Vietnamese Performer Wins Revived Intervision Song Contest

Vietnamese artist Duc Phuc took the crown at the “Intervision Song Contest” held in Moscow over the weekend. This event, aimed as a counter to the Eurovision Song Contest from the Cold War era, received praise from Vladimir Putin, who described it as a showcase of “respect for traditional values” and “diversity.”

In a televised address, Putin claimed the reimagined contest is “one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year,” though this assertion lacks backing from mainstream audiences and international coverage.

“An atmosphere of creative freedom, kindness, and mutual respect makes it a real holiday for artists and audiences,” he stated. He also mentioned that there should be no divide between culture and music, emphasizing that this gala is all about presenting a united artistic front.

Putin remarked, “Russia has always been open to communication and constructive cooperation,” and added that valuing traditions—and acknowledging those of others—is foundational to this contest. This focus on celebrating traditional values and cultural diversity is, I think, quite interesting.

However, it’s worth noting that Putin has previously shied away from constructive dialogue regarding critical international issues, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022.

Alongside Putin’s speech, viewers of the Intervision contest saw representatives from various countries performing for a shot at the grand prize of 30 million rubles (around $360,000). Competing nations included several authoritarian regimes like China, Cuba, and Venezuela, alongside India and Brazil, both of which are part of the BRICS coalition that aligns with Russia.

Duc Phuc’s winning entry, “Thhùsngthiênvương,” tells the story of an ancient king. The Intervision event, while less boisterous than its Eurovision counterpart, aimed to recognize both individual song talents and national performances, adopting the slogan “Unified unification through music.” The Eurovision contest often garners 160 million viewers globally, while Intervision, in its revival, attracted minimal international attention.

The Intervision Song Contest had its origins during the Soviet era, offering a platform for participants on the other side of the Iron Curtain, particularly those navigating strict censorship. The original concept flourished during the 1970s and 1980s but diminished following the Soviet Union’s collapse as former Eastern Bloc nations sought to partake in Eurovision. Russia itself debuted in Eurovision in 1994 and achieved victory in 2008.

After the EBU expelled both Russia and Belarus from Eurovision in 2022 due to the Ukraine invasion, calls to revive Intervision gained traction. Though the recent contest in Moscow unfolded without significant fanfare, it featured 22 performers, and organizers claimed to have secured involvement from the U.S., but complications arose that prevented American artists from participating.

Initially, B. Howard was announced as the U.S. representative, but he withdrew just days before the event. Subsequently, Australian-born singer Vassy, who recently gained U.S. citizenship, was named as his replacement. The circumstances surrounding these choices were rather unclear, and some questioned how these selections were made.

Furthermore, there was an announcement stating that Vassy couldn’t perform due to external political pressures. This led to further confusion about the U.S.’s representation in the contest, sparking doubt about the legitimate involvement of American artists and entities in the selection process.

Despite the proclaimed non-political nature of the contest, the Russian government seems to leverage such events to frame themselves as purveyors of a non-partisan cultural experience. Yet, many still associate the contest with political undertones. The Russian approach to portraying Intervision as a cultural event stands in stark contrast to Eurovision’s stringent rules about political expression, which continually evolve in response to shifting global circumstances.

While there may be little evidence indicating broad public interest in this revamped contest, it’s intriguing to note the Russian government’s attempts to stir enthusiasm, albeit with mixed results. As the event wrapped up, Saudi Arabia was announced as the host for the 2026 edition—which departs from Eurovision’s tradition of the previous year’s winner hosting.