The Head of BTRC has confirmed that Galasy ZMesta is working on a new song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam.
Ivan Eismont the Head of the Belarusian broadcaster BTRC has confirmed in an interview with ONT that work is underway on a new song for Eurovision 2021. He said in the interview that:
Taking into account our cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union, we suggested the Galasy ZMesta group to provide us with some other option. And now, as far as I know, active work is underway on this.
Mr Eismont said that in a few days time Europe will hear a new song from the group. It has been speculated in the Belarusian press that BTRC has been given until the end of this month to submit a new song for the contest.
The European Broadcasting Union said in a statement to Eurovoix yesterday that:
We are still in discussions with Belarus’ broadcaster BTRC regarding the submission of a new song, or the modification of their current entry, to ensure their act complies with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The EBU did not state when the deadline was for the Belarusian broadcaster to submit a new or altered song for the contest, or risk being disqualified.
Galasy ZMesta is a pro-Lukashenko band that was formed in 2020. The group has performed a number of songs that are critical of the Democratic protestors in Belarus and their leaders. They have also been critical of women’s and LGBTQ right. Their original entry for the contest “Ya Nauchi Tebya” (“I’ll Teach You”) has been criticised for lyrics mocking the Belarusian pro-democracy movement.
Eurovision 2021: EBU Issues Statement on Participation of Belarus
Events in Belarus
In August 2020, the Presidential election in Belarus in which incumbent Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected to a sixth term was the subject of widespread claims of electoral fraud. International monitors have labeled the election neither free nor fair. Following the election, significant and widespread protests have occurred in Belarus.
The Belarusian broadcaster, BTRC, has been subject to a campaign for its removal from the EBU. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who stood as the main opposition candidate in the disputed 2020 elections, has given her support to this campaign. Ms. Tsikhanouskaya supports the move due to the financial benefits that BTRC receives from ad revenue, the high ratings of the Eurovision Song Contest, and the prestige it brings to BTRC. Participation in the contest requires a national broadcaster to be a member of the EBU.
Eurovision 2021
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will take place on May 18, 20 and 22 in Rotterdam. A total of 41 countries will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Eurovision 2020 was due to be held in Rotterdam after Duncan Laurence gave the Netherlands their first victory since 1975 with the song “Arcade”. After the cancellation of the 2020 contest, it was decided that Rotterdam would host the 2021 contest instead.
Photo: S Deakin | Source: Tut.by
