LAST NIGHT SAW the relaunch of Russia’s “Intervision” song competition – an isolated Russia’s answer to the Eurovision – after the nation was exiled from the European competition in 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine. 

The Intervision Song Contest, a relic from the 1970s and 80s, came back rebranded as a “festival of friendship and culture” by the Kremlin.

A sanitised version of the typically camp Eurovision, Intervision welcomed entries from more than 20 countries. Russia’s president Vladimir Putin hailed it as a “respecting traditional values and different cultures”. 

Russia’s closest allies such as Belarus, Kazakhstan and Cuba, alongside BRICS partners China, India, Brazil and South Africa were among 22 countries to perform.

The United States was due to be represented in the competition by Australian singer Vassy. However, just before the competition she pulled out of performing due to “unprecedented political pressure” from the Australian government, organisers said. 

No performers from an EU country took part.

In a surprise turn of events, Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc won the competition after Russia’s own entry Shaman, a singer known for his patriotic concerts, presented a lyrical song before telling the jury he did not want to be named the winner.

“Hospitality is an inalienable part of the Russian soul… and according to the law of hospitality, I don’t have the right to be among those vying to win,” he said.

The winner was decided by an international jury, unlike the Eurovision, which is judged by a combination of a professional jury and public votes.

Organisers announced the next edition of Intervision would be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026.

With additional reporting by AFP