Rotterdam 2021🇧🇾 Belarus

🇧🇾 BTRC will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2021

None of this week's shows are listed in the state broadcaster's programming schedule

It appears that Belarus’ BTRC will not be broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. This will perhaps come as little surprise to those who followed the ongoing story of the broadcaster politicising their participation with an entry that breached the rules of the contest.

As noted by Wiwibloggs, Belarus’ state press agency’s television schedule BelTA does not list any of the three shows this week. Although television schedules are subject to change and movement, alternative programming being listed where the Grand Final is a strong indication that the channel will not be broadcasting the contest.

Fans of the contest living in Belarus will still be able to watch the contest via the international version of Russia’s Channel One, which is available in Belarus.

Eurovoix has published a short summary of the political events that are ongoing in the state.

Belarus in Eurovision 2021

Back in March, BTRC internally selected Galasy ZMesta to represent Belarus at Eurovision 2021. Their first entry, “Ya Nauchu Tebya”, was rejected by the EBU, ruling that the song “puts the non-political nature of the Contest in question“. 

After the original ruling from the EBU, BRTC had the chance to submit a new entry. They received an extended deadline for their new entry. Following rumours spreading about the replacement songs submitted, the EBU later announced that a new song had indeed been put forward.

However, the EBU decided that the new song once again was in breach of the Eurovision Song Contest rules. The EBU did not confirm why the new entry was ineligible. It is however fair to assume that Galasy ZMesta’s second song once again contained lyrics of a political nature. The EBU therefore ruled that Belarus would no longer be taking part at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

The EBU have so far not announced whether this will affect the Belarusian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest from 2022 onwards. Belarus were supposed to compete in the first half of tonight’s first semifinal in Rotterdam.

Are you disappointed at Belarus’ current trajectory in regards to the contest? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter@escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our live streams in the run-up to Rotterdam!

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