For a long time, Russia has sought to rally its global partners, hoping to counter Western influence in both politics and culture. Their newest strategy? Music. This Saturday, Russia is hosting a resurrected version of the Intervision Song Contest, a Cold War-era event that will feature artists from countries such as China, Cuba, and India.
Surprisingly, even the United States will have a representative: Vassy, a Greek-Australian dance artist who recently became an American citizen. How she ended up performing is still a mystery.
Originally held in the 1960s and 70s, Intervision was often seen as a competitor to the popular Eurovision Song Contest. The Kremlin is clearly hoping this new iteration will capture a similar massive global audience. However, as of Friday, the buzz isn’t quite there. Despite a significant promotional push on social media and throughout Moscow, tickets for the show at the Live Arena were still readily available. So, what exactly is Intervision, and why does Russia believe it’s so important?
This article provides an overview of the event and its geopolitical implications, with reporting from Alex Marshall in London and Ivan Nechepurenko in Moscow.
What Exactly Is Intervision?
The inaugural Intervision Song Contest happened way back in 1965 in Prague, then part of Czechoslovakia. Karel Gott, a beloved Czech singer often dubbed the “Sinatra of the East,” claimed the top prize. Interestingly, it was Czechoslovakian television that initially organized the event, not the Soviet government itself.
According to Dean Vuletic, an expert on both Eurovision and Intervision, there’s a common misunderstanding that Intervision was simply a “communist alternative to Eurovision.” He explains that its creators actually aimed to build cultural bridges between East and West, and to showcase their nation’s musical talent on a broader stage.
In fact, some Intervision events were even aired in Western Europe. Organizers extended invitations to Western music legends like Gloria Gaynor and the reggae/disco sensation Boney M to perform as special guests. The contest saw eight editions in total, hosted alternately in Czechoslovakia and Poland.
Why Is Russia Bringing It Back Now?
Following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia faced suspensions from numerous international cultural and sporting events. In response, Moscow launched a series of its own competitions, awards, and festivals. Intervision is the newest addition, designed to showcase Russia as a leader of the Global South and a protector of what it defines as traditional values.
Before being banned from Eurovision in 2022, Russia took its involvement in the flamboyant singing contest very seriously. State television would broadcast it annually with great enthusiasm, and the selection of its contestants was a nationwide affair. In 2008, pop star Dima Bilan even won Eurovision for Russia with his song “Believe.”
However, as Russia increasingly cracked down on LGBTQ+ culture, lawmakers began criticizing Eurovision for allegedly undermining Russian values, especially after Conchita Wurst, a bearded drag queen from Austria, won in 2014. This week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that Intervision would serve as a platform for Russia to “foster the natural God-given human capacity for good will,” promising an event free from “perversions and mockery of human nature.”
Do Russians Actually Care?
Despite a government push involving over $7 million in funding, Intervision has failed to capture significant public interest in Russia. On Friday, tickets were still available for the 5,000-seat Live Arena show.
Moscow is adorned with flags and elaborate pavilions promoting Intervision as the “No. 1 show in the world” at train stations and tourist hotspots. State media has hyped it as a globally significant event, with Sergei V. Kiriyenko, a close confidant of President Putin, claiming four billion people would tune in. Yet, public enthusiasm remains low, with Russian news outlets even reporting instances of individuals being paid to act as fans for some participating artists at the airport and arena.
How Is the U.S. Participating?
Back in August, Intervision revealed that American singer Brandon Howard, known for his connections to Michael Jackson’s family, would be a contestant. It’s still a mystery how he was chosen, as the contest rules allow any individual, business, or institution to nominate an artist.
However, B. Howard abruptly withdrew on Wednesday, citing “unforeseen family circumstances” in a video shared on Russian social media. The U.S. still has a representative, though. Howard announced that Vassy, a musician famous for her vocal contributions to electronic dance hits by artists like David Guetta and Tiësto, would take his place.
There’s a catch: while Vassy’s website identifies her as Greek-Australian, and she was seen with a Greek passport on her journey to Moscow, she has stated in interviews that she became a U.S. citizen during the pandemic. Her reception in Russia remains uncertain, especially given reports from Russian opposition media highlighting her active support for LGBTQ+ organizations and participation in Pride events – details notably absent from Russian state media coverage. Vassy was unavailable for comment for this article.
Who Else Is Competing, and What Can We Expect Musically?
The Intervision lineup includes 23 acts, many representing nations that have openly challenged or questioned Western global dominance. Artists from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela are among the participants.
China’s Wang Xi will perform “On the Way,” a powerful, deep-voiced ballad. Venezuela’s Omar Acedo brings an energetic party anthem titled “La Fiesta de la Paz.” Meanwhile, South African group Mzansi Jikelele offers “Home,” a gospel-infused track promoting global unity, with lyrics like “From Cape Town to Moscow / Together we rise / This world is our home.”
How Does It Stack Up Against Eurovision?
Eurovision is famous for its elaborate and often over-the-top performances – think Finland’s recent entrant singing on a giant, suspended microphone. Intervision, however, promises a stark contrast, steering clear of such flamboyant spectacle.
Another key difference lies in the judging: while Eurovision combines votes from both juries and television audiences, Intervision’s winner will be chosen solely by a jury, comprising one representative from each participating country.
According to author Dean Vuletic, Intervision’s organization has been noticeably less polished than Eurovision’s. Many participants were announced just last month, and their songs are barely available online, a stark contrast to Eurovision’s months of carefully cultivated hype and pre-released tracks.
Where Can You Watch Intervision?
Intervision is scheduled for international streaming on YouTube and VK, a popular Russian social media and streaming platform. Organizers have also confirmed that 20 television networks across participating countries will broadcast the event. The competition is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will run for over three and a half hours.
Will President Putin Make an Appearance?
According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov, President Putin does not intend to attend the show in person. However, Peskov added that “one way or another, at least in fragments, of course, the president will have the opportunity to watch the television broadcast of this very important event.”