President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to speak in a video message during the Eurovision final, which takes place this Saturday, May 13, but the organizers of the event refused.
A video message broadcast on the occasion of the Eurovision final, which takes place this Saturday, May 13th. It was Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s will who multiplied his speeches to continue raising awareness of the situation in Ukraine among the general public and European authorities.
However, the organization of the competition did not comply with this request. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual event, said: “Mr Zelensky’s request to address the Eurovision Song Contest audience, although made with laudable intentions, unfortunately cannot be granted as it violates the rules of the event would be violated,” reports AFP, citing BFM.
What rule are we talking about? From the one that makes Eurovision a neutral event. “One of the pillars of the competition is the non-political nature of the event. This policy prohibits political or similar statements during the competition,” explained the organization.
Tributes to Ukraine
Although the President of Ukraine cannot speak, the Eurovision Song Contest did not hide the situation in Ukraine and a tribute is paid to the country with the presence of the Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian winner of the previous edition, and ten other artists from the country .
As the final of the singing competition takes place in Liverpool this year, a statue representing Ukraine will also be unveiled. It is a memorial depicting a man holding a book waving a dove with a Ukrainian flag that will be sent to the country once peace is restored.
In addition, AFP states that Russia has been banned from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second year in a row.