Eurovision dials down Zelensky plans for speech to avoid politicising contest
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY has been barred from addressing the Eurovision Song Contest final because broadcasters fear it could politicise the event.
The Ukrainian president wanted to make an unexpected video appearance during the final in Liverpool on Saturday, in which it was thought he would implore the audience to continue backing his country.
However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the annual contest, refused, saying Mr Zelensky had “laudable intentions” but that “regrettably” his request was against the rules.
“One of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event,” an EBU spokesman said.
“This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest. The request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”
The BBC has said the broadcast of this year’s contest in Liverpool is expected to be watched by more than 160 million viewers worldwide.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won last year’s contest but, owing to the Russian invasion of the country, hosting duties were awarded to the runner-up, the UK, instead.
Yesterday, Mr Zelensky said he would have preferred the Eurovision Song Contest to have been staged in a country neighbouring Ukraine so that his citizens could attend.
The Ukrainian president said that although he held “great respect” for the UK, nations such as Slovakia or Poland would have been his preference for staging tomorrow’s ceremony.
Mr Zelensky had previously promised
‘If we can’t host Eurovision it should take place in a country that shares a border with us’
the competition would be staged in the war-ravaged city of Mariupol before a decision was made on security grounds to relinquish Ukraine’s right as last year’s winners to host the contest.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Zelensky said: “I have great respect for the United Kingdom and its society. It is an amazing country.
“From the very start my opinion has been that if we can’t host Eurovision it should take place in one of the countries that share a border with us such as Slovakia, Poland or another country our people can reach easily.”
However, he added: “The main thing is that the contest is taking place. Let the people show their talent.”
The organiser of the Eurovision Song Contest did not respond to requests from The Daily Telegraph for a response to Mr Zelensky’s comments.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport was also contacted for comment.