Russia RUSSIA 2022 - not taking part

[escYOUnited]

 

[Geborgenheit]

Putin probably doesn't care much. A symbolic decision which doesn't help Ukraine.

 

[I bims]

I think the victory is ours. It wouldn't have happened without the pressure from the fans.

Next on the agenda: Bullying our politicians to remove Russia from SWIFT...

 

[EscGeek]

you guys are so emotional over this.

I'm happy you're happy. Now I'm gonna listen to 2009 because i love the song

 

[Betwixt Tales]

About time EBU woke up to the reality of the situation. And so embarrassing and unacceptable that it took them this long to come to the (right) decision.

I feel SO much better, knowing we don't have to sit through the very uncomfortable performance from a Russian entry. This year's Eurovision has just been saved, IMO. Because if Russia had been allowed to compete, I would not have been comfortable watching the show.

 

[DanielLuis]

I think the victory is ours. It wouldn't have happened without the pressure from the fans.

It wouldn't have happened without broadcasters threatening to withdraw.

 

[I bims]

About time EBU woke up to the reality of the situation. And so embarrassing and unacceptable that it took them this long to come to the (right) decision.

I feel SO much better, knowing we don't have to sit through the very uncomfortable performance from a Russian entry. This year's Eurovision has just been saved, IMO. Because if Russia had been allowed to compete, I would not have been comfortable watching the show.

Ngl I'm still not fully comfortable, the russian attack isn't going as well as they hoped so maybe it's over quick and Ukraine is in a better position in May (unlikely though, sadly). Right now it's still a nightmare, especially when Sweden and Finland have been threatened as well.

I'm happy the EBU did this but this is just symbolic again.

 

[Betwixt Tales]

Kinda ridiculous after yesterday's statement when the situation hasn't changed at all...

Exactly. It comes off as hypocritical after they said Russia was welcome when it was so obvious to everyone else that it was wrong.

 

[hijirio]

finally

 

[Sammy]

While this is true, the EBU should do their best to prevent the contest itself in May of becoming too political. They have banned Belarus, so why would it be a risk now?
We have seen what Azerbaijan and Armenia were able to cause.
And we have already seen reactions to Russia in the past.
It might be a political statement to ban them now, but if they don’t, then we will have the most political contest ever, that’s for sure.
They might be able to control the songs, but not the behavior of the people. And I don’t think people, whether they are artists, spokespersons or the audience, are going to stay silent, if Russia participates.

I'm not entirely sure if your whole post is a reaction to my post, because I fully agree with you and nothing in my post would suggest anything different. I was pointing out that the argument of the EBU "we allow Russia on stage because the ESC is an apolitical event" does not stand a closer inspection because allowing them IS already a political side-taking.

 

[Brandt]

"Kicked out" would have been more pleasing to my eyes than "Not taking part" but I'll take either.

 

[ESC94]

It will probably sound mean but being excluded feels like a big piece of cancer is removed.

 

[Betwixt Tales]

Ngl I'm still not fully comfortable, the russian attack isn't going as well as they hoped so maybe it's over quick and Ukraine is in a better position in May (unlikely though, sadly). Right now it's still a nightmare, especially when Sweden and Finland have been threatened as well.

I'm happy the EBU did this but this is just symbolic again.

It is symbolic, yet it robs them of giving the image that everything they are doing is fine. It prevents Putin from using it as propaganda, showing his people that the rest of Europa welcomes them.

 

[Mainshow]

I know that this won´t help people fighting for their lives and the existence of their country.
I know that Putin´s regime won´t give a damn about this.

BUT it´s a tiny victory and adds something to the bigger picture (no Eurovision participation, no Formula 1, no UEFA matches, no handball matches, suspension from the European Council).. all these things increase some pressure on Russia which likes to present itself as a democractic, free, strong and prestigious country.
Hopefully, this will also make some Russian people think otherwise: That their regime did something wrong so that they got banned from being part of all these events/institutions etc.

Why are we emotional about this? We are Eurovision fans and we want a fair and entertaining edition - We care about humanity, dignity and the sovereignity of different countries.

In theory, music should unite Europe but we shouldn´t forget that Russia isn´t participating in Eurovision - their broadcasters are and they didn´t follow EBU´s rules in the end. What did change since yesterday? The Russian authorities started to officially dictate and decide what information and which footage can be broadcast - That´s a clear violation and breach of EBU´s rules/values - even if they tried to stay neutral at first.

And let us not forget: Which artist would have represented Russia this year? - Since the broadcasters choose their act - and they have to follow what the Russian regime tells them to do/show/broadcast - , we wouldn´t have got any artist who even levelled some criticism at war and thus, they would have made use of Eurovision as a platform to share their propganda and intentionally harm Russian artists who don´t follow or support the regime.

It´s the right thing to do for now - Russia can always come back and should be allowed to come back IF they respect European borders and have free media again.

 

[Sammy]

Putin probably doesn't care much. A symbolic decision which doesn't help Ukraine.

Putin is a narcissist. This might not change his politics but it affects him personally. And the thought of that alone is deeply satisfying.

 

[Leydan]

In the grand scheme of things it is something small, and obviously something Putin doesn't give a damn about but being excluded from all these events 1 by 1 sends a message even if it's a small one. It prevents the regime from using that Eurovision platform for their propaganda machine and it prevents the ugly scenes we will see when the Russian entry goes on stage. It's always sad to see countries not take part but this was the best decision, just wish the EBU took the initiative and did it first and not only when their hand gets forced.

 

[Geborgenheit]

Putin is a narcissist. This might not change his politics but it affects him personally. And the thought of that alone is deeply satisfying.

Putin is against western values, so excluding Russia from the contest which is promoting these values, will not affect him. It feels good for us, Eurovision fans, though.

 

[ArmpitOfEurope]

Funny how they only did it once countries started threatening to leave.
Bye bye Russia

 

[GermanBango]

Eh … guess I choose the wrong time to go grocery shopping then.
Now I can stay with y’all and don’t have to leave the fandom because the EBU found it’s micro balls. Yay party!

 

[Jonkonfui]

With the clsrity of mind it gives me being totally drunk I declare: Russia go and fuck urself in Eurovision and outside... And eurofans please wake up it is not now that Russia is Russia so please dont wet your pants everytime Russia sends a crap song million voices my ass style and start ignoring Russia. What is Russia?

 

[Mainshow]

I still slightly disagree with this statement.

Eurovision still has "some value" - even in politiccs of former Soviet countries, including Russia.

I can still remember foreign ministers or ministers of culture to "officially apologise" to Russia for not awarding any/many points.
Also, the Russian broadcasters have made use of Eurovision to whitwash the image of the country (or even slightly provoke/fool others?) aka submitting peace ballads whilst attacking other countries and annexing their territories.

Eurovision: Azerbaijan probes Russian 'nul points'

The president of Azerbaijan orders an investigation into why his country gave Russia "nul points" at Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest.

www.bbc.com

"We sincerely hope that this incident, possibly initiated by certain interest groups, will not cast a shadow over the brotherly relations of the Russian and Azerbaijani peoples," he said, without elaborating.