Verka Serduchka and Ani Lorak. Photo : nnm.me

The Russia-Ukraine clashes reach the Eurovision red carpet. With political ties severed between the once neighbourly countries it now seems that the social and cultural ties between the 2 countries intensifies and Eurovision singers are bearing the brunt.

The sweeping political changes in Ukraine — which have seen eastern regions plunged into a bloody pro-Russian rebellion — have sparked not only an armed conflict on the ground but also a cultural war between Moscow and Kiev.

According to ZeeNews

“Several Russian TV channels have been banned and media authorities last month asked newspapers to stop publishing their listings. Moscow has in turn branded anti-Russian performers as traitors, forcing many stars to keep a low profile.”

Even Verka Serduchka (Ukraine Eurovision 2007) once a staple of Russian state television and winner of its top music award the Golden Gramophone in 2011 has stayed away from the spotlight during the war. The Ukrainian pop star in a press statement

“has cancelled all concerts in Russia and Ukraine because he believes having fun in such a difficult time is inappropriate,”

Clashes erupted at a summer concert in Odessa of Ani Lorak (Ukraine Eurovision 2008) when Ukrainian nationalists from the hardline Right Sector party descended on the Black Sea city, demanding the event be cancelled and protesting Lorak`s ties with Russia.

Lorak took to her website urging politicians not to use her name in their “dirty games” and assured she is a patriot who loves Ukraine.

Will the political situation be resolved? Will cultural bridges be built between both countries? Will a Eurovision divide be created between both countries?

Author/Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : Eurovision Ireland and Zee News