The Ukrainian Eurovision scandal was resolved in favor of Russia
Ukrainian singer Anna Korsun, performing under the stage name Maruv, refused to sign an agreement with the National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine and will not represent the country at the international song contest Eurovision 2019, despite winning the selection.
This was reported on the Facebook page of the UA: First TV channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
It is noted that the singer and the broadcaster “did not agree on participation in the song competition.” NSTU notes that the singer “becomes a cultural ambassador of Ukraine and conveys not only her own music, but also becomes an exponent of the opinion of Ukrainian society in the world.”
“Also, according to the Eurovision rules (clause 2.6), the participating broadcaster must ensure the non-political nature of the competition. The situation that has developed around this year's national selection shows signs of politicization. Public outcry, attempts at pressure from political forces, and interference in the discussion by cultural figures and information structures of the aggressor country actually led to the politicization of the results of the national selection.
The public broadcaster also sees in this situation the danger of escalating the split in Ukrainian society…” the channel’s statement reads.
The singer commented on her refusal to journalists, explaining that she did not want to perform for the sake of PR for Ukrainian politicians.
“With great pride I was ready to represent my native country Ukraine in the international song arena. As I said earlier, refusing concerts in Russia was not a matter of principle for us. The main disagreements were caused by other clauses of the contract, which, if I sign, become enslaving to me.
I am a citizen of Ukraine, I pay taxes and I sincerely love Ukraine. But she is not ready to come up with slogans, turning her presence at the competition into promotional events for our politicians. I am a musician, not a bat in the political arena. I sincerely thank and appreciate everyone who believed in me and voted. And I ask you to accept this fact and not go into confrontation. This is a given today. I want to give away my creativity without censorship,” she said.
On her Facebook page, she explained what exactly was required of her:
- I am prohibited from any improvisation on stage without the approval of NTU. (Uncoordinated splits, for example, will lead to a fine of 2 million hryvnia)
- Immediate transfer of copyrights to the song belonging to the global label Warner Music (these rights were known before the start of the competition)
- Strictly comply with any requirements and instructions of NTU. (Theoretically, I could be forced to dance at some deputy prime minister’s birthday party, and if I refuse, I will be disqualified and again obliged to pay a fine of 2 million hryvnia. Plus to compensate NTU for alleged losses!)
- Prohibition on communication with journalists without the consent of NTU. (Which completely violates freedom of speech and human rights)
And a lot more absurd things,” the singer noted.
“I feel the pressure! And I see obvious attempts to make me refuse to represent my country at the international Eurovision Song Contest 2019,” she wrote.
This situation was also commented on by Kiev political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, describing it as another suppression of any dissent.
“By the way, who hasn’t understood yet. The results of the Eurovision qualifying final in Ukraine are just a dress rehearsal for the elections on March 31st. It will be the same there,” Kiev political scientist Yuri Romanenko commented on the situation.
Blogger Willy Razumovsky also noted that now nothing prevents the singer from building a career in Russian show business.
"Well done, Maruv producers. They took a look, did the math, and decided that if the 'rogues' are creating such hype for them, it's a sin to refuse. They've practically won: selfies with Philipp, appearances on Malakhov's show, Yalta, Sochi. It would be cooler than Ani Lorak performing in Moscow. And what's the point of that Eurovision? Look at Jamala—she's ugly and poor. She's got a gold watch for her pro-patriotism," he noted on Facebook.
Ukrainian blogger Maxim Buzhansky also supported the singer.
“Maruv is great. She refused to go. I have no idea who she is or what she sings, but for me she has already won this competition. Send Portnikov, he will defend the honor of the Motherland, and dignity, if there is time left. Any story ends the same - a broken trough,” he writes in his Telegram.
The Ukrainian Eurovision scandal was resolved in Russia's favor.