Russia Revives Intervision: A Cultural Challenge to Eurovision
2025 | Music Competitions & Cultural Politics
Reviving a Musical and Political Heritage
On the evening of September 20, 2025, Moscow's "Live Arena" hall hosted the launch ceremony of Intervision 2025, a contest with roots in the Soviet era. In a recorded address during the opening ceremony, Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted contestants and audience members, stating: "Culture and music know no borders, and today's event demonstrates the unifying power of art."
Intervision 2025 launch ceremony at Moscow's "Live Arena"
The original Intervision contest dates back to the 1960s when it served as a musical platform for Soviet-aligned countries. The first edition took place in Czechoslovakia in 1965 but was discontinued after the suppression of the Prague Spring in 1968. It was briefly revived in Poland in 1977 before disappearing again with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
Broad Arab and International Participation
The contest features 23 countries, mostly from outside the traditional European sphere. The list includes BRICS nations (China, India, Brazil, South Africa), former Soviet republics (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan), and several Arab countries including Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Participating Countries
23 nations from BRICS, Arab world, and Asia
Target Audience
Over 4 billion people in participating countries
Expected Viewership
1 billion viewers via live and recorded broadcast
Language Policy
Each artist performs in their native language
Among the participating artists are Dana Al-Meer from Qatar who performed at the 2022 World Cup opening, Serbian singer Slobodan Trkulja, and Australian artist of Greek descent Vasiliki Karagiorgos (Vassy) representing the United States. Russia is represented by Shaman, a prominent figure in national celebrations, performing a song titled "To the Heart."
Political Dimensions and Value Conflict
The revival comes as Russia faces cultural isolation due to Western sanctions imposed since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. No European Union country participated in the contest, highlighting the event's political dimension.
Organizers stated their goal is to build a new artistic bridge that reflects cultural diversity away from what they described as "decadent Western values" promoted by Eurovision. This rhetoric aligns with Russia's promotion of "traditional values" against what it considers Western moral "decadence," particularly regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Intervision vs. Eurovision: Key Differences
The two contests differ fundamentally beyond political aspects:
| Aspect | Intervision | Eurovision |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Artists perform in native languages | Most songs in English |
| Voting | International jury only | Jury + public voting |
| Values | Promotion of traditional values | Open to diverse expressions |
| Participants | BRICS and Arab nations | Primarily European countries |
Organizers promised the festival would be a "true celebration of music" while simultaneously honoring "national identity", reflecting the official Russian discourse that criticizes the "decadent" West.
Media Coverage and Global Reach
To promote the contest, Russian state television displayed footage on a giant screen in New York's Times Square, a move with defiant symbolism amid tense Russia-U.S. relations.
Contest Highlights
- 23 participating countries representing over 4.3 billion people
- Expected viewership of 1 billion via live and recorded broadcast
- Focus on performances in native languages rather than English
- Complete absence of EU countries due to sanctions on Russia
- Promotion of traditional values versus "Eurovision values"
Konstantin Ernst, General Director of Russia's state-owned Channel One and main organizer, stated viewership could reach one billion through live or recorded broadcast in participating countries. He said: "If at least one in three or one in four people watch the contest, the audience will be unprecedented."
International Reactions
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the contest, calling it "a propaganda tool and a means to whitewash the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation." It announced it had instructed its diplomatic missions abroad to take measures for a "political and diplomatic response" against countries intending to participate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the contest idea, saying: "The idea is excellent, it's clear to us that there is demand for this type of competition," noting that countries worldwide had requested the contest be held regularly.
Conclusion: A New Cultural Landscape Emerges
The revival of Intervision represents more than just a musical event; it embodies the deep geopolitical and cultural shifts occurring worldwide. Through this contest, Russia seeks to strengthen its cultural influence and present an alternative to Western entertainment dominance.
The complete absence of European countries and broad participation from BRICS and Arab nations reflects a new global division extending beyond politics into culture. Through Intervision, Moscow aims to build an alternative cultural alliance reflecting its worldview and values that increasingly clash with Western values.
The question remains: Can Intervision successfully compete with the established Eurovision? The answer depends on Russia's ability to sustain the project and attract viewers beyond the participating countries' geographical sphere. What is certain is that the global cultural landscape is undergoing significant transformation with the emergence of alternatives to traditional Western cultural institutions, and Intervision is the latest manifestation of this shift.