Photo: EBU / Andres Putting

The already messy OGAE Song Contest 2022 just got a little bit messier. On Friday, the Eurovision Club Germany confirmed that it’s officially withdrawing its entry. This follows an internal vote within the club. As you’ll recall, OGAE Ukraine withdrew earlier this month, citing the continued participation of Russia, which continues to wage a deadly war on Ukrainian soil.

The OGAE Song Contest is an annual event organised by OGAE — the Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l’Eurovision, or General Organisation of Eurovision Fans — in which the members of OGAE compete with an original song released in their countries. The song has to have been released in the previous year and be mostly sung in one of the country’s national languages.

This year, 30 clubs decided to participate — including those from Russia and Ukraine. The Ukrainian club subsequently issued a statement, writing that Russia’s participation goes against the values of Eurovision. You’ll recall that the EBU excluded Russia from Eurovision 2022, citing its invasion of Ukraine.

OGAE International subsequently held a vote and a “two-thirds majority” of the international fan clubs decided to allow the Russian club to remain in the competition. Many fans point out that it is the Russian government — not its Eurovision fans — who are waging war. 

However, as OGAE Ukraine has pointed out repeatedly, one of the Russian artists behind their entry “DNK” has performed at pro-war rallies. OGAE Ukraine has also shared screengrabs which show that the Russian fan club had endorsed Russia’s war. 

Members of the German fan club had less than two days to vote. Of the 1,247 members who were sent the e-mail, a total of 136 voted. Of these, 59 members (43.38%) wanted to remain in the contest, while 77 members (56.62%) voted to withdraw.

Germany’s now withdrawn entry was “Here Goes Nothing” by Michael Schulte, who sang for Germany at Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon.

In the wake of Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, the international governing bodies of several sports, including basketball, hockey, figure skating and football, have banned Russian teams from competition. 

Do you think that more clubs will withdraw? Do you want your OGAE club to remain in the competition? Let us know in the comments box below.

OGAE Song Contest 2022 Participants

  1. 🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni – “Ma Stasera”
  2. 🇦🇲 Armenia: Brunette – “Smoke Break”
  3. 🇷🇺 Russia: Leonid Agutin and Vladimir Presnjakov – “DNK”
  4. 🇵🇱 Poland: Doda – “Fake Love”
  5. 🇱🇻 Latvia: Citi Zēni – “Limuzīns Uz Krīta”
  6. 🇦🇩 Andorra: Julen – “Una Cançó”
  7. 🇫🇮 Finland: Vilma Jää – “Saatanan saalistaja”
  8. 🇷🇸 Serbia: Milica Pavlović & Albino – “Šećeru”
  9. 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Laka Malawi feat. We Are Domi – “High Speed Kissing”
  10. 🇹🇷 Turkey: Kerimcan Durmaz – “Peşimde”
  11. 🇧🇪 Belgium: Lost Frequencies feat. Calum Scott – “Where Are You Now”
  12. 🇪🇸 Spain: Varry Brava and Soleá Morente – “Bajo la Luz Perfecta”
  13. 🇭🇺 Hungary: VALMAR feat. Robi Szikora – “Úristen”
  14. 🇳🇴 Norway: Chris Holsten – “Smilet i ditt eget speil”
  15. 🇫🇷 France: Juliette Armanet – “Le dernier jour du disco”
  16. 🇮🇪 Ireland: Westlife –”Starlight”
  17. 🇭🇷 Croatia: Vlaho feat. ZSA ZSA – “Flowerpot”
  18. 🇦🇹 Austria: Klangkarussell – “Home”
  19. 🇪🇪 Estonia: Daniel Levi – “Jasmine”
  20. 🇸🇮 Slovenia: Eva Boto – “Nočem, da greš”
  21. 🇺🇳 Rest of the World: Pabllo Vittar and Rina Sawayama – “Follow Me”
  22. 🇦🇺 Australia: Kylie Minogue and Years & Years – “A Second to Midnight”
  23. 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Loukas Yorkas – “Mechri Ton Ourano”
  24. 🇵🇹 Portugal: Bárbara Bandeira feat. Carminho – “Onde Vais”
  25. 🇬🇷 Greece: Christos Mastoras – “An”
  26. 🇸🇪 Sweden: ABBA – “Don’t Shut Me Down”
  27. 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Lara feat. Kasapski – “Samo Svrti Se”
  28. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Harry Styles – “As It Was”

 

44 Comments
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Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Drama that nobody asked. This is a fan contest for Christ’s sake. Punishing the Russian fans won’t end the war. Russia is not represented by Putin in OGAE.

Also, let’s see what those fans will do when Kirkorov will take over Eurovision entry in Azerbaijan or Bulgaria.

vetrina
vetrina
2 years ago

Apparently, OGAE doesn’t care about ppl being displaced and killed in the continent!

Piet
Piet
2 years ago

Still 27 countries accepting Russo-Nazis. A disgrace!

Doris
Doris
2 years ago

At the end only Russia will be left so it will win.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
2 years ago

Who cares? What is OGAE anyways?… Completely out of touch what the ESC has become. Having said that, I don’t think that fans should be penalized. They have nothing to do with what is going on. (Another thing, is of course Russia’s absence of ESC, which is very much justified, because the public broadcaster represents officially represents the country)

Day one
Day one
2 years ago

The UK OGAE club has withdrawn as well

Vladimir S
Vladimir S
2 years ago

I think politics should be kept out of this. Demanding for a country to be thrown out of everything helps no one.

Oy ou
Oy ou
2 years ago

Kudos OGAE Germany??

Ares
Ares
2 years ago

Whatever. I’m tired of this

Samira
Samira
2 years ago

Pretentious OGAE folks acting like they’re much more of a big deal than they actually are…

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago
Reply to  Samira

I feel like the ogae fanclub system is outdated and also doesn’t really appeal to the younger generation of fans.

Eurotoxic
Eurotoxic
2 years ago

We ALL should do it!!! Nazi Ogae shame on you supporting a war and a killer

Alfie28
Alfie28
2 years ago

I don’t know why ANY country would want to participate in ANY contest in which russia is a participant. Allowing russia to compete in anything is affirming their actions. And don’t tell me that “oh, it’s not about the war.” THAT’S A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT. Everyone who represents russia in anything has to have the Kremlin’s blessing.

Leafar
Leafar
2 years ago
Reply to  Alfie28

i think there should be a nuance like if OGAE Russia said “we are openly against the war and our government’s decisions, we still want to participate to show what the spirit of Eurovision is about blabla…” then countries could and should (imo) participate with Russia. But OGAE Russia made it clear, they are for the war so it’s not even a question…

Rall
Rall
2 years ago
Reply to  Leafar

Netta was pushing for Eurovision to be held in Jerusalem even though Palestinians are being abused, murdered and displaced. Does that mean everyone who represents Israel is supportive of that?

Leo
Leo
2 years ago
Reply to  Rall

Toy’s writer openly said the than-PM “corrupt our mind by saying everyone hates us” when celebrating Nadav’s qualification. There’s a very diverse array of options that people can vote for there, even though there are some very bad ones.

Azuro
Azuro
2 years ago

Uk has also withdrawn

Gaga
Gaga
2 years ago

What is Armenia doing there? We should leave it as early as possible. Russia and Azerbaijan are doing to us the same as Russia has done to Ukraine.

Ern
Ern
2 years ago
Reply to  Gaga

Don’t forget Turkey!

For some reason, they’re still participating in OGAE, despite pulling out of the contest.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

It’s becoming worse and worse….I don’t know what to think, 2/3 of the clubs have voted yes to let Russia participating, so I guess the 1/3 remaining will all withdraw. I’m totally against the war, and this russian invasion is a disgrace but I’m also for letting Ogae Russia to express themselves too. Ogae Russia is neither Putin nor his government, I don’t think they choose this situation, so if they say publicly they are apolitical and that they don’t support this illegitimate war, I don’t see a reason to ban them, they haven’t ask for this war and are… Read more »

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

Wow one downvote directly the first second after I post this comment! There are motivated people here who unfortunately don’t read the comments until the end before unloading their hate in a downvote, that’s the proof.

Riley
Riley
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

if they say publicly they are apolitical and that they don’t support this illegitimate war” they have publicly stated they support the war against Ukraine. They have no place in an organization for fans of a contest promoting European UNITY when they’re actively supporting war against another nation. I hope more clubs follow Germany and the UK in withdrawing.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Riley

Ok do you have valid sources for that?

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

I report the comment I tagged Sabi in to you also:

https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2022/09/ogae-russia-allegedly-supports-actions-of-their-government/

An article that stated a quote from OGAE Russia saying they express their apolitical position *in support of their country’s actions*
So they’re apolitical but they support Russia’s acts? Huh?

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Repost not report lmaoooo

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

I’m still confused…

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

We don’t even know what are the real sources for this article and if they are valid….

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Yesterday it was the performer who made a concert pro Putin who was the problem, today now it’s the song itself which is the problem, honestly there’s something weird in all of that.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Esc addict

No, OGAE Russia supports the war. And they’ve sent an artist who also very openly supports the war.

But we know that for days now.

There is no ‘If OGAE Russia says it’s apolitical …’ as they’ve already made clear they aren’t. Instead they posted a pro-war message without anyone forcing them to do so.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago

Speaking of something that matters, these are the ESC countries that have not confirmed for 2023 yet:
-Armenia
-Azerbaijan
-Bulgaria
-Croatia
-Czech Republic
-Moldova
-North Macedonia

I can’t really see a reason for Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Rep & Moldova to leave and I really hope they don’t.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

I mean I can see a reason for them to leave: a monetary one. But I really hope none of them leave : (

Gaga
Gaga
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Armenia must leave it NOW

Leo
Leo
2 years ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Armenia and Moldova often confirm in October or with the provisional list, Azerbaijan sometimes do too. I hope all the others are there and I’d expect them, though Bulgaria’s 2019 withdrawal, and Czech having far better results than ratings, a la the Bulgarians, the latter of whom had a run of form broken in Torino, are mild concerns. I’m sure those 2 teams are very committed though, and several Czech staff are very much in an ESC mood. Hungary’s withdrawal also concerns me, as they quit despite continuing A Dal. However, Croatia continuing Dora surely means they’re still there. NM… Read more »

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Leo

I was really surprised when I saw Montenegro confirmed.

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago

Cool

Random
Random
2 years ago

OGAE Russia started it all. Are they purposely sending a pro-war singer? And they expect that the Ukrainians will not react? They are to blame for all the drama. If they had sent some neutral singer, it would have been different. I have no respect for the clubs who voted to keep these schemers in the competition.

Sandro
Sandro
2 years ago

United Kingdom also wthdraw, they made a statement earlier today

Sabi
Sabi
2 years ago

Too late to make a Boycott because tomorrow the OGAE Song Contest International voting starts, unless here are last minute boycott.

Karl
Karl
2 years ago

Who the hell cares about OGAE anyway. Leave, stay. Who cares?

kelly edd
kelly edd
2 years ago

jesc 2022 is most likely not going to happen bc of azerbaijans attacks against armenia but watch the esc community open their mouth and scream the sec ukraine says it wont participate in jesc 2022 . WHY so SELECTIVE over war on sovereign countries being attackend by DICKtators.

conortje
conortje
2 years ago

‘OGAE Ukraine has also shared screengrabs which show that the Russian fan club had endorsed Russia’s war. ‘ if this is true then why is this even a debate? They should have no place in the OGAE.

Sabi
Sabi
2 years ago
Reply to  conortje

Its fakIts fake, OGAE Russia they said that are a Apolitical club, they don’t support the war as OGAE Ukraine said, they are just Drama Queens.

Hi Herluis
Hi Herluis
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabi

It’s not fake, despite your best efforts everywhere to claim otherwise *cough*cough*. It’s still up on their website, where it says “OGAE Russia considers it necessary to express its apolitical position on what is happening in support of the actions of our country.” The artists chosen by OGAE Russia is also supporting the genocidal war waged by the Russian regime. Shame on you for again trying to portray victims in a war as “drama queens”. #NoShame

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabi

https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2022/09/ogae-russia-allegedly-supports-actions-of-their-government/

So here is an article that stated a quote from OGAE Russia saying they express their apolitical position *in support of their country’s actions*

So they’re apolitical but they support Russia’s acts? Huh?