Ukraine will not be required to film a live-on-tape performance for Eurovision 2022. That’s according to Claudio Fasulo, the Deputy Director of Rai 1.

Speaking during a FIMI event in Italy, and as reported by our friends at EuroFestival News, he said:

“Given the conditions we have waived the rule that the live-on-tape must be made with certain characteristics: ultimately we would use the video of their [national selection performance from Vidbir].”

As you’ll remember from last year, the EBU introduced a requirement for participants to film live-on-tape performances. These are used in case the show can’t go on for any reason or if a particular act contracts Covid-19. 

Last year, Australia’s Montaigne had to compete with her live-on-tape recording after Australian broadcaster SBS decided it was best to avoid international travel. 

The performances are meant to mirror a real-world Eurovision performance. As part of this, the artists must record their performances live and they can only perform it three times over the course of an hour. They then get the chance to choose which take to use.

Ukraine’s broadcaster had planned for Kalush Orchestra to film a live-on-tape performance in the western city of Lviv, which had, until recently, not endured strikes from Russian forces. 

However, the war is now moving ever closer to the city. In recent days there have been a barrage of missile attacks near Lviv. This has intensified fears that western Ukraine is no longer the safe haven it was a few weeks ago.

As we reported previously, the Ukrainian delegation is doing all it can do get to Torino. Fasulo has echoed his hope that Kalush Orchestra will appear on the stage in Italy. He said:

“We await all of the Ukrainian delegation and artists with open arms, hoping that at that moment, in the month of May, peace is not just a concept, but something that has blossomed.”

61 Comments
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Jay
Jay
2 years ago

If Ukraine wins it is a political contest, not a musical one. Unfair to all artists. Just withdraw!

AF32
AF32
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Or, or, or, …. you can go to Russia and support them. Just keep quite. Let the cards fall where the may.

Sometimes
Sometimes
2 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Grow a heart, Jay.

xyz
xyz
2 years ago

Just withdraw already.

Doris
Doris
2 years ago

Well if EBU is now making exemption bring back GO_A and Solovey that was real winning material song instead of horrific rap.

Ema
Ema
2 years ago
Reply to  Doris

That is just your opinion. Please remember that your opinion is not representative of all people, and this ‘horrific rap’ was voted for and elected by many Ukrainians. Personally, this is my second favorite song, and I listen to it every day. I have played it to many friends, and they all reacted positively to it. An a war is quite a reasonable exemption!

There is a light guiding my way
There is a light guiding my way
2 years ago
Reply to  Doris

What about both being a winning material? Maybe Igor’s magic flute is the key that is making them that.

Jesse O'Rourke
Jesse O'Rourke
2 years ago

Give them the trophy already … we all know they will win so what’s the point for all this Hullabaloo

Musika
Musika
2 years ago

Just get Alina Pash as their back up choice for ESC in case Kalush cannot. Her song Forgotten Ancestors is a breathtaking entry that the Ukrainian ppl and the rest of the world needs to hear right now!

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  Musika

No, she sabotages documents

Alvin
Alvin
2 years ago

I’ve noticed that those who supported Putin and Russia came from countries where toxic masculinity still prevails (India, Indonesia, Pakistan).

What a coincidence…

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  Alvin

Many suporters of Putin are anime fans, so toxic masculinity is not a case

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
2 years ago

I won’t miss Russia at Eurovision and I hope they never come back. The country which destroys the hospitals and schools deserves nothing but long-term shame and sanctions as well as all those who support them, just like nationalistic unimportant singer who represented them in 2015.

Sim
Sim
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

you are absolutelly right. But the same did Azerbaijan to Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh in autumn 2020. So…

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  Sim

No, Armenians did it to Azeris

Sim
Sim
2 years ago
Reply to  Alexioz

sure. dozens of international indepedent journalist witnessed your war crimes. EU. Nato. United nations. Unesco, as Azerbaijan still continues find destroying old churches (just one example – cathedral in Shushi). Many international personalities stand up for Amrnenians. Once again, INDEPENDENT sources bring new every day – Armenian let them enter in Artsakh, Azeris did not. But yes, yes, you must be right….oh my God. (my brain, it hurts!)

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Not Russia, but Putin
And Gagarina will have 1 milliard rubles for that perfomance

Eglutt
Eglutt
2 years ago

My bigger concern is how civillians at separatist Donbass region and in Crimea are crime accomplices. Their silence is deafening. Belorussians albeit beaten to obedience during their own protests, are still trying to break railroads, reporting military movement, join fight on Ukraine side. Those 2 regions – help sustaining literal concentration camps. How TF are you going to coexist together after this nightmare is over, ffs?

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  Eglutt

How in the hell? Men from donbass hide in baracks because Russian millitaty tale them and send in front lines of war, they are against it too

Eglutt
Eglutt
2 years ago
Reply to  Alexioz

I do get that they are conscripted. But there are civillians left: elders, teenagers, women, uncpable for war. They could mix up molotov cocktaisl, they could hamper with kerchi bridge, they could, dunno bloack roads or make simple humaniatrian aid. I.E. give cellphone for those who were kidnapped from Mariupol! There are ways to help and SAY something against it!

Eglutt
Eglutt
2 years ago

I like that the producer had such a sensitive and compasionate statement. It’s rare – document language is different

Jimmy
Jimmy
2 years ago

Russia’s armed forces can barely take Ukraine, let alone hold it. Putin’s war will stop at Ukraine because it has already stalled there, in the face of the overwhelming determination and grit of Ukraine’s armed forces and civilian population. There are three main options left to Putin now. The Kremlin can work out an agreement with Kyiv that settles the conflict in a way that allows Russia to claim a victory, which will almost certainly entail Ukraine officially ceding Donbas and Crimea. Alternatively, the conflict continues on in its current form for months or years, in effective stalemate, with Ukraine… Read more »

Eglutt
Eglutt
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Friendly reminder to spread adcroos that Baltic countries are NOT in danger, no need to cancel vacations. Psreading panic apears to be a strong weapon sadly 🙁
Our travel agencies started spreading awareness seeing how MANY of reservations were cancelled and tourism industry had yet to recover from covid.

AF32
AF32
2 years ago

Yep, Looks like South Ossetia is joining Russia now, so Georgia is f***ed

Impero rodri
2 years ago

But Ukraine already have filled the reserve video and sent to EBU(according to Suspilne)

Impero rodri
2 years ago
Reply to  Impero rodri

*filmed

ESC Stan
ESC Stan
2 years ago
Reply to  Impero rodri

I hope so. Seeing the judges could be a bit jarring.

Impero rodri
2 years ago
Reply to  ESC Stan

Yes they filmed it so everything is ok

Ted
Ted
2 years ago
Reply to  Impero rodri

No. Under the live on tape rules, the tape must be recorded with eurovision officials over seeing the process via video link. The delegations can record up to three versions live then select the one to send forward. EBU have waved this process for Ukraine this year. And rightly so.

Impero rodri
2 years ago
Reply to  Ted

Yes sorry.We didn’t film it????

TD303
TD303
2 years ago

Not sure if they would be allowed to leave the country for a live-on-tape performance, since they’re men above 18 years old. I feel the only exemption made to that rule will be the actual contest.

AF32
AF32
2 years ago
Reply to  TD303

Probably correct, unfortunately, unless martial law is lifted or a special exception is granted.

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  TD303

Many men fleed from country, but yeah, it’s not legal

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Oh there are better songs competing. I hate if Ukraine would win as a sign of sympathy over songs that actually deserve to win more. It is a contest, stop politicizing it. If you want to sympathize how about doing something that actually will help Ukraine?

Ang
Ang
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Although I agree that I want the best song to win, for me Ukraine’s IS one of the best this year. It usually is, every single year they send very high quality songs. There’s a reason they’re the only country which has never stuck in the semis but has always got through to the final. I love the mix of ethnic/traditional & modern, even though I’m not usually a fan of rap. I want them to win, along with Spain, France & the UK, although I worry that if Ukraine wins, some fans will complain it’s only a pity vote.… Read more »

Shemshem
Shemshem
2 years ago

I really believe they are going to to their best to come to Turin. That would boost Ukrainian morale and European spirit, to show that Ukraine is a wonderful country with beautiful culture and music. Good luck Kalush Orchestra!

ESCx2022Queen
ESCx2022Queen
2 years ago

I’m honestly tired of politics being involved in Eurovision, every year the same issues with the same countries (Armenia-Azerbaijan; Russia-Ukraine) like stay home and don’t participate! I really don’t care anymore, I wanna enjoy music and celebrate unity, politics shouldn’t have a place in Eurovision even in times of war. I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I’m tired of that.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

If in the event kalush orchestra cannot make it to Italy, will they be using their vidbir national final performance as a substitute?

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Yes.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

I figured.

Thomas Sturley
2 years ago

I worry for Ukraine so much. With all these talks going on you would think their would be a Ceasfires not a continued onslaught.

AF32
AF32
2 years ago
Reply to  Thomas Sturley

No doubt! Looks like South Ossetia is joining Russia now, so Georgia is f***ed now

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  AF32

Georgia didn’t sanction Russia so that what you get

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

fingers crossed for kalush to be in turin in may. they deserve the full eurovision experience

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

keep that in mind the next time you want to be a pedantic lil snitch !

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

I feel like you oughta apologize Polly

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

oh dear… we’re in a situation bigger than whatever grudge you hold against me. i disagree with what kalush did, but here it’s all about the ukrainian people getting someone representing their country in the best possible way. leave the drama out of this and stop being such a loser.

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

once again, your drama isn’t appropriate here. please find a better hobby and show some sacrosanct respect for ukraine !

AF32
AF32
2 years ago

Why is this comment getting downvote? Oh, Russians. Yeah, Russians are nasty people. Sorry, Russian people, you did it to yourself. You are no longer welcome anywhere in the world, except Syria, North Korea, and China. Hope you like warm bugs for dinner.

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago
Reply to  AF32

nah, it’s that aria person who opened 30 private tabs to mass downvote lmao

Polegend Godnova
2 years ago

plss you’re so obsessed with me and for what

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  AF32

Another unaducated moron who hates nation, people like you shouldn’t live, just like other racist and xenophobes

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Alexioz

You misspelled ‘uneducated’, Einstein.

AF32
AF32
2 years ago

I hope Ukraine can make it. Praying for an end to Russia’s war, and a general end to Russia in general. No more of them ever.

Alexioz
Alexioz
2 years ago
Reply to  AF32

The only deserving end is to xenophobes and racists like you, hipocrites who wish death to 126 millions of people should be banned from everywhere

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
2 years ago

I thought it would be the opposite. If Ukraine had a live on tape performance pre-recorded it would mean Kalush Orchestra would not have to travel to Italy and could concentrate on fighting the war. At least send a team to make sure they’re okay!

Ted
Ted
2 years ago

A very wise decision.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I better not see anyone complain about the exemption. This is the least the EBU can do and we should all be happy that in the end, Ukraine will still have a song to present in front of a large audience and does a good job representing their culture.

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago

I’m happy with this. I’m glad it’s looking more likely that Ukraine will be represented, a chance to show the world that they still exist and plan to keep it that way.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nothing left to add.

Jimmy
Jimmy
2 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Hear, hear!