Putin revives Soviet-era rival to Eurovision after Russia banned from contest
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a revival of the Soviet-era alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest, Intervision, which he claimed will counter the decadence of modern Western culture.
Mr Putin signed the decree on Monday, ordering the Intervision Song Contest be held in Moscow this year.
China, Cuba, Brazil and former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus are expected to take part.
The original Intervision was launched in the 1960s as the USSR’s alternative to Eurovision. […]
“The contest will be open for participation of all countries that wish to do so,” the planning documents said.
“Artists may not perform songs that call for violence, humiliate the honour and dignity of society, and it is required that political themes in the lyrics are completely excluded.”
Participants must “respect cultural, ethical and religious traditions of other peoples of the world”.
So basically it’s Eurovision but even more useless. Just what the world was needing. Can’t say I’m not at least slightly confused about Brazil being among the expected participants, though, given it was never a Soviet or communist state back then… the complete opposite, indeed, with the military dictatorship of the 60s using the threat of communism taking over like it did in Cuba to justify taking Brazil over themselves. Whatever, I suppose Ukraine is just glad to know it won’t be invited…
