Russia Revives Intervision Song Contest as Eurovision Alternative

Revival of Intervision Song Contest

• 🇷🇺 Russia is reviving the Intervision Song Contest, a Soviet-era rival to Eurovision, after being banned from the latter following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• 🗓️ The contest is scheduled to take place on September 20th, with President Vladimir Putin ordering its return.

International Participation and Political Undertones

• 🌍 Performers from 23 countries, including nations from the Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, Latin America, Europe, and the United States, are set to participate.
• 🎤 Russia will be represented by singer Shaman, who has been sanctioned by the EU for supporting the invasion of Ukraine.
• 🗣️ On the streets of Moscow, opinions are divided, with some believing culture and sport should remain separate from politics, while others view Intervision as a less significant alternative to Eurovision.
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine has denounced the event as an instrument of hostile propaganda.

Historical Context of Intervision

• 🎶 Intervision originally ran from 1965 to 1980, showcasing artists from the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc with the aim of rivaling Western cultural events.