Ukrainian singer was not allowed to Eurovision in Israel because of concerts in Russia

Singer MARUV, who won the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision song contest in 2019, will not represent Ukraine at the event in Israel. The reason is said to be the performer's tour in Russia, but she herself claims that this is not the most important point in the negotiations.

On February 23, the final of the national selection for Eurovision 2019 took place in Kyiv, during which, based on the results of voting by the jury and the audience, it was decided that the singer MARUV will represent Ukraine at the song competition in Israel, recalls Ukrainian Truth. It turned out that the performer was touring in Russia and she had solo concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg ahead of her.

On February 25, MARUV stated that she was ready to refuse to perform in Russia, but, according to her, the National Television Company made “absurd” demands on her in the contract.

“After the negotiations, JSC NSTU and the singer MARUV did not find a common solution regarding the mission of the representative of Ukraine at the international song competition,” the television company notes.

The department claims that according to the Eurovision rules, the participant must “ensure a non-political character.”

“The situation that has developed around this year’s national selection has signs of politicization,” the statement says.

“Public outcry, attempts at pressure from political forces, interference in the discussion by cultural figures and information structures of the aggressor country actually led to the politicization of the results of the national selection,” representatives of the television company added.

The company also sees in the situation “the danger of escalating the split in Ukrainian society.”

MARUV stated on her page in Facebookthat the refusal of concerts in Russia was not for her a fundamental point of agreement.

“As I said earlier, refusing concerts in Russia was not a matter of principle for us. The main disagreements were caused by other clauses of the contract, which become enslaving to me if I sign them. I am a citizen of Ukraine, I pay taxes and I sincerely love Ukraine. But she is not ready to come up with slogans, turning her presence at the competition into promotional activities for politicians. “I am a musician, not a bat in the political arena,” she wrote.

MARUV added that she wants to “give her creativity without censorship.”

“I sincerely thank and appreciate everyone who believed in me and voted for me. And I ask you to accept this fact and not go into confrontation. This is a given today. I want to give my creativity without censorship,” the singer noted.

On the eve of the singer described in detail what conditions she set (quote from Facebook page, punctuation and spelling author):

"What is demanded of me:

1. I am forbidden any improvisation on the stage without the approval of NTU. (Inconsistent twine, for example, will result in a fine in 2 million hryvnia - more than 74 thousand dollars, ed.).
2. Immediately transferring the copyright to the song belonging to the world label Warner Music (these rights were known before the start of the competition).
3. Clearly comply with any requirements and instructions of NTU. (Theoretically, they can force me to dance at a birthday party with some deputy prime minister, and in case of refusal, they will disqualify me and oblige me again to pay a fine of 2 million hryvnia. Plus compensate NTU for alleged losses!).
4. The ban on communication with journalists without the consent of the NTU. (Which completely violates the freedom of speech and human rights).

And a lot of what is absurd. In the event of a violation of one of the points, the penalty is 2 million hryvnia and the compensation of losses is still an indefinite amount.

In exchange, I don’t get anything from the NTU: not a dime of financial support, nor assistance in organizing a trip, or, moreover, international promotional support. Even I have to deal with a visa myself.

I feel the pressure! And I see obvious attempts to make me refuse to represent my country at the international Eurovision Song Contest 2019. I ask for your support, the support of the press and independent journalists who are not ready to fulfill someone’s order.”

The song with which MARUV passed the national selection:

Head of Public Television Zurab Alasania told on the terms of the agreement for the participants of the selection for Eurovision required to avoid politicization of the competition.

Among them is the refusal of the representative of Ukraine to tour in the Russian Federation (three months after the competition) and careful attention to public statements regarding the territorial integrity of Ukraine, or any statements that could harm Ukraine at the international level.

Other conditions, for example regarding rights, are the standard conditions of the competition owner, the European Broadcasting Union, notes Alasania.

“But... Not all beautiful Ukrainian performers are ready to be good cultural diplomats. Thus, the decision on the performer who will represent Ukraine at Eurovision has not yet been made. We will begin negotiations with the next candidate in the morning,” added the head of Public Television.

Second place after MARUV in the final of the national selection was taken by the Freedom Jazz group with the composition “Cupidon”:

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