With cheering crowds, sparkling lights, hints of political plot, and the act of victory at Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc, the answer to the Russian Eurovision Song Contest – “Intershu” – gave the atmosphere similar to the competition that sparked it when he returned to Moscow on Saturday.
Fans wearing the colours of the country flocked the streets outside the “live arena” on the outskirts of Moscow, where 23 acts from around the world, including China, India and Brazil, competed for 30 million rubles ($360,000) and flocked to the streets outside of the “live arena” on the outskirts of Moscow. And there was no shortage of fans for the ultimate winner.
“I was shocked, thank you so much… I couldn’t even imagine winning such a massive (competition),” the delighted singer told reporters after the competition final. “It’s amazing that we’ve gained so many fans here. We’re so grateful to all our viewers,” he said.
Russia launched an international song contest at the request of President Vladimir Putin under Soviet-era names, and after being expelled from Eurovision, it performed an act aimed at promoting “traditional family values.”
But there were political hints when the expected US contestant, 42-year-old dual US citizen electronic music artist Vassy, dropped out at the final moments, like European competition notoriously for his political bloc-style recognition of votes.
“For reasons beyond the control of organizers and US delegations caused by unprecedented political pressure from the Australian government, singer Vassy (US and Australian citizens) will not be able to perform at the final show of the contest,” a statement from Interisis organizers said.
The announcement thwarted Moscow’s claim that politics was not imposed on the competition, even if organizers pointed out that former “deep purple” vocalist Jolin Turner remained “a full contestant” in the contest, sitting on the ju umpire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was present at the event, said, “We are not seeking political effects. We want to respect the original purpose of a person and their identities, realize it in free interaction with others, and enrich each other through the exchange of spiritual values.”
But the whims of political plot only helped to highlight the intermediate origins, the revival of Soviet-era singing contests by the same name that took place between 1965 and 1980. The intermediary iteration was intended to be a means of showing soft power by the Soviet Union, but also answered the European Euro Evidence Song Contest, created in 1956.
After Russia was kicked out of the Eurovision race in 2022 for a full invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials began planning a revival of Interbairi, and in February this year Putin officially signed the order for the event.
“We are confident that competition will become one of the most well-known and beloved things around the world, as we are spiritually enriched through dialogue, mutual respect and strengthening intercultural trust.”
Unlike the Eurovision, which is made up primarily of European countries, the middle has been caught up in actions from 23 countries around the world. It is primarily allied with Russia, including Brazil, China, Cuba and Venezuela, as well as former Soviet republics such as Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikisaton and Uzbekistan.
And many of the participants immediately provided sparkling reports.
“The stage was so powerful that I ate completely, couldn’t control my imagination and did my best on stage,” Tajikistani attendee Falk Hasanov told CNN shortly after the performance.
His rival in the United Arab Emirates, Saif al-Ali praised what he called the unity of the event.
“Today, 23 countries are playing here. Music is the language of the community,” Al Ali told CNN.
Many of the music had a similar europop vibe to Eurovision, but there was a big difference in the competition. Eurovision often celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity, but rainbow flags and other pride symbols were not intervened as the display of such symbols is banned in Russia.
Instead, the event had a clear “conflict” agenda. Moscow claims that competition is to introduce the “traditional values” of contestants’ home countries.
“Heterosexuality is extremely important to us,” one of the fans of the Russian attendee “Shaman” told CNN outside the concert venue.
According to Song Contest’s official guidelines, Interivision aims to “promote universal, spiritual, family, cultural, ethical and religious traditions in various countries.”
However, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Livimova said the competition was not about politics.
“The competition in intervals is not about political decisions, but about talented people. It is very important that the best, most talented and brightest performers who conquer the hearts of the audience win,” Livimova told Russian state news agency TASS.
It was time for the final announcement when the massive show approached the end and the ry umpire voted for the winner for Duc Phuc in Vietnam.
