Russia’s representative was denied access to Eurovision this year, because she acted in the occupied Crimean Peninsula. The young Bulgarian party, which is tipped to win, also played there.
Participant of “Eurovision” from Bulgaria Kristian Kostov was confident in the final of the Eurovision song contest, his song yesterday into the hearts of fans around the world.
But the youngest in this year’s competition participant who is 17 years and that is one of the main contenders for victory, probably, did not touch the hearts of the people of the host country, says a correspondent of DR in Russia Matilde Kimer (Matilde Kimer).
“Ukraine will never love artists who went to serve in the Crimea, as in the legal sense it still remains the territory of Ukraine,” she says.
He played in the Russian summer camp
Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, since the conflict between the two neighbouring countries is gaining momentum. In 2015, Ukraine has adopted a law that prohibits travel to Crimea without a special permit from the Ukrainian authorities.
Christian Kostov was born and raised in Russia, and shortly before the second semifinal of “Eurovision” it became clear that Bulgarian singer spoke in Russian summer camp in the Crimea, just three months after Russia annexed the Peninsula.
The Ukrainian authorities immediately began an investigation against 17-year-old singer — just as they did in the case of the Russian participant of “Eurovision” Yulia Samoilova, who also spoke in the Crimea, and which also predicted the chances of winning.
And so when Yulia Samoilova little more than a month ago refused the right to participate in the finals this year, because the security service of Ukraine, SBU, claimed that she had violated the law on the entry from 2015, this has caused much debate and serious criticism from Russia.
While the main organizer of Eurovision, the European broadcasting Union (EBU) in the omission of it looked.
“We fully respect the laws in force in Ukraine, and respect them, but the EMU had no objections to the Russian delegation, and he does not see any violations on its part. We would like to have the opportunity to participate was in all countries”, — said the head of the EBU young Ula Sann (Jon Ola Sand) at the meeting with journalists.
He was not a candidate — if there was proof
Yesterday, the day when Christian Kostov was to speak in the semi-finals, the decision was made, and the question of the participation of Bulgaria in the Eurovision song contest was decided.
According to Reuters, authorities reported that, according to the information of the intelligence service, evidence that Kostov had violated Ukrainian law by visiting the occupied Peninsula, no.
According to authorities, the reason is that, when he spoke at a political summer camp, he was 14 years old, i.e. he was still a minor and that the trip to the Crimea had taken place before the law was passed.
“The statement was made, and adhere to,” said the correspondent of DR in Russia, which, apparently, does not think that the security services will provide any additional information.
But in the case if there was evidence, allowed to deny access to the “Eurovision” and Kristian Kostov, it would mean that Ukraine did it to give a strong signal to Russia, explains Matilde Kimer.
If he wins, then he is against Ukraine
The Bulgarian artist is predicted to have a great chance to win before the start of “Eurovision”, on which he performs the song “Beautiful Mess” created by, in particular, the Danish author of many hits by Alex Vargas (Alex Vargas).
After yesterday’s speech Christian Kostov in the semi-finals, it became obvious that he is one of the main contenders for victory in the Eurovision song contest this year. If this really happens, it would be a real shame for Ukraine, predicts Matilde Kimer.
“If this guy, entertained the Russian wins, it will be a tragicomic end to the “Eurovision,” she says.
If Christian Kostov wins tomorrow, it will be just another one of the many examples of “Eurovision” became part of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Both countries deliberately provoking each other after last year’s “Eurovision”, which Ukraine won with a song “1944”, it was about the Crimea in 1944 during world war II.
Julia Samoylova on Tuesday made in the Crimea at the event in celebration of the Russian victory in world war II —on the same day was held the first semifinal of “Eurovision”.
Russian singer Dima Bilan won Eurovision in 2008, a few days ago called Instagram more than 1.9 million fans to vote for Kristian Kostov. “He is Bulgaria, but he is our hero,” he wrote in the social network.
