Eurovision organizers reject Belarusian song entry sbs.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sbs.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A rumbling political crisis in Belarus spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest this week, as the country’s state broadcaster nominated a band that has released songs mocking protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.
A rumbling political crisis in Belarus spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, after the event's organisers rejected the country's entry by a band which has mocked protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.
<div class="at-above-post addthis tool" data-url="https://www.metro.us/eurovision-organisers-reject-belarusian/"></div>MOSCOW (Reuters) – A rumbling political crisis in Belarus spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday, after the event’s organisers rejected the country’s entry by a band which has mocked protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. Featuring lyrics such as “I will teach you to toe the line”, the entry had sparked a backlash […]<! AddThis Advanced Settings above via filter on get the excerpt ><! AddThis Advanced Settings below via filter on get the excerpt ><! AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get the excerpt ><! AddThis Share Buttons above via filter on get the excerpt ><! AddThis Share Buttons below via filter on get the excerpt ><div class="at-below-post addthis tool" data-url="https://www.metro.us/eurovision-
A rumbling political crisis in Belarus spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest this week, as the country’s state broadcaster nominated a band that has released songs mocking protests against President Alexander Lukashenko.
Featuring lyrics such as “I will teach you to toe the line”, the entry has sparked a backlash from opposition figures and fuelled calls by a European Parliament legislator for Belarus to be suspended from the popular competition.
The entry, by Galasy ZMesta, has received 5,800 likes and 40,000 dislikes on the competition’s official YouTube page since Tuesday, with more than half a million views.
To critics, allowing the entry to be performed would add legitimacy to a violent crackdown launched by Lukashenko against mass unrest that swept the country following an August election which demonstrators say was rigged to extend his 27-year rule.