EBU bans Russia from Eurovision 2022!

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Officialy today EBU has decided to exclude Russia from Eurovision 2022 in Turin.

After the latest news been spread all over Europe and the world, among with the intention of many countries to withdraw from the contest, EBU has changed their initial desicion and announced that Russia is not able to compete in this year’s Eurovision.

The statement that has been published by the official page of Eurovision Song Contest and shared also in their social media reported:

“The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced that no Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU.

The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee.

The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute.

Before making this decision the EBU took time to consult widely among its membership.

The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service.

We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage.”

You can find the statement in the official page of Eurovision Song Contest.

Stay tuned in EurovisionFun for all the latest news!

 

Estonia: ”We won’t participate if Russia is allowed to participate”

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The last hours are difficult for this year’s Eurovision, due to the pressures of  Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Georgia, but also Finland, that in fact threatens to withdraw from the competition. Estonia is also taking the side of Ukraine, pressuring EBU to recall Russia’s participation at this year’s contest.

Specifically, like Finland, the Estonian National Broadcasting Corporation reports that it will decide whether or not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest depending on whether Russia participates in it or not. According to Erik Roose, Chairman of the Board of ERR (Estonian Public Broadcasting), ERR has contacted EBU on this issue and states that depending on the further organization of the song contest, a relevant decision will be made to participate or not.

”Obviously, it is inconceivable that Estonia will participate in this year’s Eurovision in which Russia also participates. Our colleagues from the other Baltic countries will obviously share this view. We will continue to contact the EBU as the organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest”

Erik Roose

 

Estonia is going to compete on the second half of the second semifinal with STEFAN and his song Hope. You can listen to the song here:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news!

Finland: Broadcaster Yle states they won’t participate if EBU allows Russia’s participation in Turin!

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The developments regarding Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 and the rest of the countries’ reactions are truly rapid. Following the statements of the public broadcasters of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, the broadcaster of Finland (Yle) also asks the EBU not to allow the participation of Russia, while going one step further, stating that in case Russia’s participation is eventually allowed, then they are not going to send their own representative to Turin!

Russia’s attack on Ukraine runs counter to all the values ​​represented by Yle and other European broadcasters. Yle has always defended western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity. Yle can not take part in an event where Russia, which has blatantly attacked these values, can use one of Europe’s best-known brands to promote its own interests. We hope the EBU will act in accordance with its values.

Yle

Finland is due to select its representative for Eurovision 2022 tomorrow, Saturday, February 26th.

For the countries that have already spoken up against Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022, you can refer to our previous article.

We remind you that the EBU, at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stated the following:

The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political – cultural event that unites countries and celebrates differences through music. EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have pledged to attend this year’s event in Turin and we intend to welcome them and let artists from both countries participate in May. Of course, we continue to monitor developments closely.

EBU

What will the EBUs reaction be after the pressure it’s receiving from several of its members? What will the final decision on Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 be?

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

Eurovision 2022: After Sweden, four more countries take a stance against Russia’s participation in Turin!

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The EBU‘s response about Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 did not satisfy Norway, Denmark, Lithuania and the Netherlands which, after Sweden, ask the EBU to reconsider its decision and not allow Russia to participate in the competition.

Following the request of the Ukrainian public television for expulsion of the corresponding Russian from the EBU, the latter in a statement underlined the apolitical nature of the competition and that it has no authority to punish its members (public radio and television), for acts committed by governments of their countries.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political – cultural event that unites countries and celebrates differences through music. EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have pledged to attend this year’s event in Turin and we intend to welcome them and let artists from both countries participate in May. Of course, we continue to monitor developments closely.

EBU

However, this response did not satisfy Sweden, which, through SVT CEO Hanna Stjärne, asked the EBU to reconsider its decision on Russia. Today, four more broadcasters have been added to the list, those of Lithuania, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.

Lithuania‘s general director of public television, Monika Garbaciauskaite, said in a statement today that she would soon raise the issue of Russia’s participation with the EBU. Norwegian public broadcaster has also just released a statement taking a clear stance. In a similar climate, the Danish public television informed the EBU that it is opposed to Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 and so did the dutch one AVROTROS a few minutes ago.

However, we have also had statements from the television of Finland, which, although they state that it is the responsibility of the EBU to make any decision regarding Russia’s participation, emphasize that they are closely monitoring the issue and will take a position on it soon.

Eurovision 2022 artists have also started taking a stance against Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022, as this year’s representatives of Latvia, Citi Zēni, have also personally asked the EBU not to allow the country that started a war in Europe to take part in the competition.

https://twitter.com/citi_zeni/status/1496959252925014017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1496959252925014017%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F2022%2F02%2Feurovision-2022-CEBCCEB5CF84CEAC-CF84CEB7CEBD-CF83CEBFCF85CEB7CEB4CEAFCEB1-CEB4CEB1CEBDCEAFCEB1-CEBACEB1CEB9-CEBBCEB9CEB8CEBFCF85CEB1CEBD%2F

We are awaiting with interest the reactions from the other members of the EBU, but also for the final decision regarding Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments!

Sweden: Watch clips from the first rehearsals of the fourth Melodifestivalen 2022 semi-final!

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As usual, a few hours before each Melodifestivalen semi-final, SVT published the rehearsal clips of all seven competing artists of the fourth semi-final of February the 26th.

A while ago, the 30 second rehearsal clips of the fourth semi-final got published! You can watch the published clips, by clicking on the song title links below:

The competing songs of the fourth semi-final:

The lyrics of the songs were published on Tuesday February the 22th, which you can read in more detail, in our corresponding article.

The process

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2022, which will take place on the 12th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the fifth semi-final, held on the 5th of March. There will be four semi-finals in total.

Oscar Zia presents all the shows of Melodifestivalen 2022, while due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the shows for the national selection process that will represent Sweden in Turin this year, will be held exclusively in Stockholm!

Melodifestivalen 2022 finals will he held on the 12th of March, when we will get to know who will be selected as a representative for Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin!

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2022 is described below:

  • First Semi-Final on the 5th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Second Semi-Final on the 12th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Third Semi-Final on the 19th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Fourth Semi-Final on the 26th of February, at Friends Arena
  • Fifth Semi-Final on the 5th of March, at Friends Arena
  • The Final on the 12th of March, at Friends Arena

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2022!

Australia: The jury members of Australia Decides 2022 was revealed!

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On February 26, Australia is about to pick its representative for Eurovision through Australia Decides 2022. A few hours ago the running order of the artists was revealed while since 10:00 p.m. AEST, the Australian public can vote for their favorite artist until Saturday night by sending an SMS. In the Australian final, the public determines 50% of the total result and jury the remaining 50%.

For the first time ever, Eurovision fans around the world will also be able to tune in to watch Eurovision – Australian Decides live with SBS On Demand removing its geo-block for the TV event. The event will be available to stream live on Saturday 26th February at 8.30pm AEDT.

The 11 competing artists are:

  1. G-Nat!on – “Bite Me“
  2. Erica Padilla – “To the Bottom“
  3. Seann Miley Moore – “My Body“
  4. Charley – “I Suck At Being Lonely“
  5. Andrew Lambrou – “Electrify”
  6. Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same“
  7. Paulini – “We Are One”
  8. Jaguar Jonze – “Little Fires“
  9. Isaiah Firebrace and Evie Irie – “When I’m With You“
  10. Voyager – “Dreamer”
  11. Jude York – “I Won’t Need to Dream“

A few hours ago the jury members were revealed:

  • Darren Hayes (former singer of Savage Garden)
  • Alexandra Rotan (singer of KEiiNO – Νοrway 2019)
  • Millie Petriella ( member of APRA – AMCOS)
  • Emily Griggs (SBS Head of Food and Entertainment)
  • Paul Clarke (producer)

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Australia’s participation in Eurovision 2022!

The official EBU announcement regarding Russia’s participation

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After SVT’s pressure to exclude Russia from Eurovision Song Contest 2022, the EBU has said that Russia remains welcome at Eurovision 2022.

Jo Waters, Senior Communications Officer of the EBU made an official statement:

As the situation between Russia and Ukraine escalates, access to trusted, factual and impartial information is more critical than ever.

All media broadcasters and the EBU as a union are focused on doing our job for the public in difficult circumstances and will not hesitate to condemn any infringements or violations of press freedom.

It is vital for journalists to be allowed to continue to operate both freely and safely, and report without hindrance. Supporting media freedom must be prioritized, not despite these challenging circumstances, but because of them.

This situation puts the EBU in a difficult position. It is not the governments that are members of the EBU, but the broadcasters. The EBU is not in the position to sanction a member based on the actions of its government. They could claim – as UA:PBC suggested – that the broadcaster violated the member’s codes of conduct – as happened with Belarus.

When the EBU suspended Yugoslavia’s membership in the 1990s, their action was based on a UN Security Council Resolution. This will not happen with Ukraine, since Russia is a permanent member of the council and has the rights of veto power.

Should the EBU choose to suspend membership from Russia, this would be the second time in 12 months that a broadcaster has lost its membership from the EBU. In July 2021, the Belarusian public broadcaster had its EBU membership suspended for failing to meet its freedom of expression obligations.

Ukraine in the top 3 of the betting odds, Russia out of the top 20!

While all of the above is happening, Ukraine has rose again in the betting odds, despite replacing Alina Pash with Kalush Orchestra. They are currently in third place, unlike Russia who has been on a steady fall over the last few hours, and as a result are in 21st place as of now.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

Russia is welcome at Eurovision 2022, says EBU | Sweden’s SVT asks to review this decision!

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The EBU in its statements today, immediately after the start of the Russian attack on Ukraine, stated that Russia remains welcome at Eurovision 2022.

Russia is welcome in Eurovision 2o22

Following the EBU’s statement that Russia remains open to the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, the SVT CEO of the Swedish public service broadcaster called on the EBU to reconsider.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event that unites countries and celebrates differences through music. EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have committed to participating in this year’s event in Turin and we intend to welcome and let artists from both countries participate in May. Of course, we continue to follow developments closely.

EBU

Sweden is asking EBU reconsider its decision

Speaking to the GP, Hanna Stjärne, CEO of SVT, shared her thoughts on the EBU statement, noting:

The EBU needs to rethink. I sympathise with the basic idea of ​​Eurovision as an apolitical event. But the situation in Europe is extremely serious, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It crosses all boundaries. We have called on the EBU to change and will follow developments closely.

SVT

SVT is the first broadcaster to comment publicly on whether Russia should be able to compete in Eurovision 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine this morning.

Ukraine demands expulsion of Russia from the EBU

Earlier, Ukrainian public television asked the EBU to suspend membership of the Russian Public Television Association. Specifically they state:

key values ​​of public service broadcasting;
ensuring freedom of speech and information; free formation of points of view;
development of intercultural dialogue;

In a letter to the President of the European Broadcasting Union, Delphine Ernotte, the Chairman of the Board of Suspilne Mykola Chernotytskyy called on the EBU to:

We recognize that the process of terminating or suspending EBU membership requires careful consideration by the EBU Executive Board and referral to the EBU General Assembly. In the meantime, we call on the EBU to respond now to the unacceptable situation caused by Russia with the support of its essentially state broadcasters that are members of the EBU.

You can read the full letter here.

Should the EBU choose to suspend its membership from Russia, this will be the second time in 12 months that a broadcaster has lost its membership of the EBU. In July 2021, the Belarusian public broadcaster was suspended as a member of the EBU for failing to fulfill its obligations of freedom of expression.

In the top 3 of bets is Ukraine, except for the top 20 is Russia

While all of the above is happening, Ukraine has risen again in betting, despite the replacement of Alina Pash with the Kalush Orchestra. At the moment it is in the third place, in contrast to Russia which is in a continuous descent in the last hours, as a result of which it is in the 21st place at the time of writing!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments!

 

Australia: The running order of Australia Decides 2022!

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Earlier today, the running order of the Australian National Final, Australia Decides 2022 was announced! Eleven amazing acts will perform for the chance to represent the nation in Turin, in May, with the winner chosen by a jury and public votes.

The artists’ running order is as follows:

  1. G-Nat!on – “Bite Me“
  2. Erica Padilla – “To the Bottom“
  3. Seann Miley Moore – “My Body“
  4. Charley – “I Suck At Being Lonely“
  5. Andrew Lambrou – “Electrify”
  6. Sheldon Riley – “Not the Same“
  7. Paulini – “We Are One”
  8. Jaguar Jonze – “Little Fires“
  9. Isaiah Firebrace and Evie Irie – “When I’m With You“
  10. Voyager – “Dreamer”
  11. Jude York – “I Won’t Need to Dream“

Alongside the performances of the 11 entrants, Australia Decides will feature performances from special guests such as KEiiNO who represented Norway in 2019 with “Spirit In The Sky” as well as Australia Decides 2020 winner, Montaigne! Australia Decides 2022, will be hosted by Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst live on SBS on 26 February 2022 at 12:30AM CET.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding Australia’s participation in Eurovision 2022!

Source: SBS/Aussievision

Sweden: Listen to the song snippets of the fourth semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2022!

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The Swedish national selection process moves on to the fourth semi final the upcoming Saturday, February the 26th! The fourth semi final of the national selection process of Sweden, will take place at Friends Arena in Stockholm.

As usual, a couple of days before each Melodifestivalen semi-final, SVT publishes snippets of all seven competing songs of the semi-final. A while ago, the song snippets of the upcoming semi-final got released, you can listen to them by clicking on the respective song title.

The competing songs of the fourth semi-final:

The process

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2022, which will take place on the 12th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the fifth semi-final, held on the 5th of March. There will be four semi-finals in total.

Oscar Zia presents all the shows of Melodifestivalen 2022, while due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the shows for the national selection process that will represent Sweden in Turin this year, will be held exclusively in Stockholm!

Melodifestivalen 2022 finals will he held on the 12th of March, when we will get to know who will be selected as a representative for Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin!

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2022 is described below:

  • First Semi-Final on the 5th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Second Semi-Final on the 12th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Third Semi-Final on the 19th of February, at the Avicii Arena
  • Fourth Semi-Final on the 26th of February, at Friends Arena
  • Fifth Semi-Final on the 5th of March, at Friends Arena
  • The Final on the 12th of March, at Friends Arena

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 12th of March?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2022 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2022!

Source: SVT