Russia Holds “Intervision” Contest as Alternative to Eurovision — Winner Is Vietnamese Performer with Gay Love Video, Queer Artist Disqualified
A music competition called Intervision was held in Moscow, which the authorities position as a “traditional alternative to Eurovision.” Despite propaganda rhetoric about “normal people” and “traditional values,” the winner was a Vietnamese performer with a music video about same-sex love that has gained more than 120 million views on YouTube.
At the same time, organizers disqualified Australian singer VASSY. The reason was her identity as a queer activist and her cooperation with the international LGBTQ+ organization NoH8. According to media reports, she was removed after it became known she planned to deliver a statement in support of LGBTQ+ people in Russia.
The contest was accompanied by statements from Russian officials and propagandists about a “fight against perversions” and Russia’s opposition to Europe. Yet the case of VASSY and the choice of a Vietnamese winner highlighted the contradictions of the project: the declared “defense of traditional values” in practice comes together with censorship and the silencing of any public show of queer support.
Russia was represented at the contest by the singer SHAMAN, who, immediately after his performance, withdrew from competing for the prize. According to a report by Current Time, the event cost the Russian budget 750 million rubles (about 9 million U.S. dollars). Sponsors also contributed: RBC reported sponsorship packages were valued at $1.5–2 million. Among the sponsors were state-owned VTB Bank; RWB (a joint company of outdoor advertising operator Russ and marketplace Wildberries) as strategic partner; the Ministry of Culture of the UAE as the main international sponsor; and the Ministry of Culture of Qatar as an official sponsor.
The next Intervision has been announced for Saudi Arabia.
At the same time, organizers disqualified Australian singer VASSY. The reason was her identity as a queer activist and her cooperation with the international LGBTQ+ organization NoH8. According to media reports, she was removed after it became known she planned to deliver a statement in support of LGBTQ+ people in Russia.
The contest was accompanied by statements from Russian officials and propagandists about a “fight against perversions” and Russia’s opposition to Europe. Yet the case of VASSY and the choice of a Vietnamese winner highlighted the contradictions of the project: the declared “defense of traditional values” in practice comes together with censorship and the silencing of any public show of queer support.
Russia was represented at the contest by the singer SHAMAN, who, immediately after his performance, withdrew from competing for the prize. According to a report by Current Time, the event cost the Russian budget 750 million rubles (about 9 million U.S. dollars). Sponsors also contributed: RBC reported sponsorship packages were valued at $1.5–2 million. Among the sponsors were state-owned VTB Bank; RWB (a joint company of outdoor advertising operator Russ and marketplace Wildberries) as strategic partner; the Ministry of Culture of the UAE as the main international sponsor; and the Ministry of Culture of Qatar as an official sponsor.
The next Intervision has been announced for Saudi Arabia.