The Vietnam emerged as the winner of the International Intervision Song Contest, a Russian alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest. The event took place Saturday night in Moscow and was marked by controversy involving the United States representative.
Intervision’s return was announced in February by Russian President Vladimir Putin, featuring participants from 23 countries and broadcasting to various parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe.
Vietnamese Duc Phuc took the stage with the song ‘Phù Đổng Thiên Vương,’ inspired by a popular tale about a king known for repelling an enemy army, securing the top position with a total of 422 points.
Duc Phuc was rewarded with a trophy and a prize of 30 million rubles (approximately 305,000 euros).
The subsequent positions went to Kyrgyzstan (373 points), Qatar (369), Colombia (347), Tajikistan (344), Belarus (341), Kazakhstan (339), Madagascar (338), China (328), and Uzbekistan (296).
Russia, the host country, was represented by singer Shaman, who gained popularity in 2022 after performing patriotic songs supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, he did not compete at his own request.
“I represent Russia, and Russia has already won. It has won because you are all here with us today,” he declared, as cited by Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
In a video address before the event, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence that the competition would become “one of the most recognized and loved in the world.”
“Through dialogue, mutual respect, and strengthening trust among cultures, we become spiritually richer,” he emphasized.
Controversy marked U.S. participation: “Political pressures”
The United States was among the 23 countries set to compete, but its participation was canceled at the last moment. Vassy, an Australian singer with a U.S. passport, reportedly withdrew due to “unprecedented political pressures.”
“Due to reasons beyond the control of the organizers and the U.S. delegation, caused by unprecedented political pressures from the Australian government, singer VASSY (a U.S. and Australian citizen) will not be able to perform in the final Intervision concert,” revealed a statement cited by the Russian press.
In a video shared on Instagram, the singer promised to comment on the issue “in the coming days.”
Vassy was already a replacement for U.S. R&B singer Brandon Howard, who withdrew days prior, citing family reasons.
Intervision returned three years after Russia’s expulsion from Eurovision
Intervision had previously been organized in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily with Eastern Bloc countries, including Poland and Czechoslovakia. However, other countries also participated.
Since the fall of the USSR, Russian television has aired various smaller-scale programs with the same name. In 2014, Russia announced its intention to relaunch the contest but without success until this year.
Russia participated in Eurovision from 1994 to 2021, winning the European contest in 2008 with Dima Bilan and ‘Believe.’ The event was held in Moscow the following year.
Besides the victory, the country achieved other notable results in Eurovision, securing second place in 2010, 2006, 2012, and 2015, and third place in 2023, 2007, 2016, and 2019.
On February 25, a day after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision, announced that “no Russian artist” would participate in the contest.
“This decision reflects the concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, Russia’s inclusion in this year’s contest would discredit the competition,” stated the EBU at the time.
You can see images of the contest, including performances by some contestants, in the gallery above.
