🇫🇮 Finland indicates they will boycott Eurovision 2022 if Russia participates

With just a day to go, until Finland holds its Eurovision 2022 national selection UMK22, Finnish broadcaster YLE has publicly expressed that if Russia were to participate in Turin in May, they will not be sending a performer, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Yle always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity”

In a statement released by YLE, their director of Creative Content and Media Unit; Ville Vilén, has appealed to the EBU to exclude Russia in this year’s competition:

Russia’s attack on Ukraine is contrary to all the values ​​that Yle and other European broadcasters represent. Yle always defends Western democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and human dignity. Yle cannot take part in an event where Russia, which has blatantly attacked these values, can use one of Europe’s best-known brands to advance its own interests. I hope that the EBU will act in accordance with its values

YLE’s statement on Russia’s participation (translated)

At the time of writing, the EBU is yet to respond to the appeal of its members, regarding this issue.

Details about UMK 2022

This year Finland’s national final is scheduled to take place at the Logomo in Turku. The show is to be hosted by Paula Vesala and Miisa Rotola Pukkila. The winner of UMK 2022 will be decided by an International jury who had 25% of the final vote and a national televote that had the other 75%. Blind Channel who came 6th at Eurovision 2021 will perform during the show.

Finland’s Eurovision Journey

Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then, they have competed 54 times, and appeared in the final 46 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 13 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points. Finland’s most recent entry was “Dark Side” by Blind Channel. In the Final, they gained a total of 301 points, earning them 6th place.

What are your thoughts on this developing situation? Should the EBU disallow Russia from Eurovision 2022? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow THAT Eurovision Site on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: YLE

Photo Source: YLE