Music Critic Harris King examines Eurovision’s rejection of Galasy ZMesta’s anti-democracy entry and the behind the scenes politics of the non-political contest
After the disappointment of Eurovision 2020 being cancelled, fans of the singing contest are sure to be excited that it will return in 2021 for its 65th anniversary. Set to take place this May in Rotterdam, the audience size has been dramatically reduced to allow for social distancing, with the slogan ‘Open Up’ reflecting hope for the end of the pandemic. However, this positive step forward has been blighted by the controversy surrounding the Belarusian entry and the subsequent involvement of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
previously created music criticising and making fun of Belarusian opposition leaders, gay people, and vegetarians, their selection for the contest seems to be an intentional pushback against last year’s protesters
‘Ya nauchu tebya (I’ll Teach You)’, written by Belarusian band Galasy ZMesta, was selected by the national broadcaster to represent the country at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, as the 2020 entrants, VAL, failed to be re-elected due to their involvement in the 2020 pro-democracy protests. In contrast, Galasy ZMesta holds pro-state and pro-Lukashenko views, supporting the authoritarian regime put in place by the first, and so far only, president of Belarus. Having previously created music criticising and making fun of Belarusian opposition leaders, gay people, and vegetarians, their selection for the contest seems to be an intentional pushback against last year’s protesters, played out on an international stage.
Despite the upbeat and catchy nature of the song, with its euro-pop style that often does well in the contest, ‘Ya nauchu tebya’ was immediately criticised by Eurovision fans. With lyrics such as ‘I will teach you to toe the line’, the song can easily be read as Belarusian government propaganda and an attack on those who have been protesting for democracy and the end of Lukashenko’s control over the country. The EBU agreed, stating that Galasy ZMesta’s entry ‘puts the non-political nature of the contest into question’ and ordered them to either modify the song or produce something entirely new.
Statement from the @EBU_HQ regarding Belarus and the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.https://t.co/qvmyjxqAq4 pic.twitter.com/2Au8HKb1Ad
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) March 26, 2021
This is not the first time that an entry has come under fire for being too political. Georgia’s 2009 song, ‘We Don’t Wanna Put In’, was disqualified after the band refused to change the lyrics, which were thinly veiled criticisms of Putin. Similarly, in 2015, Armenia was accused of calling for the recognition of the Armenian genocide in their entry ‘Don’t Deny’, and faced backlash from Azerbaijan for its political themes. The song was renamed to ‘Face the Shadow’ and was allowed to remain in the competition, thought the Armenian delegation denied any political subtext.
politics plays a major part in Eurovision, even if people are not allowed to sing about it
The Eurovision Song Contest aims to unify Europe through music, hence its ban on any politically charged entries. In this case, it has prevented the inclusion of a song that makes a mockery of Belarusian protesters. What it cannot do is erase the years of fraught relations in Europe, which has led to the barring of the 2017 Russian entrant to Ukraine, forcing them to withdraw, and the backlash against holding the 2019 contest in Israel over their treatment of Palestinians. We need look no further than the rampant bloc voting to see that politics plays a major part in Eurovision, even if people are not allowed to sing about it.
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