Theme art and slogan have been revealed: "The Sound of Beauty"

 

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I'm not sure I like the font for the slogan. Unless it has specific Italian or Turin connection.

As reported in the press recently, Laura Pausini, Alessandro Cattelan and Mika have been confirmed as the hosts.

 

A medley of Grace Kelly, Big Girl and Love Today for the interval please xx

Mika! I didn't know he'd been getting around in Italy, though I hadn't kept up with him for years. That may even be a slight draw.

its being reported now that the organisers have said they’re still going to let Russia compete despite current events.

 

wonder how long it’ll be before they backtrack as it doesn’t seem to be a popular decision going by social media.

 

those of you who follow eurovision more closely what do you think will happen with Russia and Ukraine here?

Unlikely to ban Russia unless Russia sends a propaganda entry like Belarus did in 2021 and I don't think they would be that stupid (e.g. 2017)

I refuse to recognise any Russian entrant this year.

 

Beyond that, even a bland "peace and love" entry would be too on the nose and many former Russian entrants have already spoken out against the invasion, I can't link it right now but Sami Luukela from ESCXtra put out a good thread on Twitter on Russian Eurovision artists condemning the invasion.

 

I reckon that in the case of no backtrack, they attempt some regime-amenable singer with an 'acceptable' song unlike Belarus, get booed to high heaven and walk off with a middling result and all of Europe momentarily disgusted. Though I hope that some key player in the organisation (the Italian hosts, maybe) refuse to accept them.

 

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Shameful decision. I hope the other participants boycott over this.

 

Letting Russia compete this year is a political stance just as much as kicking them out would be. You can't just pretend that politics doesn't exist, and allowing a country invading another European country in a contest about bringing Europe together is extraordinarily political.

Totally agree, Umi.

Along with Ukraine, the broadcasters from Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and Denmark have raised the question of Russia's participation (and quite naturally all are against) with the EBU. I don't think the reports yesterday will be the final word on this.

Ukraine should have won last year, ad their song was by far the best. However, maybe it's best that they didn't, seeing what's hqppening there thanks to deranged Putin.

Netherlands too.

 

And Finland (YLE) have announced that they won't take part if Russia does. More like that please. HYVA SUOMI

Estonia have now taken the same position as Finland.

I suspect Latvia and Lithuania won't be too far behind given comments already made by some parts of their delegations and possibly some of the others who've already spoken out. It's already a net loss of countries if they don't ban.

 

One of the Big 5 saying it - that'd put it for a definite, but I do think it's likely now, there's no way they can allow Russia to stay and look good. May just be waiting for an investigation into the Russian broadcaster to finish.

If the war continues, no way EBU will allow Russia to participate. The situation is very different than with Crimea - Russia attacked the capital of a sovereign country and no one is taking their side here. "Noooo-body" as Paolo Gucci would say.

Eurovision is not a Right, and Russia removed themselves when they declared war on another participant who was peaceful and was keeping to themselves. Can’t even draw lines between Armenia and Azerbaijan because they’ve been at war for decades.

 

Russia made their bed, being cut off culturally is part of them dealing with the consequences. I doubt they’ll miss participating too much and the kremlin will put some PR statement out that thick c**ts will believe

EBU finally seeing sense and have announced Russia will not compete in Turin.

Bye Russia

So relieved. Thank you to the broadcasters who forced them into this position.

And now all 3 Russian broadcasters have left the EBU, so, bye.