Alina Pash will not go to Turin
The Ukrainian singer Alina Pash has withdrawn from the ESC this year. Due to the Ukrainian law she is not egible to enter Crimea and representing the Ukraine in Eurovision.
What would be Eurovision without scandals? This time it has hit the Ukrainian representative Alina Pash. Last Saturday she has been selected to perform “Тіні забутих предків' ('Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors)” in the national final Vidbir. Unfortunately, she has withdrawn from her participation according to an agreement between the organizing committee for Vidbir and the Ukrainian broadcaster NTU. Due to the Ukrainian law it’s not allowed for Ukrainian citizens to travel to Crimea, since the occupation in 2014. Alina could not rule it out completely that she did so.
On Twitter Alina wrote:
“I am a citizen of Ukraine, I follow the laws of Ukraine, I try to bring the traditions and values of Ukraine to the world.
What this story turned out to be is not at all what I put into my song.
I am an artist, not a politician. I do not have an army of PR people, managers, lawyers to resist all this attack and pressure, the break-in of my social networks; threats. And also absolutely unacceptable wording that people allow themselves without understanding the situation and forgetting about the dignity of every citizen of Ukraine.
I don't want this virtual war and hatred. The main war now is an external one, which came to my country in 2014.
I don't want to be in this dirty story anymore. With a heavy heart I withdraw my candidacy as the representative of Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest. Unfortunately. I'm really sorry.
We will contact the Public and sign all the necessary documents.
Separately, I want to thank everyone who supports and helps me, who hears my song and important message, not gossip about me. Thanks!
We have a story going on with you, and we have to decide what it will be ❤
Let's unite! Now it is more important than ever!
💛🇺🇦💙”
We will see, who is going to replace the spot in Turin for Alina.
