Russia Revives Soviet-Era Intervision With 23 Nations in Cultural Rivalry

Russia is reviving the Intervision song contest as a Soviet-era alternative to Eurovision, from which it has been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The 2025 event, held in Moscow, features participants from about 23 countries including Russia's allies China, India, Brazil, and the United States, and aims to promote "traditional family values" and national identity, contrasting with Eurovision's more liberal and queer-friendly reputation. The Kremlin insists the contest is apolitical and cultural, but the line-up, including Russian ultranationalist singer Yaroslav Dronov, suggests political motivations aligned with Kremlin narratives. Intervision is seen by critics as a geopolitical tool for Russia to project soft power and counter Western cultural influence amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine. The event is overseen by senior Kremlin officials and is broadcast on Russian TV, with hopes of reaching over a billion viewers globally. Despite claims of fostering international cultural cooperation, the contest serves as a cultural front in the broader conflict between Russia and the West.