2023-05-12 09:28:02

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — At Eurovision, the European song festival this weekend, there will be Ukrainian flags, Ukrainian musicians and Ukrainian fans, but the country’s president will not be in attendance.

Organizers turned down Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request to give a speech via videoconference at the final of the pan-European tournament on Saturday. He was expected to call on the world to continue supporting Ukraine’s fight to repel the Russian invasion.

The European Broadcasting Union, responsible for Eurovision, claimed that allowing Zelenskyy’s message would violate “the apolitical nature of the event.”

“Unfortunately, the European Broadcasting Union cannot give in (to Zelenskyy’s request) to address the Eurovision audience since, although done with laudable intentions, it would go once morest the rules of the contest,” the organization said.

Founded in 1956 to help heal a war-torn continent, Eurovision strives to keep music and politics separate. Overtly political letters, signs, and symbols are prohibited.

But that exclusion is not total. Russia was banned following invading Ukraine in February 2022, and Belarus had been ousted the previous year over a government crackdown on dissent.

Ukraine claimed victory last year and Great Britain, who came second, took over hosting the event on their behalf.

Twenty-six nations will take part in Saturday’s live final at the Liverpool Arena, which will be co-hosted by Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina. During the show the winner, Kalush Orchestra, and other Ukrainian artists will perform. In addition, images of the country will be shown before the performance of each applicant, as usual.

“We believe that this is the best way to reflect and celebrate Ukraine’s victory at Eurovision and to show that we are united by music in these difficult times,” the organization added.

1683884976
#Organizers #reject #Zelenskyys #participation #Eurovision #final