The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) says the Eurovision Song Contest isn't political, and argues that Russia's ban in 2022 was "fundamentally different".

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) says the Eurovision Song Contest isn’t political, and argues that Russia’s ban in 2022 was “fundamentally different”.

  • JochCool
    8•10 months ago

    It’s the second time politics has dominated Eurovision,

    Okay, this author has not been following Eurovision for very long then. Here are some that come to mind:

    • 1964: Stage invader protested against Spain’s and Portugal’s dictatorships
    • 1969: Organised by Spain
    • 1973: Israel debuts
    • 1977: BBC cameramen stike right before the contest
    • 1978: Israel wins
    • 1990s: Yugoslav Wars and dissolution of Soviet Union, with some countries participating while at war
    • 1998: Israel wins, with a trans performer
    • 2003: Invasion of Iraq, UK was allowed to participate but got last place
    • 2009: Azerbaijani government interrogates people who voted for Armenia, Georgian entry is anti-Putin
    • 2012: Organised by Azerbaijan
    • 2014: Start of Russo-Ukrainian war
    • 2016: Ukraine wins over televote favourite Russia
    • 2019: Organised by Israel
    • 2021: Belarusian entry being government propaganda
    • 2022: Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Eurovision has always been political.