Russia introduces 'Intervision' as its counterpart to the Eurovision Song Contest
The Intervision Song Contest is set to make its grand return this Saturday in Russia, marking a significant shift in Russian influence from the West to the East, Eurasia, and the Global South. Originally organized in 1965 in Prague, the contest has been revived as a soft-power tool, with a focus on anti-Western narratives.
Unlike its counterpart, Eurovision, no performers from an EU country will take part in the Intervision contest. Instead, traditional allies of Russia, such as Brazil, India, China, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, are participating. The Qatari singer Dana Al Meer and Madagascan duo Denise & D-Lain are among the artists representing their respective countries.
Russia's Shaman, a pro-Kremlin singer, will perform a ballad titled 'Straight to the Heart' at the contest. Each artist at the Intervision will sing in their mother tongue, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of the participating countries. This is in contrast to Eurovision where most songs are often sung in English.
The contest is being championed by Moscow as a rival to Eurovision, with the United States initially listed among participating countries. However, the USA ultimately did not participate with a delegation. The United States will be represented by Australian pop singer and songwriter Vasiliki Karagiorgos, known as Vassy.
Intervision's revival is contributing to the reorientation of Russian influence, as it aims to counter Western entertainment and replicate a typical Cold War competition. President Vladimir Putin has ensured that no performers or songs at the Intervision contest will contain perversions or abuses of human nature.
An international jury will decide the winner of the Intervision contest, unlike Eurovision where a public vote is also involved. The contest is being held in Russia on Saturday, with high hopes for its possible impact. Notably, Moscow has been banned from Eurovision over its Ukraine offensive, further fuelling the significance of the Intervision contest.
Russian state television paid for an Intervision advert to be blared on a giant screen in New York's Times Square, signalling the contest's global reach. The participating countries in Intervision represent 4.334 billion people, or more than half of the planet's population. The Intervision song contest is set to be an exciting event, promising to challenge the dominance of Eurovision and offer a fresh perspective on international music competitions.
