Over the weekend, Maruv won the Ukrainian Eurovision national selection, Vidbir, however as we soon found out, this did not guarantee her participation at Eurovision.
Despite hinting in a Facebook post that Maruv would be signing the contract in order to represent Ukraine at Eurovision, it is now clear that this is not the case, and that an agreement between the artist and the broadcaster UA:PBC could not be made.
This does mean that Maruv will not be representing Ukraine at Eurovision, and it is not yet clear who will fulfil the place, or whether Ukraine will withdraw from the contest all together.
The broadcaster has made a statement, saying, ‘the performer representing Ukraine at the international stage, upon signing an agreement with UA:PBC, also has commitments of becoming a cultural ambassador of Ukraine and delivering not only their music but also expressing the opinion of the Ukrainian society in the world. After the negotiations, UA:PBC and the singer MARUV have not found common ground in the mission of the representative of Ukraine at the international song contest.’
Furthermore, ‘In addition, according to the Rules of the Eurovision Song Contest (p.2.6), the Participating Broadcaster must ensure the non-political character of the contest. The situation around the national selection this year has signs of politicization. The social resonance, attempts of pressure by political forces, intervention of cultural figures and informational structures of the aggressor state with this discussion have actually caused politicization of the results of the national selection.’
Read Maruv’s statement below: