Russians have a long history as masters of that archetypal game of
strategy, chess. And now they have again shown how strategically adept
they are with their decision on who should represent them at the
Eurovision Song Contest, taking place in May in Kyiv. At the 11th hour,
it was reported that 27-year-old Yulia Samoilova and her "Flame is
Burning" would be Russia's entry for the 2017 competition. She is a
pretty young woman with blonde hair and a bright smile. And she has been
bound to a wheelchair since childhood.
It would be cynical and
unacceptable to boo this singer, even though the boos would be meant not
for her, but for her country: The Tolmachevy Sisters bore the brunt of boos
in the 2014 contest in Copenhagen as a result of Russia's homophobic
laws, and a more limited booing was directed at Polina Gagarina in 2015
as a consequence of Russia's aggressive moves against Ukraine. But
Russia's 2016 contestant, Sergey Lazarev, was spared such a reaction in
Stockholm, with his perfect 3D show that made him one of the favorites
that year. And then the unexpected happened, a true sensation.[...]
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces Eurovision, cannot
accept a travel ban against Samoilova. Kyiv would be well advised to
permit her entry. Anything else would only serve those in Russia and
elsewhere looking to act against Ukraine. Kyiv should let cooler heads
prevail and let the show go on. That would be the wisest move in this
particular game of chess.
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