Putin’s answer to the Eurovision names surprise winner
Source: The Journal | Original Published At: 2025-09-21 11:32:00 UTC
Key Points
- Russia relaunched Intervision as an alternative to Eurovision after its 2022 exclusion
- BRICS members (China, India, Brazil, South Africa) participated alongside Russian allies
- Vietnamese singer Duc Phuc won after Russia's entrant refused victory
- Next Intervision to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026
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 more sanitised and family-friendly 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.
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.