Ukraine UKRAINE 2015 - not taking part

[Leydan]

Well, I'm happy Turkey is gone, but I am not happy about Ukraine. But I think Ukraine is one of the most overrated countries in recent history.

If Ukraine had the Slovenian songs, they would have won most of the recent ESC's, whereas Slovenia would have struggled to qualify with most Ukrainian songs.

Couldn't agree more with what you have put, Ukraine is consistently overrated while Slovenia for example is consistently underrated. I do still enjoy most Ukrainian entries though.

 

[Mlyn]

: -)

I watched all the Slovenian songs from 1993 until today, and all of them, except for 2002-2004 and 2007 (but the 00's sucked anyways) were AMAZING, whereas by Ukraine I am far less amazed. Except for Gravity last year, there is nothing worth to be labelled a masterpiece.

Songs like Tick-Tock or Anti-Crisis Girl are normally not Top 10 material, most countries would have flopped with generic kitsch like that.

Tick-Tock should have switched places with Switzerland, Belarus or Finland and Slovenia of course.

 

[Leydan]

: -)

I watched all the Slovenian songs from 1993 until today, and all of them, except for 2002-2004 and 2007 (but the 00's sucked anyways) were AMAZING, whereas by Ukraine I am far less amazed. Except for Gravity last year, there is nothing worth to be labelled a masterpiece.

Yes. I was so disappointed in 2012 When Slovenia failed yet Ukraine qualified. 2013 was a good song, but her singing was terrible and I felt Slovenia didn't deserve qualification after her performance.

 

[BGN]

Sport is sponsored by companies owned by private people, Eurovision is sponsored by NTU, national broadcaster, money go from the Ukrainian budget.

Your Eurovision expenses were covered by artists and producers, not by NTU - so basically it's the same.

 

[aletem]

Sport is sponsored by companies owned by private people, Eurovision is sponsored by NTU, national broadcaster, money go from the Ukrainian budget.

Ehmm, not your national teams in football, basketball, handball, volleyball.. I think what BGN is trying to say is that while the sport is entertainment, like Eurovision, or like movies/tv-shows, sport is still followed in the country. I know people follow the news constantly, but they also need break from all that to watch sports. Ukraine recently lost to Slovakia in football. There were people watching that game in Ukraine, so if Ukraine took part again in Vienna people would still watch them. But, if NTU is broke and has no conditions to apply/pay, then that's a different story. I wouldn't compare it with the crisis though.

 

[Odalis]

There is absolutely no logic in their press release. If the war was the reason, what will they be broadcasting in the coming months - black screen with sad background music? Maybe they will stop broadcasting sports, remove the beautiful girls from presenting the weather forecast and everything else which could make people in Ukraine smile for a second. And the most funny part is that they will broadcast the same competition, where they don't wanna taking part as there it's time only for teadrops. Missing the opportunity to cast a message in front of 190 millions people worldwide is not the most clever thing that a country in the situation of Ukraine could do.

I totally agree with that.
On top of that they should cancel The Voice, Dancing With Stars, comedy shows and other things going on the channels right freaking now.
I mean, i would absolutely understand that decision if other entertainment programs were cancelled as well but no, and they will broadcast Eurovision anyways.
Plus, the broadcaster has never paid contest expences, it has always been on a performer's team and i'm sure it's not hard to find someone to pay a participation fee.
I hear they are already getting offers.

It's really sad but i have a big "Huh??" about it in my head.
Hope they will change their minds. I don't wanna see 60th anniversary without one of the best ESC countries(

 

[BGN]

I think it's just a demonstration from the new CEO of NTU, but I'm not sure demonstration of what exactly it is. The Mika Newton's producer already stated that he will cover all expenses on the Ukrainian participation and criticsed NTU for not taking more detailed approach in considering the situation. So it's not true what NTU said in their announcement that they talked with some people which refused to take part and that means the decision is taken without any discussion actually. Mr Alasania is talking that they will be broadcasting the show and will most probably return in 2016. So we have at least 2 questions following this:
1.) How come broadcasting ESC matches their position that there is war and show programs are not appropriate? This question in the combination with the already given examples for other entertainment activities make their position very unconvincing.
2.) What exactly will change in 2016. Maybe NTU's Director General is some kind of medium and could see future.

It's also interesting how they will react on the proposed help as well. So following all this I think Ukraine is trying to say us something. Maybe that we should be booing the Russian representatives again as they are ultimately guilty for Ukrainian withdrawal or maybe they are trying to wring EBU's hands asking for better financial conditions. Or maybe something completely different - I'm not sure, but what I'm sure enough is what they've said in their press-release is not the whole truth behind the decision.

 

[hunty73]

Its obvious they have been told by the government to do this.The worlds focus has been more on the problems in the middle east and this is a way to focus the press back on the troubles in Ukraine.As mentioned even the BBC had it on the main news.Im not taking any sides on the problems/war as i dont understand them enough,but its pretty obvious this is designed to get a "poor Ukraine,nasty Russia" reaction in the west.The EBU need to keep a close eye on this situation and make sure it isnt manipulated for political reasons.So much for the crazy "Building Bridges" slogan of ESC 2015.They might wish they hadnt chosen that come the final.

 

[PamSwynford]

Well, this will be my stupid and understandable words, but in the midst of the worst destructions Croatia and BIH participated on the Eurovision Song Contest (and yes, on Croatian, Bosnias and Serbian side were dead people, so it's practically the same situation!!!), bit now when we are in peace, Serbia and BIH sent the preliminary application (seeking for sponsors, how yes no) and we don't know a single word from HRT. OK, that's their decision.
War in Ukraine is not the only reason they don't participate, I think I've read somewhere that they didn't pay the participation fee from 2010 (not sure for the year), and I think that Rinat Ahmetov (president of FC Sahtar Donjeck) paid for Mariya's performance in CPH. Maybe it's because the previous head garniture on NTU were like a phrase we have in Croatia "Kao pijani milijarderi" (like a drunken billionares).

 

[Mrm]

I dislike almost all Ukrainian entries in ESC, it's one of the worst ESC countries in my book..

I only love Alyosha - "Sweet people"..

 

[A-lister]

I dislike almost all Ukrainian entries in ESC, it's one of the worst ESC countries in my book..

I only love Alyosha - "Sweet people"..

I thought you liked the ESC entries of Mika, Gaytana & Zlata? What happened with that?

I guess politics have gone into your brain aswell then, pity.

 

[Mlyn]

I dislike almost all Ukrainian entries in ESC, it's one of the worst ESC countries in my book..

I only love Alyosha - "Sweet people"..

I only love Valentina Slatnabitchova, but only for her male beefcake dancers... not for the song

 

[Mrm]

[MENTION=4544]A-lister[/MENTION]

That's really stupid to say, I liked Gaitana's entry, but not loved, and Mika was OK..I never liked Zlata..

And I say stupid cause Mika Newton was actually "Russian puppet" that year..so according to your logic I should love her entry..

Jamala was fantastic, she should have won with "Smile"..

 

[GRE]

Their best entries:2004-2010-2013

 

[escYOUnited]

Please refrain from talking politics in the ESC section of the forum, we have a area dedicated for conversations like this so feel free to post there. Thank you!

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Sorry for Ukrainian fans but I guess this was inevitable

 

[Nikkita]

I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED IT'S A SHAME THAT WE CAN'T HAVE WEIRD STAGE SHOWS THIS YEAR

Seriously Ukraine was one of the best countries in the contest, i hope it's only for this year.

 

[yulichka]

Ehmm, not your national teams in football, basketball, handball, volleyball.. I think what BGN is trying to say is that while the sport is entertainment, like Eurovision, or like movies/tv-shows, sport is still followed in the country. I know people follow the news constantly, but they also need break from all that to watch sports. Ukraine recently lost to Slovakia in football. There were people watching that game in Ukraine, so if Ukraine took part again in Vienna people would still watch them. But, if NTU is broke and has no conditions to apply/pay, then that's a different story. I wouldn't compare it with the crisis though.

I understood that.
But there is no money, so is there any point to argue about comparison with sports and other TV shows not sponsored by national budget? Majority of Ukrainians were very happy with the decision and to be honest this majority looked at Poland and other countries refusing to participate with envy (I heard from many-many people sarcastic comments like - Why would we refuse? We are one of the richest country in Europe anyway). Euvrovision is not a big deal in here. TV shows and sports attract money and viewers, Euvrovision - no. Who watches 2-hour long show with freaks singing boring songs in different languages? My family and most of my friends don't. They only check the next day who won and what place did our participant took. Nothing more.

 

[pressman]

I DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED IT'S A SHAME THAT WE CAN'T HAVE WEIRD STAGE SHOWS THIS YEAR

Don't worry about that, Moldova's still in.

 

[Sean]

Who watches 2-hour long show with freaks singing boring songs in different languages? My family and most of my friends don't. They only check the next day who won and what place did our participant took. Nothing more.

Why are you a member on a Eurovision fan forum then?

I understand you didn't mention yourself behaving in the same way but you seem quite negative...