More and more European broadcasters are condemning Russia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. They’re asking the European Broadcasting Union to exclude it from the next edition in Turin.
Now Estonia’s broadcaster ERR has announced it will consider withdrawing from Eurovision 2022 if Russia takes part in this year’s contest.
As ERR explains on its web site, Estonia will decide on its participation “depending on whether or not Russia participates in the competition.”
Erik Roose, Chairman of the Board of ERR, has reached out to colleagues from the EBU about the matter. He told ERR:
“Obviously, it is inconceivable that Estonia will participate in Eurovision in a situation where Russia participates there, but in this case Ukraine will not. Our colleagues from other Baltic countries apparently share this view. We will continue to communicate with the EBU as the organizer of the song contest.”
Estonian representative Stefan has not yet commented on the matter.
Iceland asks the EBU to suspend Russia
Since yesterday, nine countries have asked the EBU to suspend the Russian broadcasters or to exclude Russia from Eurovision 2022. Iceland is among the latest.
“We have been in contact with our Nordic colleagues who share our concerns about the situation in Ukraine. It is the opinion of all of us that it will not work for Russia to participate in Eurovision in these circumstances,” says Stefán Eiríksson, RÚV’s radio director.
He wouldn’t be pressed on whether Iceland would withdraw if Russia is allowed to take part, saying now is not the time to discuss that. “I have full faith that the EBU will take this seriously and responsibly.”
So far, nine of the 41 participant countries at Eurovision 2022 have asked the EBU to exclude Russia:
Estonia
Iceland
Lithuania
Uk 100% behind you Estonia
If the EBU do not grow a pair and remove Russia from the contest, I will not be watching/supporting it going forward. The contest was created to try and unify a war-torn Europe. What Russia is doing is in complete contravention to the ideals on which this contest was founded upon. I understand that others are bringing up the Azerbaijan/Armenia situation, Israel and even the UK and others invading Iraq etc… The difference is that none of them created the potential for WW3. What Russia is doing could realistically make that a possibility. I doubt the BBC (or other Big… Read more »
I’d say that it is Putin who is inflicting these atrocities on both Ukraine and also on Russia.
Although I agree that it is not all of Russia doing this, Putin would not be as powerful if he wasn’t being propped up by followers and such. If the Russians don’t like what he is doing they need to turn on him as a country. The soldiers need to stop doing what they are doing and turn on him.
Why has RT (Russian Television News) not been removed from Freeview as it spouts Putin’s lies, misinformation and threats? ??
BBC News just announced that the EBU have excluded Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest.
No comments from the Big 5 yet?
No need, because the EBU has finally found it balls to expel Russia
Breaking News:
No Russian act will be performing in Eurovision 2022
Thank You, AMEN!!
The EBU have announced Russia will not participate at Eurovision! FINALLY! “The EBU has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU. The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee. The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would… Read more »
They really had no choice.
While I welcome the decision, the fact that it took over 24 hours from the invasion to reach this decision (amid mounting pressure) is rather unsettling.
But I hope this is true
YES!!!
Russia has just been kicked out of the contest officially!! Thanks Europe!! Solidarity to Ukraine!!
I hope that everyone in Ukraine knows how much the rest off Europe love and care for you all and please don’t leave the eurovision song contest
Wiwibloggs, grow a pair and do not any longer cover Russia at Eurovision.
Your wish might come true, because the EBU has finally made decision to expel Russia from eurovision.
Hopefully the other broadcasters also speak up, disappointed that the big 5 have remained silent so far.
Stefans song “i hope” is partly inspired by hoping for the peace and wars to end
So lets keep hoping….. that Russia will be banned, its the only right thing to do.
And the winner is Russia
UNRELATED
some eurovision fans are cancelling Maneskin because they posted their upcoming Istanbul(Turkey) concert announcement when there is a war. Guys please stop it , they’ve already talked about the war but this is their job and that’s how they make a living. Yes we all have to raise our voices about this horrible thing but also everyone has to go on with their lives. So please stop it
Come on Europe/Australia. Holding a god damn song contests is NOT more important than uniting against Russia.
Please stop that! You can both unite against Russia and have a contest.
There was a war in the Balkan’s in the 90¨s, did they stop the contest then?
Well, Yugoslavia split up. This is an invasion of another sovereign state that already exists.
It still was a very bloody war and even a genocide. Not that your country cared about it. Nor did in fact any other European country until it was much to late..
BAN Russia NOW! and if the viewing figures/ratings are really important for EBU and if it is the only reason to keep RUS in the contest, switch Russia with Turkey!
I cannot believe EBU just turns a blind eye to what’s going on in Ukraine for ratings and money! If ratings and money are must, then bring back Turkey, 85 million population and they are at least our NATO alliance.
I would do that.. Turkey stands with Ukraine bravely even though there is a Russian threat for their own region, also open for Refugees anytime.. Has it own problems but open for help for anyone needs by the way a Turkish participation would EXPLODE ratings and could beat 2016 viewing figures
The silence from East European broadcasters are deafening.
I mean we don’t expect Azerbaijan or Armenia to speak out now do we?
I’m more disappointed that the big 5 haven’t said anything yet but I’m also not surprised.
As much as I hate our broadcaster, I am almost 100% sure that Polish broadcaster is against Russia in Eurovision. Sooner or later, they will probably issue a statement. I don’t know why they haven’t done that yet. I have the impression that we are too close to this war to even think about Eurovision now.
Considering Armenia and Azerbaijan have Russian peacekeepers in their own disputed region, their respective broadcaster will definitely not speak up against Russia,.
And the Big 5? I wouldn’t be so quick to judge.
I think most broadcasters don’t know how to handle the situation because there are more important things than a song contest.
Russia is going to be disqualified %100 because some countries said they won’t take part if Russia takes , EBU has to cancel them to save the show.
Please no! It’s looking more and more like this ESC could be entirely cancelled! What are we gonna do if we don’t have ‘Hope’?!
Move on with our lives and hope for the best for Ukraine?
Ban Russia, that’s all it takes. Imagine canceling the show just because you don’t want to ban Hitl… i mean Putin.
Just ban Russia and you can have a contest..
EBU wake up and read the room!!!