Eurovision 2021 news, features & reactions
It has been confirmed that Belorussian duo VAL will not be returning to Eurovision 2021 for Belarus after relations between the duo and the Belorussian broadcaster BTRC have broken down due to political reasons surrounding the situation that is ongoing in Belarus at the current time, as well issues regarding their contract.
VAL and BTRC have both released statements on the matter. In an interview with IL, VAL appeared to be rather critical of the Belorussian broadcaster, and the way that they had been treated by them, claiming that BTRC had become distant with them. They went on to mention that they had an “unspoken agreement” with the broadcaster who controlled who they could talk to, and where they could perform.
After this interview, the broadcaster hit out at VAL, saying: “After reading the interview, we want to say only one thing. The VAL group will really not go to Eurovision 2021 and this will happen not because something “broke” on BT or the censorship is raging, but because the artists of the VAL group have no conscience.”
VAL did not have an official contract with BTRC, only an “unspoken agreement” as such, which the broadcaster pointed out.
The broadcaster also had a lot to say about VAL’s claims that they were distant with them, and didn’t offer them much support with regards to their Eurovision 2020 journey.
VAL were due to represent Belarus at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam with their song “Da Vidna”, but unfortunatley were unable to do so due to the cancellation of the contest.