The Eurovision Song Contest is always one of the biggest events of the year in music, attracting an audience of hundreds of millions. Anticipation ahead of this year’s Eurovision is reaching fever pitch, as the event draws nearer.
Eurovision 2022 will be charged with greater political significance than usual, as this year’s contest takes place following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since late February.
As a result, a lot of people are wondering whether Ukraine will have an entry in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and also whether Russia will compete. So will Ukraine and Russia feature in Eurovision 2022, when is it and where is it being held?
Will Ukraine be in Eurovision 2022?
Ukraine will compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Given the widespread public sympathy for Ukraine across Europe, bookies have made the Ukrainian entry the favourite to win Eurovision.
Who’s representing Ukraine in Eurovision 2022?
Ukraine will be represented at Eurovision 2022 by hip-hop group Kalush Orchestra with their song ‘Stefania’. However, the country was previously due to be represented by Alina Kash, performing ‘Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors’.
Kash had been chosen by viewers in a televised selection programme. However, she was subsequently forced to withdraw from Eurovision 2022 after it was reported that she’d visited the disputed Crimea region in 2015.
In 2020, a new rule was introduced barring artists who’d entered or performed in Crimea from participating in the Eurovision selection process. As a result, Kash had to pull out after her selection and was replaced with another entry.
Will Russia be in Eurovision 2022?
Russia will not be participating in Eurovision 2022. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is responsible for organising Eurovision, has said that the inclusion of a Russian entry would risk bringing the competition into “disrepute”.
Initially, the EBU had indicated that it would allow Russia to take part in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. However, this was met with an angry response and so the EBU was forced to reverse its earlier position.
When is Eurovision 2022 and where is it being held?
Eurovision 2022 will take place in Turin, Italy, with the grand final scheduled for May 14th. Before that, there’ll be two semi-finals, held on May 10th and May 12th respectively.
Italian glam rock band Måneskin won Eurovision 2021 with their entry ‘Zitti e buoni’ (‘Shut Up and Behave’). The UK will be represented at this year’s Eurovision by TikTok star Sam Ryder, performing his song ‘Space Man’.
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