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Wednesday, Feb 05, 2025
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Putin Resurrects the Soviet-Era Intervision Song Contest Alongside New Allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin resurrects the Intervision Song Contest, extending invitations to nations such as China, Cuba, and Brazil to take part, highlighting traditional values and creating a distinction from Eurovision.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has mandated the reinstatement of the Intervision Song Contest, the Soviet-era counterpart to the Eurovision Song Contest, with plans to hold the event in Moscow later this year.
This decision comes in the wake of Russia's exclusion from Eurovision in 2022, which was a result of its military actions in Ukraine, and is in line with Putin's ongoing campaign against what he sees as the moral decline of Western culture.
The newly revived Intervision is set to take place in Moscow, with participants anticipated to include nations like China, Cuba, Brazil, and various former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus.
Originally launched in the 1960s under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the contest aimed to unite Eastern Bloc countries and other communist nations, serving as an ideological response to Eurovision.
Unlike Eurovision, which frequently highlights themes supporting LGBTQ+ rights, Intervision will focus on upholding 'traditional universal, spiritual and family values,' as outlined in planning documents reviewed by Reuters.
Performances that endorse violence, disrespect societal dignity, or contain political lyricism will be forbidden.
Participants will have a maximum of four minutes to perform in any language of their choice, with the victor receiving a prize and an opportunity to go on tour.
Russia's withdrawal from Eurovision in 2022 was influenced by escalating political tensions between Moscow and the West, particularly following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since that time, Putin has consistently advocated for traditional family values, positioning Russia's stance as a critique of what he deems the West’s excessive individualism and disregard for religious customs.
Current domestic policies in Russia impose strict bans on the promotion of homosexuality, while the international LGBTQ+ movement is categorized as extremist.
The revival of Intervision highlights Russia's increasing estrangement from the West, with a focus on enhancing cultural and political connections with non-Western countries.
Although the event will welcome participation from any interested nation, it is evident that the contest’s values will closely align with Russia’s governmental agenda and ideological beliefs.
This decision comes in the wake of Russia's exclusion from Eurovision in 2022, which was a result of its military actions in Ukraine, and is in line with Putin's ongoing campaign against what he sees as the moral decline of Western culture.
The newly revived Intervision is set to take place in Moscow, with participants anticipated to include nations like China, Cuba, Brazil, and various former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus.
Originally launched in the 1960s under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the contest aimed to unite Eastern Bloc countries and other communist nations, serving as an ideological response to Eurovision.
Unlike Eurovision, which frequently highlights themes supporting LGBTQ+ rights, Intervision will focus on upholding 'traditional universal, spiritual and family values,' as outlined in planning documents reviewed by Reuters.
Performances that endorse violence, disrespect societal dignity, or contain political lyricism will be forbidden.
Participants will have a maximum of four minutes to perform in any language of their choice, with the victor receiving a prize and an opportunity to go on tour.
Russia's withdrawal from Eurovision in 2022 was influenced by escalating political tensions between Moscow and the West, particularly following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since that time, Putin has consistently advocated for traditional family values, positioning Russia's stance as a critique of what he deems the West’s excessive individualism and disregard for religious customs.
Current domestic policies in Russia impose strict bans on the promotion of homosexuality, while the international LGBTQ+ movement is categorized as extremist.
The revival of Intervision highlights Russia's increasing estrangement from the West, with a focus on enhancing cultural and political connections with non-Western countries.
Although the event will welcome participation from any interested nation, it is evident that the contest’s values will closely align with Russia’s governmental agenda and ideological beliefs.
