0:00
0:00
Putin Resurrects Soviet-Era Intervision Song Contest with Fresh Allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin brings back the Intervision Song Contest, extending invitations to countries such as China, Cuba, and Brazil to take part, while highlighting traditional values and creating a separation from the Eurovision.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the revival of the Intervision Song Contest, a Soviet-era counterpart to the Eurovision Song Contest, aiming to host the event in Moscow later this year.
This move comes in light of Russia's removal from Eurovision in 2022 due to its military activities in Ukraine, reflecting Putin's ongoing campaign against what he views as the moral decline of Western culture.
The reestablished Intervision will take place in Moscow, with anticipated participation from nations such as China, Cuba, Brazil, and several former Soviet republics including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus.
Originally launched in the 1960s under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the contest was intended to unite Eastern Bloc nations and other communist states, functioning as an ideological alternative to Eurovision.
Unlike Eurovision, which frequently highlights themes advocating LGBTQ+ rights, the Intervision will focus on upholding 'traditional universal, spiritual, and family values,' according to planning documents reviewed by Reuters.
Songs promoting violence, disrespecting societal dignity, or containing political messages will be banned.
Participants will have a maximum of four minutes to perform in any language they prefer, with the winner receiving a prize and a tour.
Russia’s exit from Eurovision in 2022 occurred amid escalating political tensions with the West, particularly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since that time, Putin has actively championed traditional family values, contrasting Russia's perspective with what he denounces as the West’s excessive individualism and disregard for religious customs.
Current domestic laws in Russia strictly prohibit the promotion of homosexuality, and the global LGBTQ+ movement is designated as extremist.
The reinstatement of Intervision underscores Russia's deepening isolation from the West, highlighting a priority on strengthening cultural and political connections with non-Western countries.
While the contest will be open to any country wishing to take part, it is evident that its values will closely reflect Russia’s governmental agenda and ideological beliefs.
This move comes in light of Russia's removal from Eurovision in 2022 due to its military activities in Ukraine, reflecting Putin's ongoing campaign against what he views as the moral decline of Western culture.
The reestablished Intervision will take place in Moscow, with anticipated participation from nations such as China, Cuba, Brazil, and several former Soviet republics including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus.
Originally launched in the 1960s under Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, the contest was intended to unite Eastern Bloc nations and other communist states, functioning as an ideological alternative to Eurovision.
Unlike Eurovision, which frequently highlights themes advocating LGBTQ+ rights, the Intervision will focus on upholding 'traditional universal, spiritual, and family values,' according to planning documents reviewed by Reuters.
Songs promoting violence, disrespecting societal dignity, or containing political messages will be banned.
Participants will have a maximum of four minutes to perform in any language they prefer, with the winner receiving a prize and a tour.
Russia’s exit from Eurovision in 2022 occurred amid escalating political tensions with the West, particularly after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since that time, Putin has actively championed traditional family values, contrasting Russia's perspective with what he denounces as the West’s excessive individualism and disregard for religious customs.
Current domestic laws in Russia strictly prohibit the promotion of homosexuality, and the global LGBTQ+ movement is designated as extremist.
The reinstatement of Intervision underscores Russia's deepening isolation from the West, highlighting a priority on strengthening cultural and political connections with non-Western countries.
While the contest will be open to any country wishing to take part, it is evident that its values will closely reflect Russia’s governmental agenda and ideological beliefs.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
