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Georgia pulls out of 2009 Eurovision song contest in Russia

12 March 2009 08:04 (UTC +04:00)

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) officially informed Georgia on Tuesday that its entry did not comply with the rules of the competition, which do not permit "lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature."
The group Stephane & 3G were chosen to represent Georgia in Moscow with a song entitled We Don’t Wanna Put In, a clear reference to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
"The group refuses to change the lyrics," said Natia Uznadze, who was in charge of the competition that chose the country’s entry.
Georgia’s official letter to the event’s context executive director said: "Georgia’s public broadcaster does not intend to rewrite the lyrics and refuses to take part in the Eurovision song contest. The broadcaster does not agree with your decision and believes it to be ungrounded."
Georgia said the song had no political context. However, the group earlier admitted their song was a protest against Russia’s policies.
Meanwhile, Eurovision official Jarmo Siim told RIA Novosti by phone from the Estonian capital of Tallinn that the organizing committee had not received an official notification from Georgia and could not comment.
"We have not received any official withdrawal notification. As soon as we get it, we will post it on our website," he said.
Georgia could either rewrite the lyrics of the song or choose another entry. The deadline for participating countries is March 16.
The South Caucasus state’s culture minister accused Russia on Wednesday of pressurizing the contest organizers.

Eurovision