Youth Talk

At the time of writing, it will have been exactly one month since Ukraine won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, with Jamala performing the song 1944.  For those who are unaware, the Eurovision has been running for more than 60 years and some of its winners include Sweden’s stars of the 1970s ABBA.

Known as the Olympics of music, each European country sends an artist and original song. After every song has been performed, the combined votes of national juries and the public televoting reveal the winner. Having watched the show live, the Ukrainian entry was one of my favourites.

The raw emotion channeled through Jamala’s captivating voice was simply breathtaking, as was the use of subdued visuals.  Lyrically the song describes the harrowing deportations of the entire ethnic Crimean Tartar population, carried out by Stalin, from their home in Ukraine to Central Asia.

Jamala has stated she wrote the song in memory of her great-grandmother who was one of the many victims.  Almost immediately after Ukraine’s victory the Russian media, national broadcaster, civilians and the Parliament condemned their rival’s victory.

Ahead of the contest Russia were the outright favourites to win the title. Major leaders have openly asserted that the vote was fixed out of sympathy for Ukraine’s position as the ‘oppressed’ and that Ukraine bought votes from neighbouring countries.

It is quite disappointing that a contest designed to promote unity and solidarity has instead sparked off such immature discontent. Naturally, it is disappointing to lose, especially given the immense investment Russia devoted towards their strong entry this year.

However, to completely discredit the Ukrainian entry’s artistic merit or emotional impact and claim it only won because of sympathy votes is very discontenting. And this problem doesn’t limit itself to just the Eurovision. Euro 2016 has already been marred by the actions of ‘over-enthusiastic fans’.

Quite ridiculously fans have taken to the streets of a foreign country, rioting because their team drew or lost. French police have been working overtime trying to quell drunken
rioters from damaging public property or attacking rival teams fans.

Russia and England were even threatened with disqualification from the entire tournament, solely because of the behaviour of their fans.

Pride for one’s country is important; jingoistic behaviour is undesirable, especially when concerning a song contest or football tournament - so much for unity, solidarity and promotion of peace.