Conchita Wurst's Eurovision win has been branded "the
end of Europe" by Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
After last night's 2014 song contest in Copenhagen, Russian
state television broadcast a debate on her victory, as politicians and
celebrities launched a hate-filled attack.
Outspoken ultranationalist MP Zhirinovsky called this year's
result "the end of Europe," saying: "There is no limit to our
outrage.
"It has turned wild. There are no more men or women in
Europe, just it ."
Elsewhere, President Vladimir Putin's vice premier Dmitry
Rogozin issued a scathing tweet claiming the Eurovision result "showed supporters
of European integration their European future - a bearded girl".
Speaking on BBC's Breakfast today, Moscow Correspondent
Steve Rosenberg said of Russia's reaction: "[They didn't take it] well at
all."
He then went on to describe "the general mood of great
criticism" during the live discussion, which aired shortly after the
winner was announced.
The shocking comments come after Russia tried to ban
Conchita from performing her song - Rise Like a Phoenix - at the event.
Her selection had already proved controversial, with
petitions filed in Russia, Belarus and Armenia to either have her removed, or
edited out of the broadcast in their countries.
Drag queen Conchita has also been the subject of jokes on
Russian comedy programmes, with one person commenting on a video of the singer:
"There is information that Conchita is a CIA project that is designed to
destroy the moral and spiritual values in Russia."
But Vladimir Putin's anti-gay laws, restricting the spread
of information on what was called 'non traditional sexual relations' did not go
down well with last night's audience.
Russia's entry, The Tolmachevy Sisters, were greeted by loud
boos from those in the venue, with many of the onlookers waving rainbow flags.
The tension then reached boiling point during the results
announcements, which saw Russia receive further boos with every point received.
Russia's live television debate did backfire at one point
though, when the writer of their own entry defended Conchita in a live link-up
with Copenhagen.
He reportedly said: "Perhaps Conchita's victory should
make Russians think again about their attitudes to 'non traditional sexual
relations'."
But Conchita Wurst has not let the criticism get to her,
saying her victory shows that Europe is, in fact, a tolerant and accepting
place.
Speaking at a press conference after the event, the Austrian
singer was asked whether she had a message for Putin. She replied: "We are
unstoppable.
"I really dream of a world where we don't have to talk
about unnecessary things like sexuality, where you're from or who you love.
This is not what it's all about."
She added: "I really felt like tonight, Europe showed
that we are a unity full of respect and tolerance."
Read more from Conchita's press conference here and follow
all the latest news and reaction to last night's results here.
No comments:
Post a Comment