Propaganda And Culture Wars Take Away All The Fun

Michael Hedges March 12, 2021 Follow on Twitter

It is the waning days of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Spring will arrive in a week or so, according to the calendar and not necessarily the weather. The arrival of spring, though, brings the onset of entrant nominees for the Eurovision Song Contest. It was not held last year due to the first coronavirus wave.

As the songs and artists are selected comes also, it seems, controversy. Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) executives from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are called upon to adhere the rules or listen to complaints from fans. It’s their job and they have long experience. They’ve seen - or heard - it all before.

This week EBU officially informed contest organizers in Belarus - state broadcaster BTRC - to change that tune. "It was concluded that the song puts the political nature of the contest in question," said the EBU statement, quoted by Deutsche Welle (March 11). "In addition, recent reactions to the proposed entry risk bringing the reputation of the ESC into disrepute.”

The song in question - “I'll teach you” by the group Galasy ZMesta - unabashedly glorifies the regime of Alexander Lukashenko and demonizes opponents who have been protesting a dodgy election for six months. The EBU “requested” BTRC “submit a modified version, or a new song, that is compliant with the ESC rules. Failure to do so could result in disqualification in this year’s Contest.” BTRC is “discussing” what to do next, reported news portal TUT.BY (March 12).

Elsewhere a couple of newly nominated entrants have stoked criticism from within their countries. In Cyprus the Orthodox Church complained about “El Diablo” by Elena Tsagkrinou as “praising the "fatalistic submission of humans to the devil's power." Cyprus public broadcaster CyBC chairman Andreas Frangos expressed no intention of dropping the song, reported CNN (March 3). "Any other interpretation has nothing to do with the meaning of the song, which especially nowadays should not only be applauded, but also be an inspiration not only for women but for anyone experiencing similar situations,” said a CyBC statement.

The Russian nominee entrant Manizha Sangin - known professionally as Manizha - is facing something of a culture battle over her tune “Russian Women,” which was selected on International Women’s Day. Russian nationalists are incensed that Manizha was born in Tajikistan and has expressed support of LGBTQ people, noted news portal Meduza (March 10). Others are supportive. “This doesn’t change all the shit that happens to all of us, but it’s so cool to feel that you are seen and supported, and not just in the Russian Federation,” said artist/activist Daria Serenko. There is no indication the tune will be withdrawn.

Armenian public television (AMPTV) withdrew last week from this years ESC. “Recent events, lack of time and other objective circumstances are incompatible with the proper representation of Armenia in the song contest,” said the statement, quoted by AFP (March 5). Singer Athena Manoukian had already been selected with the song “Chains on you.” The EBU expressed “understanding” and regrets.

The ESC will be held as previously scheduled in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from May 18th. Many of those selected for last years’ cancelled event have simply been rolled over to this year. There is a strict quarantine and testing procedure for all ESC participants.

See also...

• Hot Topics - Eurovision Song Contest

• Hot Topics - Media in Belarus

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