Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to address the Eurovision Song Contest final in the United Kingdom on Saturday has been denied by broadcasters.
In a statement posted on its website on Thursday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – an alliance of public service media organizations that oversees the event – stressed the importance of the “nonpolitical” nature of Eurovision.
“This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the Contest,” the EBU added.
“The request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the European Broadcasting Union management as it would be against the rules of the event,” the statement continued.
The Ukrainian leader would likely have continued his pattern of using addresses at high profile international events to draw attention to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Some background: This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is being held in the English city of Liverpool – with the grand final coming on Saturday. Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won last year, with a wave of support across Europe sweeping the nation to victory.
As is tradition, the winner earns the right to host the next year’s competition. But, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the UK is hosting this year’s event – the first time that the contest is being held on behalf of another nation. The UK’s entry came second last year.
The EBU says it has taken great pains to ensure that Ukrainian music and culture feature prominently throughout the live semi-final and grand final events, which are being hosted by British broadcaster the BBC on behalf of Ukraine’s public broadcaster, UA:PBC.
The EBU listed the appearance of 11 Ukrainian musical acts, collaborations with a Ukrainian design agency on branding and a series of 37 short films as examples of the “best way” to “reflect and celebrate Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest win and show we are United By Music during these hard times.”
