Russia Revives Cold War-Era Intervision Song Contest
Russia revived the Intervision song contest, a Cold War-era alternative to Eurovision, in Moscow on September 20, 2023. The event, first suggested by President Vladimir Putin in 2009, gained momentum after Russia's exclusion from Eurovision. It aimed to celebrate national traditions and lasted about four hours, despite the absence of audience voting.
Intervision 2023 brought together 23 artists from 23 countries, including former Soviet republics and allies like China and Brazil, but no EU member states participated. The contest faced criticism for its excessive talk segments and lack of memorable music. However, it provided a platform for Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc, who is openly gay and released music videos with gay themes, to win the competition.
The event was marred by political controversy. U.S. entrant Vassy withdrew at the last minute, fearing she would express support for Russia's LGBT community on stage. Despite featuring world-class performers and having a big budget, Intervision could not shake off Russia's political baggage.
The relaunched Intervision, held after a 43-year hiatus, struggled to find its place in the modern world. While it offered a platform for diverse artists and celebrated national traditions, it failed to provide a convincing reason for its existence beyond politics. The event's future remains uncertain.
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