lucadelladora – President Vladimir Putin has officially launched Russia’s answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. Three years after the country was barred from the European competition. The newly established Intervideniye (translated as Intervision) will take place in the Moscow region in 2025. This according to state-owned news agency TASS.
Unlike Eurovision, which features a mix of genres and cultures. Intervision will likely have a strong focus on Russian musical traditions and artists from allied nations. Putin’s decree outlines a strict governance structure, with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko leading the organizing committee and Sergei Kiriyenko, a top Kremlin official, overseeing the certification of results. This level of government involvement signals the event’s strategic importance in Russia’s soft power efforts.
A Political and Cultural Response to Eurovision’s Ban
Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision came in 2022 following its invasion of Ukraine. Organizers citing the event’s commitment to unity and peace. Moscow has since condemned the decision as politically motivated and has been searching for an alternative platform to showcase its musical talent.
Intervision will feature contestants from countries within Russia’s sphere of influence. Including members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The competition’s format and voting system remain unclear, but Russian officials have promised a “spectacular and independent” event.
With the Kremlin’s direct involvement, Intervision is set to be more than just a music contest—it’s a statement of Russia’s cultural autonomy and a response to what it sees as Western bias. The contest’s first edition in 2025 will test whether it can gain international traction or remain a state-driven initiative aimed at a domestic audience.
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Russia’s Alternative to Eurovision Gains Momentum
Russia has announced the Intervision Song Contest to replace Eurovision as the country’s leading international music competition. President Vladimir Putin reintroduced this initiative in response to Eurovision banning Russia after the country invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Unlike Eurovision, which celebrates inclusivity and artistic freedom. Intervision promotes Russia’s political and cultural values while enforcing strict limitations on artistic expression, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ themes. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) removed Russia from Eurovision, stating that allowing its participation would “bring the competition into disrepute.” As a result, Moscow has pursued an independent alternative, hoping to attract countries aligned with its geopolitical interests.
Intervision’s Soviet-Era Origins and Global Aspirations
This is not the first time Russia has attempted to create its own international music contest. The Soviet Union hosted Intervision from 1965 to 1968 and later between 1977 and 1980 as a Cold War-era counterweight to Eurovision. The event featured performances from allied nations, reinforcing Soviet cultural ties.
Now, Russian officials claim that over 25 countries, including some from Latin America, have expressed interest in participating in the revived competition. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has promoted Intervision as an opportunity for nations outside the Western sphere to engage in a “fair and politically neutral” music contest.
While organizers plan to launch the competition in 2025, they have yet to reveal details about the format, voting system, and participating countries. However, the Kremlin has taken direct control of the event, shaping Intervision into a politically driven spectacle rather than an artistic celebration. Its success outside Russia’s sphere of influence remains uncertain.
