She’s the Ukrainian star who won Vidbir 2019 just days ago with an explosive performance of her entry “Siren Song”. But ever since MARUV’s victory, the drama has been non-stop. Broadcaster UA:PBC requested that MARUV must sign a contract stating she would cancel all her upcoming shows and appearances in Russia. But now the star has spoken out and revealed more details about what this contract — which must be signed by lunchtime today — requires of her.
In a post on Facebook, MARUV notes that “the last 24 hours have been the most emotional in my life”. But despite talk of other countries being interested, MARUV is determined to represent Ukraine — and only Ukraine — at Eurovision 2019.
“I am Ukrainian, I love my country and I am proud to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv at the international Eurovision Song Contest 2019, despite the fact that within a day I received offers from three different countries to represent them. But my answer is categorical — I perform for Ukraine and no one else!”
Yesterday, Russian producer Iosif Prigogine offered to send the singer to Eurovision 2020 as a representative for Russia. Whilst speaking to the radio station Moscow Says, he said she has “crazy potential”. However, MARUV’s recent statement indicates that she would not accept such an offer.
MARUV notes that she is ready to cancel her performances in Russia. In reference to the issue of the Crimea region, which Eurovision 2016 champion Jamala brought up at the grand final of Vidbir, MARUV states: “I haven’t visited Crimea since 2014; I did not violate a single law of Ukraine. I am also ready to take all the costs of participation in the international competition”.
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Posted by MARUV on Sunday, February 24, 2019
However, MARUV also reveals a lot more details of the other requirements that UA:PBC (referred to as NTCU in Maruv’s post) would like to place upon her in the contract. She explains:
“And now about the contract itself, which they demand from me:
1. I am banned from any improvisation on the stage without the approval of the UA:PBC. (uncoordinated splits, for example, will lead to a fine of 2 MILLION UAH)
2. Immediate copyright transfer of the song to the international label of Warner Music (these rights were known about before the competition started)
3. Clearly fulfil any requirements and instructions of UA:PBC. (In theory, I can be forced to dance at the birthday of some politician, and in case of refusal, I will be disqualified and fined 2 MILLION UAH. Plus compensate UA:PBC for the alleged losses!)
4. A ban on communication with journalists without consent of the UA:PBC. (which completely violates the freedom of speech and human rights)
And there’s still a lot of things to do. In case of a violation of one of the points, a fine of 2 million uah and compensation of losses is still on the amount of.”
For reference, 2 million Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) currently equates to approximately €65,300 or £56,700.
The second point raised by MARUV relates to the copyright ownership of “Siren Song”. The singer is currently signed with the Russian branch of Warner Music, who also hold the copyright for her potential Eurovision entry. It seems that the broadcaster is requesting the transfer of this copyright, so that they may have control of it leading up to the contest.
The star goes on to criticise the broadcasters lack of financial support with any matters related to the contest:
“In return from UA:PBC, I do not get anything: not a penny of financial support, nor assistance in the organisation of the trip, nor, especially, international promo support. I even have to arrange a visa myself.
Although in the contract there are only a few items of responsibility for UA:PBC:
1. Give me advice regarding the rules of the contest.
2. With the permission of UA:PBC, take 10 people with you at your own expense.
3. Adhere to the terms of this contract.”
Finally, MARUV calls on the support of the independent press and international fans to support her through this period in which she believes there are “obvious attempts to make [her] refuse to represent [her] country”.
It is clear that MARUV is unhappy with the way that the broadcaster has dealt with the situation, and the demands they have made of her in the contract. However, she also demonstrates a clear desire to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv in May, and does not want to give up on that dream just yet.
How did the situation develop?
The eurodrama started early on in Saturday’s grand-final. After an unclear answer on the matter of Russia from MARUV — who has performed a number of times in the neighbouring country — Jamala decided to give the singer an example of a question she might face at a Eurovision press conference from a hard-nosed journalist. Jamala asked: “Crimea, is that Ukraine or…?” to which MARUV immediately replied: “Ukraine, of course.”.
Furthermore, right before the voting lines opened, host Serhiy Prytula read out a note given to him by broadcaster UA:PBC. The message stated that the broadcaster might still reject the winner of Vidbir, as the selection show is mostly organised by commercial broadcaster STB, while UA:PBC are responsible for things at Eurovision itself.
OMG, Did Jamala really just do that? ?#Vidbir #Vidbir2019 #Eurostb #Maruv #Jamala #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/kCc1oQ6o9e
— Ron K. (wiwibloggs) (@Ronkesc) February 23, 2019
In the end, MARUV came out on top, scoring eleven points (five from the jury and six from the public). However, before the confetti was even allowed to settle, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minster, Vyacheslav Kyrylenko, took to Twitter to note his disagreement with the result:
“The representative of Ukraine cannot be an artist who toured in the aggressor state, plans to do it in the future and sees nothing unacceptable in this. Therefore, the story with the selection of participant from Ukraine is far from complete.”
UA:PBC subsequently included a note on their website revealing that they did indeed plan to review the decision of the national final, and undertake checks for “compliance”:
“The public broadcaster has provided the winner of the national selection a contract with the terms of participation in the international Eurovision Song Contest 2019 to review. The official announcement of a representative of Ukraine at Eurovision 2019 will be held on completion of the check of musicians for compliance and after the signing of the contract.”
Exactly what those checks would involve were not initially revealed.
Europe eventually went to sleep, with hope that the morning after the night before might bring a bit more clarity to the situation.
Further information eventually came through Alexander Koltsova, a board member of UA:PBC, who told the press that MARUV had 24 hours to look over the contract and accept its requirements. She also noted that a final decision about whether the “Siren Song” singer would be Ukraine’s representative in may would be taken within 48 hours.
Clarification about exactly what was stated in the contract was revealed later by Viktoriia Sydorenko, the Director of Public and Media Relations department of UA:PBC. In a Facebook post, where she answered a series of fan questions about the on going decisions, she confirmed that the checks for compliance included a clause in the contract given to MARUV stating the singer must cancel all shows and appearances in Russia should she wish to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv.
Ms Sydorenko also confirmed there was no rule that stated acts entering Vidbir could not have previously performed in Russia. However, should they wish to go on to participate in Eurovision then they must accept the contract, including the ban on touring in Russia.
Who could be MARUV’s replacement?
Should MARUV not accept the broadcaster’s terms, or UA:PBC decides not to select the singer, the question remains of who would replace MARUV as Ukraine’s representative for Eurovision 2019.
The obvious choice may be the runners-up of Vidbir, Freedom Jazz. The group earned top marks from the jury, but only placed third with the televote, putting them just behind MARUV in the overall rankings. Yet, the jazz vocal trio have also previously performed in Russia, undertaking a dinner show and club night at the WoW club in Moscow as recently as June 2018. Would the broadcaster also question this appearance?
It is perhaps unlikely that other Vidbir acts YUKO or Anna-Maria would be chosen. Both were also subject to harsh scrutiny over their links to Russia at the grand final last Saturday. That just leaves KAZKA and Brunettes Shoot Blondes, who had placed third and fourth, respectively. Would either of them be willing to now take up the task of singing in Tel Aviv?
MARUV gains support from Philip Kirkorov
In an interview with MK.RU, Russian Eurovision maestro Philip Kirkorov has shown his support for MARUV. He noted that the singer dealt with the questions of the Vidbir jury very well:
“I am very pleased that the talented girl has openly told the truth that Eurovision is a song contest and nothing more. She won the final and was honoured to represent Ukraine. And people voted for her and her song without any political affiliation. This is the most important thing, no matter how she was provoked nor brought to tears during this most difficult test. She adequately answered, adequately held and adequately won the competition. She is quite courageous, open, and in fact she had the most fashionable song, she won by right — by the vote of viewers.”
The “Dream Team” member also noted that MARUV was a part of Sergey Lazarev’s team on The Voice Ukraine in 2014 (then known as Anna Korsun) and she has only had positive things to say about Russia’s Eurovision 2019 star since. Could we end up seeing a battle between the coach and the student in Tel Aviv?
What do you make of the contract given to MARUV? Do you think the demands expressed by the broadcaster are fair? How do you think MARUV should go on from here? Let us know in the comments below!
Off-topic: Wiwibloggs is constantly deleting one simple and harmless question in the comment section of the article on Saara Aalto. Can you stop that, please?
First of all, Shame on Jamala. and on this broadcaster.
turning eurovision or artistic performances into politics is soooo against eurovision spirit….
Good for her!!! After this, EBU should take a position and Ukraine shouldn’t be allowed to participate at all. Maybe Georgia, Belarus or Moldova could grab MARUV to perform for them?
I want her just to attend the ESC as independent and invited by EBU performer.
That would be reeeeally amazing!!!
Really I dont care more about this polítics discusions my top 5 is
1 Spain
2 Czech Rep
3 Albania
4 Italy
5 Estonia
Good picks, considering what song we finally got.
BOURRIN!
Maybe finally Jon Ola Sand should take some care about these situation?!
My thoughts that EBU should invite her as independent contestant, just as they allowed Serbia & Montenegro to vote in 2006 although they didn’t participate.
#JusticeForMaruv
And who’ll be the host if she wins?
Her mother.
One of the Big-5 country, most likely UK
So basically even we think the ESC 2019 favourites curse didn’t strike when MARUV won, in the end the curse is still winning.
I’ve been hearing some rumors having it that literally none of the other Vidbir finalists want to replace Maruv. Can’t say I’ll be surprised if that turns out to be the case.
Plot twist: Tayanna gets chosen.
after this fiasco they deserve to be out(sadly).And for me it’s the right thing to do (for the other artists as a support to Maruv)
This is not fair. They invited her to the NS and they made her reject to sign the contract.
Who would want that after all this drama? If somebody takes over maruv’s place now, the artist will get a huge load of hate and controversy over him no matter what.
Every year these guys create political drama, yet the EBU sits back and does nothing.
Im not condoning the Russian annexation of Crimea or the war in the Donbass at all! I understand the Ukrainian position, but cmon, it’s not as if they don’t know that Russia is also a competitor in ESC. All this public drama and negativity does ESC or Ukraine no favours. In fact they are playing into Russia’s hands with what can be deemed as quite childish behavior.
Ukraine need to sit out for a year or two I think.
man, you better shut up
manners..
Thankfully free speech where I come from.
Guess which country won’t qualify to the final this year and will break their 100% qualification record..
I love Jamala and Maruv. Please people don’t enter in this stupid game who want the idea war or politic or watvever…
It s sad for all. But now build, build build and ” share our dreams”
Jamala wasnt quite smart here. she refused to admit her own song was heavily political influenced. and now she turns maruv into politics……
Actually she admits that her song was with political context on Ukranian NS this year.
Ok. This year’s contest is officially cursed! I honestly can’t deal with all these disappointments one after another. See you in 2020.
all my favourites legit lost in national finals 🙁
Same 🙁
Please stop saying Ukraine is cancelled and should be banned.
Ukraine voted for Maruv and we love Eurovision.
The broadcaster is at fault, not Ukraine.
The broadcaster has to deal with the consequences, not Ukraine.
Sorry but you voted (not you of course but you get the point) for the goverment =>broadcaster etc. they are violating democracy and should be punished from EBU i love Ukraine but we need some justice here
on the other hand i loved Maruv to and i am so sad that you people having those problems 🙁
EBU has nothing do with it though. They can’t comment on such issues because all the countries are free to choose whoever they want if the song complies with Eurovision rules.
Oh Ukraine, it’s such a shame that UA:PBC has led the situation to this. The Ukrainian public is rooting for MARUV, we’re all rooting for MARUV.
This is really good news. Now, all of you know the real face of Ukraine, who pretends to be a democratic country with the desire to be a member of the EU.
russian troll detected
No. A Turkish one.
That contract is so outrageous I can’t imagine anyone accepting it willingly. They’re asking for everything from her and giving her absolutely nothing in return. It makes me wonder if they’ll give her replacement the same contract :/
exactly
BTW Freedom Jazz refused to sign the contract
#JusticeforMaruv
Please tell me if there is a source for this because their Instagram post seems to prove otherwise.
i read it in some Ogae post
So Kazka will take the place tho (In any case, they will come to Tel Aviv before Eurovision along with their current tour and no, the tour won’t take place in Russia. I checked)
if i was 2nd 3rd etc. i wouln’t sign either just to show them they acting fascist(the broadcaster)
Is there another country who could consider taking her?
i mean in that time of the year every country kinda has deals with singers but they dont reveal them so it’s unlikely to happend
The 3 countries who offers her to represent them are : Belarus, Moldova and Azebaijan.
Belarus and Moldova have national finals in March and Azerbaijan has already picked their song and artist which will be presented in March
No, no, Moldova has it’s own plans, as always! And for Belarus, who wants the hate/ fate Alekseev had?!
I‘m ready for that Liechtenstein debut!
Maruv belongs to the Vatican. 😀
#JusticeForMaruv
#Justice for the Tatar people of Crimea. Love jamala !
There is no link between what happened to the Tatar and the participation of Maruv at ESC! Anybody who think like this must be an idiot… sorry!
What happened to the Tatar is really sad. Still it doesn’t justify what’s going on with Maruv.
I’m sick of Ukraine and the political drama they making
2016:political anti-Russian song eu votes blindfolded(juries)
2017:Ban Julia for SINGING IN CRIMEA
2019:Ban Maruv for having plans for conserts at Russia
I see a patern there
So sad for Maruv btw she was in my top 5
They have also scandal in selection 2004, 2010.
i didn’t knew that more scandals….sad for the ukrainian fans….
Maruv could stay but she did not want to. Politics is there when it is left. I understand Jamala: it’s legitimate on his part. as an artist he knows how to position himself. Maruv did it. At the next so and stop the polemics !
Jamala herself also performed in russia in 2015.
MELOVIN’s PR manager said that MELOVIN didn’t sign this kind of contract that was offered to Maruv :
https://kp.ua/culture/631671-pyar-menedzher-MELOVIN-punkty-nashykh-s-MARUV-kontraktov-raskhodiatsia
Thanks for clarifying that up. And I’m sure the reason why UA:PBC is extra demanding is because of Lazarev – MARUV likes him a lot, he was her coach during The Voice and believed in her. UA:PBC wants to avoid a Russian/Ukrainian display of affection at the contest which is immensely sad for the contest itself but can be understood as Ukraine is at war and doesn’t want Eurovision to be used as propaganda saying that « see there’s nothing wrong between Ukraine and Russia, war is an inner Ukrainian problem » which has been Russia’s stance for 5 years. I’m still… Read more »
Wow, that is really unfair and disrespectful towards Maruv… But what can i say…
Ukraine is such a repressive state akin to USSR of yesteryear
Justice for Maruv!
Please … let Maruv perform for another country! And let’s give 12 points to her.. A big ‘ In Your Face ‘ for the Ukrainian broadcaster. Oh i’m so mad!!
The fact that MARUV will not be performing is great news to Tamta and Replay. The two songs have a very similar trumpet-based chorus and were going for that same spot as the official ESC2019 banger. In other words Ukraine just handed their top spot to Cyprus.
Yeah sure, let’s give a big ‘YAY’ for Tamta. Is this seriously your priority rn?
Priorities? You can band as a community all you want. You’re not the Ukrainian people nor the Ukrainian government. It’s not your fight to fight. Nor is it the EBUs. So sit this one out and let the country sort itself out. Meanwhile you can comment on what this decision does to other songs competing in Eurovision this year.
You call Replay a banger? A Melfest inoffensive song in the final is more accurate.
Replay is just as much of a banger as Fuego was and she will come in with a similarly dance heavy performance that will easily snatch a top spot.
The worst thing to do is to send the exact same kind of song two years in a row. Perhaps Tamta can enter top 10 but I’m pretty sure she won’t do as good as Eleni.
But this is clearly not the subject of this article.
Or she’ll lack Eleni’s charisma and it will be an epic fail
Please … let Maruv perform for another country! And let’s give 12 points to her.. A big ‘ In Your Face ‘ for the Ukrainian broadcaster. Oh i’m so max!!! ??
What a farce! Time for Ukraine to take a break from the contest.
In this regard, I have a huge request to the organizers of the Eurovision to give her the opportunity to perform under a neutral flag! She really wants to show herself, the song and performance all over Europe, the world. She deserves it.
Sign a petition please! http://chng.it/54xPnthZqX
Thank you.
Couldnt agree more! Maruv should represent a neutral flag. She is amazing and Ukraine doesnt deserve such a good artist with a great personality
Can they do that? I ‘ve heard of Olympic athletes competing under the Olympic flag if there are issues with their home countries. I don’t know how that would play out at Eurovision.
I really doubt that’s within the scope of the EBU to allow. She should just go as an interval act in the final if she can. That’d be a real middle finger to the Ukrainian regime.
And let 2 Ukrainian artists perform on the same evening? No no no. The scene was supposed to be hers this year. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I hope Ukraine is gonna fall down, I really do.
This is not against Ukrainian in general, I love what they send every year. But this time it goes too far!
That would be iconic! If she wins we germans are happy to be the next hosts. We would also probably host if Australia wins so why not.
@Brötchen Haha this is the only chance for Germany to take back the contest in 2020 :’) Lilly Among Clouds could have done this but you failed :3
But I’m from Belgium and seeing the contest in Germany would make me happy 😀
Perform under a neutral flag? Lol. That’s not gonna happen.
Disgusting behaviour from UA:PBC. It’s so unfair – Russia and Ukraine’s music industries are so intertwined, Russia is a huge market for these artists, and MARUV is already a multiple platinum-selling artist in Russia I believe. They’re basically asking her not just to sign away any artistic control over her song and performance but also to put her entire career at risk. I loved several of the Vidbir contestants this year but seriously, what artist would agree to represent Ukraine now, knowing they’ll be treated this way by their own broadcaster?! This stuff makes the Armenian and Azerbaijani juries look… Read more »
Of course, you could always e-mail them.
It’s too early though. We don’t know yet what the Ukrainian broadcaster will do. If no other artist accepts, then it’s over for them anyhow.
Her perfomance was already trending in other countries. What a fail Ukraine!!
Make your voice heard. Petition for MARUV http://chng.it/54xPnthZqX
Disqualification for Ukraine. Once again they put their politics in front to bring them to Eurovision. They succeeded, commentators are going to mention it during the shows.
Honestly, since MARUV decided not to go to Eurovision – and I fully support her in this decision (even though I like her song, she won the national selections fair and square, but come on, the conditions and requirements are inhumane) – the other Ukrainian contestants should just follow her suit. The Ukrainian broadcaster did a disgusting thing.
Let’s just hand the trophy over to Italy… this year is doomed…
You do realise more than half of the songs haven’t been released or chosen yet right?
I love the song, it was my #1 but she made the right choice. I hope KAZKA replaces her
I hope none of the Vidbir participants replace her tbh…
@Okay I hope too. What kind of artist would accept to compete after this? I wouldn’t. I hope Ukrainian artists will call for a boycott but it’s clear that one of them (anti-Russia would be perfect of course) will accept
This year sucks! I only have one favorite after this.
I can see Ukraine going from 4th place in odds to 30th with this stupid decision
I’m mortified. UA:PBC should be denied EBU membership. Let other channels that actually care about the artists have full control over the selection process. Full disgrace.
So sad… what about the people who voted for her, will they get their money back? I hope Ukraine stays in semifinal.
I know right, It so sad that the people spend money to vote for an artist who eventually wins, but gets disqualified by a political broadcaster… UA:PBC should rot in hell!
I just can not support the act the act that they will send instead of her, whether it will be Freedom Jazz, KAZKA, Brunettes Shoot Blondes etc… I just can’t support this kind of terrible behaviour towards MARUV. In my honest opinion, none of the other Vidbir 2019 participants should go on to represent Ukraine as a protest to MARUV’s disqualification. The national finals ARE cursed after all… Maybe she can represent Moldova or Belarus this year or Russia next year? I really hope Ukraine comes dead last in their semi or that Russia wins and Ukraine will withdraw next… Read more »
http://chng.it/54xPnthZqX petition for MARUV. Petitions are inefficient but you can make your voice heard!
#Justice for MARUV and LAURA BRETAN !!!
Wtf, stop comparing these two cases, what happened to Maruv is SO much worse!
No it’s not worse, it’s equal.
True that. What happened in Romania IS a scandal because of how NF was composed and how juries were able to communicate and change their marks. Also, the fact that the public vote was said to be impactful, but it wasn’t. I get why are they upset, but *by the rules announced prior to the contest* Ester Peony is the rightful winner.
What’s happening to Maruv is indeed much worse. She is sabotaged after she already rightfully won. She is denied her legitimate win because of the politics! Shame, shame, shame on Ukraine!
I feel so sorry for her.. I saw fear in her eyes when Jamala asked her questions..
Ester Peony: Plagiarism after an old Romanian song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-rNGZUd1TM
Unglaublich! Ukraine really robs themselves here….ridicolous decision. They won 2016 because of this political debate and now stop their own well chosen act.
OMG Maruv go with SAN MARINO!! It would be the first win of san marino!
Too bad San Marino already chose their artist, but she can go with Azerbaijan, Belarus or Moldova!
Or Switzerland?
Belarus would make the most sense. Not like they were jumping for joy with their options anyway.
Belarus or Moldova are a logical choice, but they already have announced candidates. Not that they are any good, but, hey, it’s still something. ONLY countries who haven’t announced their representative nor selections are Ireland, Azerbaijan and Switzerland. Is it those 3 or does someone plan to ditch their selection / artist? Hmmm…..
@Colin They can announce MARUV as a wildcard or extra participant and in the end she will win… Kinda like Germany did with S!sters 😀
Seems like she has the ability to do that though. But nobody’s taking away my Serhat.
waiting for an EBU statement regarding this situation!
They should ban and penalize Ukraine!
Well, I could have bet on this… if there’s finally a song winning which I really like, it’s going to be pulled out… seriously, what IS going on this year? Until now, it’s my personal horror ESC year…
I know that petitions are not efficient, but a petition has been created just now. http://chng.it/54xPnthZqX let’s show our voice and solidarity with MARUV!
GAME OVER hahaha)) now go and sing in Moskov)))
She will perform for belarus and win.
I hope so, that would EPIC
She said she will only perform for Ukraine and no one else.
Jamala went in soch in 2015 after the annexation. Any comments on that?
Ukrainian television just hit the lowest bottom of all!
Disqualify Ukraine, please! They need to pull themselves together after sabotaging a possible top 5 entry just because the singer does not want to become their slave.Also a shameful way to spit on the people who voted.
Shame on you, Ukrainian television.you should be disqualified and Ukrainian people should be given their money back for voting.
I believe this would have made not only top 5, but Top 3 easily (given the level so far); Ukraine they really shooted on their foot with this stupid decision. I am so mad
This year is a mess