Is Russia's Rival Music Contest the Start of a Cultural Cold War Against Eurovision?

Russia is set to launch its own international music competition, Intervision, in a direct challenge to the popular Eurovision Song Contest, on September 20. The move comes after Russia was barred from participating in Eurovision following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The revived competition, which is expected to feature 23 countries, is widely seen as a cultural counterweight to Eurovision, which Russian officials have increasingly criticized for what they view as a promotion of "liberal Western values."

A New Stage for Old Allies

The inaugural Intervision contest will take place in Moscow, with a diverse lineup of participants that includes not only former Soviet republics and allies but also nations from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Notably, countries like China, Brazil, Cuba, India, and South Africa are expected to send contestants.

The revival of the contest echoes its Cold War origins. The original Intervision Song Contest was a musical competition for Eastern Bloc countries held from the 1960s to the 1980s. Its return is a clear statement by Russia to build new cultural bridges and showcase a different kind of global influence.

The Eurovision Fallout

Russia's exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest came swiftly after the invasion of Ukraine. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) suspended Russia's membership, stating that including a Russian entry would bring the competition "into disrepute." In response, Russian broadcasters formally suspended their own EBU membership.

While Russia’s new competition won't replicate the spectacle and audience of Eurovision, it serves a strategic purpose. By creating its own platform, Russia aims to project a new vision for international cultural exchange, one that aligns with its own geopolitical interests and seeks to bypass Western-led institutions.