Russia plans Intervision contest to rival Eurovision in 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to revive the Intervision music contest, scheduled for 2025 in Moscow, as a competitor to the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) from which Russia was banned following its invasion of Ukraine. The Intervision contest, which originated during the Soviet era, aims to promote international cultural and humanitarian cooperation and is expected to attract participation from nearly 20 countries, including members of the BRICS and CIS blocs. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko will lead the organizing committee, with significant political backing from the Kremlin. The revival is seen as a response to the loss of the ESC, which has historically been popular in Russia, especially after Dima Bilan's victory in 2008. The contest is intended to focus on what Russian officials describe as