From 1965 to 1968, again from 1977 to 1980, the USSR organized Intervision as the Soviet Bloc response to Eurovision, which began in 1956 and was organized every year by the European Union of Broadcasting Stations (EBU).

The competition included socialist countries near the USSR, as well as Austria, Belgium, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal and Finland.

One of the many logos used by Intervision Network between 1977-1980, @Wikipedia

A few days ago, Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the revival of the international Russian music competition, two years after Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision because of the war in Ukraine.

Initially, the West welcomed the new as a joke but gradually it seems that Intervision will not be something small – Since, in addition to music and financial, in recent years Eurovision has tone.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in December 2024 that More than 25 countries They have expressed interest in participating in Intervision, including many from Latin America. In the end, Latin music masters, such as Brazil and Cuba, will travel to Russia for the competition.

For his part, President Putin’s envoy to international cultural cooperation Michael Svidkoy announced that all BrICS member states will participate (Brazil, Russia, India, Chinese People’s Republic, South Africa, Egypt, Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia), and that the competition will take place in September 2025

“The” long -awaited “intervision will take place in Russia in September 2025,” said the Belesat channel.

Intervision: The … Ethical Eurovision

The Russian president appears to have called the Eurovision ‘Fake values’, saying that the Intervision It will promote “traditional music” over “Western Decline”.

In addition the Russian senator Liliya Gumerova reported to their non -binary and Lgbtq+ its winners Eurovision (such as Nemo and Concita Burst)accusing them of proof that the competition is “morally bankrupt”.

“OR Intervision It will impose strict “traditional values”, banning political issues and “degenerate” performances, while calling on China, Iran and Russia’s allies to participate in the cultural attack on awakening, “he said.

‘I guarantee that There will be no distortions or abuses of human nature, such as those we saw during the Olympic Games in Paris“Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

According to documents that came in Reuters, Intervision will have a conservative tone, with artists encouraging to emphasize through their song the respect for “traditional Catholic, spiritual and family values”.

“Artists are not allowed to interpret songs that call for violence, humiliate the honor and dignity of society and requires that political issues be completely excluded in the lyrics,” the presidential decree typically says.

In addition, participants must “respect the cultural, moral and religious traditions of other peoples of the world”.

The performers will have up to four minutes to sing their song live in whatever language they choose.

The winner will go on a tour and win a cash prize, but the amount has not been known.

Curated by: Helen Logothetis