Ukraine: KAZKA the third act to turn down Eurovision 2019 participation
After “Vidbir 2019” winner MARUV and runners up Freedom Jazz rejected to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv, KAZKA is the third act to turn down UA:PBC’s proposal to represent their country at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. It remains to be seen if one of the other finalists Anna Maria, Brunettes Shoot Blondes or YUKO will reach an agreement with UA:PBC or if Ukraine will eventually withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Only one day after the group Freedom Jazz, who finished second at “Vidbir 2019”, had also rejected Ukrainian national broadcaster’s offer to fly the Ukrainian flag in Tel Aviv by announcing their decision on their official Facebook page, KAZKA (3rd place “Vidbir 2019”) are the third act to decline this offer. They announced their decision not to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest on their official Instagram account thanking their fans for the huge support:
We want and would be honored to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision. We put a lot of effort, energy, time into this desire. We have entered the National Selection for this. But we don’t need a victory at any cost. Our mission is to unite people with our music and not sow discord. Therefore, we have a clear answer to the UA:PBC proposal: we will not go to the Eurovision in 2019. At the same time, we don’t give up on our main goal – to bring Ukrainian culture to the world. We are ready to represent Ukraine the next year if we are chosen. In the meantime, we move on and wait for all of you on our concerts around the world.
The Ukrainian national selection drama does not seem to come to an end and may result in Ukraine withdrawing all in all from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest as members of the Board of UA:PBC are speaking of a serious crisis. The whole situation started when “Vidbir 2019” winner MARUV and UA:PBC did not reach an agreement as MARUV did not agree to three aspects of the contract that would have enabled her to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv. According to Viktor Taran, who is a member of the Supervisory Board of UA:PBC, MARUV and her lawyers did not agree that the singer should cancel all her future appearances in Russia, nor that she should represent the views of Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest, or that she should share the views of the Ukrainian state if asked questions by journalists. The other finalists of “Vidbir 2019” Anna Maria, Brunettes Shoot Blondes and YUKO are reportedly still in the running but it reamains to be seen if any of them will reach an agreement with UA:PBC.
