Russia Revives Soviet-Era Song Contest Amid Eurovision Ban
MOSCOW, Russia (September 21, 2025) - In a move seen as a response to its exclusion from the Eurovision song contest, Russian President Vladimir Putin has revived the Intervision song competition, a Soviet-era event that brought together former Soviet nations. The revival comes after Russia was banned from participating in Eurovision due to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
More than 20 countries, including Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, participated in the inaugural Intervision 2025 contest held over the weekend. According to reports, the competition was well-received by audiences and participants alike, with many praising the event's nostalgic value and cultural significance.
Tatiana Zhiltsova, a Russian singer who performed at the contest, expressed her enthusiasm for the revival of the song competition. "We're just fine here with our own traditions," she said in an interview. "Eurovision has become too liberal and too gay-friendly for us."
The Intervision song contest was first held in 1977 as a Soviet-era alternative to Eurovision. It was discontinued after the collapse of the Soviet Union but has been revived by Putin's administration as a way to promote Russian cultural influence and counter what they see as Western dominance.
Eurovision, which is organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), banned Russia from participating in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine. The decision was met with widespread criticism from the international community, but it has also sparked a debate about the role of politics in cultural events.
The revival of Intervision has been seen as a strategic move by Putin's administration to promote Russian interests and create an alternative platform for cultural exchange. However, some experts have raised concerns about the potential implications of reviving a Soviet-era event that was often used as a tool for propaganda and ideological control.
As the world watches this development with interest, it remains to be seen whether Intervision will become a viable alternative to Eurovision or simply a nostalgic relic of the past. One thing is clear: the revival of Intervision has sparked a global conversation about cultural exchange, politics, and the role of song contests in international relations.
Background
The Soviet Union first introduced the Intervision song contest in 1977 as a way to promote unity among its member states. The competition was seen as a symbol of Soviet ideological influence and was often used to showcase the country's cultural achievements.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Intervision contest was discontinued, but it has now been revived by Putin's administration as part of efforts to promote Russian cultural influence and counter Western dominance.
Additional Perspectives
While some have praised the revival of Intervision as a way to promote cultural exchange and unity among former Soviet nations, others have raised concerns about the potential implications of reviving a Soviet-era event that was often used for propaganda and ideological control.
"This is a clear attempt by Putin's administration to create an alternative platform for cultural exchange that promotes Russian interests," said Dr. Maria Kuznetsova, a cultural expert at Moscow State University. "However, we must also consider the potential risks of reviving a Soviet-era event that was often used as a tool for ideological control."
As the world watches this development with interest, it remains to be seen whether Intervision will become a viable alternative to Eurovision or simply a nostalgic relic of the past.
Current Status and Next Developments
The inaugural Intervision 2025 contest has been hailed as a success by organizers and participants alike. However, the future of the competition remains uncertain, with many questions still unanswered about its funding, format, and potential implications for international relations.
As the world waits to see whether Intervision will become a regular fixture on the cultural calendar, one thing is clear: this development has sparked a global conversation about cultural exchange, politics, and the role of song contests in international relations.
*Reporting by Npr.*
