Finland is ready to withdraw from Eurovision 2022: Russia must be completely excluded
Finland's broadcaster is ready to withdraw from Eurovision 2022: Russia must be completely excluded from Eurovision
Finland's public broadcaster YLE now reacts to EBU's decision to allow Russia to participate at Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
Director of YLE's Creative Content and Media Unit, Ville Vilé, stated:
– Russia's attack on Ukraine is contrary to all the values that YLE and other European broadcasters represent. YLE always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity.
EBU said on Thursday, that the war will not affect Russia's or Ukraine's participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in May, arguing that Eurovision is a "non-political cultural event".
YLE is ready to withdraw, if EBU doesn't change their decision:
– YLE cannot take part in an event where Russia, which has blatantly attacked these values, can use one of Europe's best-known brands to advance its own interests. I hope that the EBU will act in accordance with its values here.
Finland's representative for Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will be selected tomorrow night at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2022 (UMK 2022).
– Yle's UMK has been successfully presenting new domestic music for ten years. We will have some great songs and artists in the finals this year as well. I believe and hope that one of them will have the opportunity to perform in May for the whole of Europe, Ville Vilén says.
EBU: Russia can still participate
According to Swedish broadcaster SVT, EBU said on Thursday that the Russian invasion of Ukraine will not affect Russia's or Ukraine's participation in Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in May:
– We are a non-political cultural event, says EBU to SVT.
– The purpose of the competition is to unite nations and celebrate diversification through music. Both Russia and Ukraine have previously been invited and for now we plan to welcome both countries in May.
9 countries' broadcasters have asked the EBU to ban Russia from participating in Eurovision Song Contest 2022:
