Earlier today it became known that Georgia has decided to withdraw from the contest. Yesterday it was revealed that EBU would disqualify the Georgian entry unless they changed the lyrics of the song (due to the clearly political submeaning) or choose a new song altogether before the 16th March deadline. Obviously under pressure from Russia, Georgia has now decided to withdraw. For reference, this is what the EBU rule says:
4.9 The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows or the Eurovision Song Contest as such into disrepute. No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the Eurovision Song Contest. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs. No commercial messages of any kind shall be allowed. A breach of this rule may result in disqualification.
Personally, I think it's a shame they are withdrawing, would have been nice to have them in the contest with at least an altered version of the song or a new song... But at the same time I can understand their decision. Now they still have their pride in tact and deserve the respect for not amending to EBU's rules. I really believe in freedom of speech. We have that in music released elsewhere (artists expressing their stand musically/lyrically) so why is it banned to have an opinion on something in Eurovision? I mean, if you don't like it you don't have to vote for it. To quote a message left in the forum of the website http://www.esctoday.com/: "In the name of keeping politics out of the contest, the EBU has actually allowed politics into the contest by allowing politics to affect their decision." I think that says it all.
With respect to the Georgian entry, let us one more time enjoy their entry, "We Don't Wanna Put In" by Stephanie & 3G.
4.9 The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows or the Eurovision Song Contest as such into disrepute. No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the Eurovision Song Contest. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs. No commercial messages of any kind shall be allowed. A breach of this rule may result in disqualification.
Personally, I think it's a shame they are withdrawing, would have been nice to have them in the contest with at least an altered version of the song or a new song... But at the same time I can understand their decision. Now they still have their pride in tact and deserve the respect for not amending to EBU's rules. I really believe in freedom of speech. We have that in music released elsewhere (artists expressing their stand musically/lyrically) so why is it banned to have an opinion on something in Eurovision? I mean, if you don't like it you don't have to vote for it. To quote a message left in the forum of the website http://www.esctoday.com/: "In the name of keeping politics out of the contest, the EBU has actually allowed politics into the contest by allowing politics to affect their decision." I think that says it all.
With respect to the Georgian entry, let us one more time enjoy their entry, "We Don't Wanna Put In" by Stephanie & 3G.
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