into every action we decide to do or not do: speaking up during wartime is a political decision, but deciding not to say anything is also political, deciding not to ban a country is a political decision, singing about peace (like so many Eurovision entries love to do, including Russia from 2013 to 2015) is a political statement, etc. This “no politics” thing has never been a rule, more like something to hide behind when they don’t… Read more »
The thing that makes me sad the most about whole this thing is – where were all the Eurovision fans calling for Russian representative (which we don´t know if will be forced to participate or if he/she agrees with official politics) last year when Samira Efendi took the part after Azerbaijian attacked Armenian Nagorno Karabakh and she was the one posting pictures of herself in uniform calling Armenian terrorist? Where? Where EBU was? Few people were interested.
So…
My dude what are you talking about? You should be glad that EBU did not disqualify Iveta Mukuchyan in 2016 when she brought in a BANNED flag of a fake country (a home for more than 900k displaced Azerbaijani Turks) into the arena. I don’t have to remind you of the number of times Iveta expressed hate towards Azeris and in fact she released a song last year during the war in which she vividly states “death to Turks.” So, stop spreading hate here (acting as if Armenia is the only victim in this conflict) and remember that we are… Read more »
Putin HATES to lose! This can affect him.
I genuinely appreciate Renske emphasizing the innocent-girl-singing-about-peace trope. Basically Putin’s return to the presidency in 2012 and the subsequent crackdown created a certain narrative for Russia’s representers at international events (musicians at the ESC, athletes at the Olympics, etc). They should present themselves and their performances clean as whistle, technically impeccable, and with no personal story behind. It’s a strategy to cover dirt, pain, and gore behind this spotless curtain. Thus I’m still overwhelmed by the fact that Manizha was not banned but supported with her deeply personal story, far from being just a shield for Russian broadcaster’s ambitions on… Read more »
Until they don’t want to use the contest for their political agenda like Belarus did, they are welcome to join and probably that’s what the EBU will also say. I mean why would they be banned from ESC if they keep participating at sports events? If they were hosts, it might be a different story…
I hope they don’t send any peace ballad though, they should come with something modern and edgy, Russian music is so much more than they usually show at the contest. Last 2 years were great examples, but sadly it’s the other broadcaster’s turn…
That was a good song with a good singer. But, if they sent something like that, I would not take it seriously. Like the twins in 2015.
Million voices was written by a Swede
When talking about sports, BBC reports today that it’s nearly certain that St. Petersburg will be stripped of the male Champions League Football Final in May. And if Russia invades Ukraine Russia will surely be kicked out of all international sport. And I think EBU will do the same. THat’ll be the reality.
I dont think so, whats if Russia qualifies to FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, and how will compensate Russian Football federation on lost Champions League Football Final bid due politics? They will sue UEFA!!
I have my fingers crossed for Lena Katina always.
She now is very forgotten in Russia for do ESC.
If they participate, and if their representative is booed by the fans, I’m sorry to say that that usually causes the opposite effect than what’s intended… Many Russians already feel misjudged and rejected by Western society, and public shaming tends to reinforce their views and their support of the government. I know booing is a very natural and emotional response but in the context of ESC (*not* the larger political context, mind you) a bit of love can go a long way. Like publicly showing respect for the act in spite of their awful government, and making it very clear… Read more »
Love won’t help, there is too much anti-Western propaganda in Russia. Besides, people still voted for Putin in the most recent elections which were after 2014, so they don’t mind him killing Ukrainians (at least a couple soldiers died each month before the recent events, now 1 or 2 dies per day).
He would’ve rigged the results, yes, if they didn’t vote for him, but in fact they actually did. And they support Putin (the majority at least)
He doesn’t give them anybody else to vote for.
Have you heard about protest voting? They could literally vote for anyone else. Select a guy with maximum chance of being a runner up and vote for him. This would make a big damage to Putin’s self confidence and he wouldn’t be able to do crazy stuff knowing there will be no consequences.
I agree. They are doing Putin a favour by booing. It suits him. I was glad that it was covered up with fake clapping in 2015.
Thank you. I don’t understand why my comment is being downvoted to oblivion 🙁
Don’t take it personally. Your comment makes a lot of sense and as a Russian citizen who despises Putin I thank you for that.
here is something i found: the russian band cream soda wiped their whole instagram account and now only has 1 post saying they have an announcement tonight at 22:22 moscow time. there is also a russian flag in the post so i think they will be representing russia this year. it’s a really good choice and their other music is great! the account is @creamsodamusic
If Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) was banned in 1993 there is no reason not to ban Russia!
Yes, we were banned. That’s exactly why I disagree with anyone else being banned because Eurovision participation should not be based on the political decisions. The same goes for sport.
To be fair, that was related to official UN sanctions, and given that those sanctions were related to a war in which some Serbs participated in Europe’s worst genocide since the Holocaust…in terms of crimes against humanity, it was a really bad situation.
Ban Russia!
Has the broadcaster done something against EBU rules?
Question to all Eurovision fans! Do you think Russia can participate or should it be excluded from participation ?
Ban for at least a year.
I don’t support Russian policies towards Ukraine, but I don’t think Russia should be banned.
Banned. Political aggression goes against the WHOLE POINT of Eurovision. Recall, this all started following WWII
No. Then we should ban Azerbaijan last year for similar reasons. While Russia don’t send a political song, or a political act. Citizens =/=Government
Of course they can… This is a song contest… And as Madonna said, music makes the people come together.. Yay..
They should not be represented in any major world event. Enough with this. They got a pass in 2014 and now they are doing basically the same thing because obviously the “punishment” was ridiculous. In that pace Russia will get to the borders of western Europe in no time. People think that it’s a Ukrainian problem but it really isn’t. It will very soon be the whole European problem.
Angry mob of pathetic ESC fans??? EXCUSE ME???? This is not the time to ignore politics when Russia invades another country that is also participating in Eurovision. No time to ignore the atrocities.
The Russian entrant that will go to Turin obviously agrees with this tactic otherwise they would kindly reject Eurovision this year for obvious reasons. They deserve any negative reactions from the public because they represent Russia, a country that is starting a war against Ukraine.
Representing a country at ESC =/= representing the government.
Both Russian broadcasters, Chanel 1 (Pervyy kanal) and VGTRK, are state-run media empires which provide atrocious state propaganda. Both companies are a linchpin (as well as RT) of the horrendous system of creating and distributing justifications for Putin’s militaristic actions.
Thus representing a country supported by these broadcasters = representing the government
“Fake news”
Wow you’re really pathetic aren’t you.
But the Broadcaster that sends the Russian acts isn’t the same governmental body that has created this crisis with Ukraine. They are different and have denied association with each other. They would be at each other’s throats if they had to.
Why those Angry fans didn’t boo Israel & UK when they invaded countries and their neibourds? Here are clear double standars..
The shade from wiwi about the song for world peace stands true!!! They did in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and what a coincidence, they sent innocent-looking girls. Let’s not forget that they chose Julia deliberately in 2017 even though they knew she would be disqualified because of Crimea. They took advantage of her for their own benefit. I hope they don’t choose to go for the same tactic (innocent-looking girl with peace-loving song) but if they do, then i don’t care, they should be booed. This is not the time to be apolitical plus it would be very hypocritical of… Read more »
People also keep ignoring 2021. A sham selection that resulted in a feminist song being voted on International Women’s Day. It was basically ‘Look over here, not over there’. But people gobbled it up because of lovely Manizha, never realizing they were successfully distracted.
To be fair, Russia’s imperialist ambitions in 2021 weren’t that apparent, and it was the other broadcaster who was responsible for Rotterdam, hence why it’s not exactly analogous.
and Kirkorov was not involveddd
In 2021 they ran out of choices after Little Big rejected Eurovision so they got 3-4 songs and only Manizha stood out.
Manizha does not represent Putin’s Russia but a free Russia. She gave us the best entry from Russia in years, an authentic song and original staging and not a recycled Kontopoulos tune.
They shouldn’t participate this year, but I very much doubt Russia will withdraw.
taking part in Eurovision this year, will be a complete show of strength to the world and a massive attempt at patronising Ukraine and the west.
We’ll definitely be treated to a peace song.
Shame, after last years great empowering entry, I really thought things where going to change for Russia, in the right direction.
Would if I could, but seeing as I’m not actually Russian, I doubt I’d be accepted. And my political outlook would probably deem me unsavoury too.
But nice to see I made an effect on your good self though 😉
I think we can all do better than whatever that was that Yulia was forced to sing in 2018.
So maybeeee 😀
That’s the thing with them, they use Eurovision in a very cynical way. They send a peace song while invading countries, they send a feminist song when there are very few more chauvinist and intolerant places on earth. I’m sick of those fake as* cun*s. I don’t wanna see them anywhere, let alone in a giant gay party like ESC. They don’t deserve to be part of anything. They can have a party with Iran and N. Korea if they want.
There is no such thing as “televote results” in Russia, there are no elections. I don’t think anybody actually counted any votes of the public there since the 90s. Don’t be naive
and don´t forget with Turkey and Azerbaijian (should have already been banned as well)
So you support the genocide of Ukrainians huh.
For me Russia should be banned for at least this year.
I agree with the idea. But, I think it is important for Europe to show strength and unity, and issue a CLEAR condemnation to Russia (regardless of the act) to let it know that its aggression is NOT ACCEPTED, this is part of the punishment.
I just want us to withdraw at this point. It’s sheer madness what is happening right now. I’m tired of all this torrential hate towards our performers year in year out just because of a bunch of some corrupted lunatics at the top doing their atrocities.
Yeah, Russia needs new leadership all over. But what can you do when you have a president that continuously reelects himself and extends his terms? Wait for him to die?
Death won’t do much. Another maniac will take his place
Sergey made the booing go away, maybe they will need him again this year.
He appears every three years, so…
He has a smart team behind him so they knew WHEN to participate (avoided 2014, 2015)