ESCKAZ.COM REPORTS / UKRAINE – PR director of the National Public TV and Radio Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) Victoriia Sydorenko admitted that at the moment they are not negotiating with any of the participants of the National Selection. She announced this live speaking on Radio Liberty.
“Today, right now at this moment we are not conducting any negotiations with anyone. We are considering all the options for further development of this situation, we are holding consultations. As a Public Broadcaster, we respect the choice of the audience and, of course, the results of national selection and the audience’s confidence. Since MARUV did not agree to sign the contract, we offered such an agreement to the participants who took second place and, accordingly, the third place when the second place rejected, “Sydorenko commented.
After that, the PR director of UA:PBC has added that the band Freedom Jazz and KAZKA had refused to participate in Eurovision 2019 when they were invited by phone. According to Sydorenko, they did not even get acquainted with the terms of the contract. Sydorenko reminds that UA:PBC should name the participant from Ukraine in the first week of March.
After being approached by the UA: PBC, the group Brunettes Shoot Blondes have assured that they will not accept the invitation to the Festival Eurovision 2019: “We did not win the contest, this trip is not ours”.
In an interview with “KP in Ukraine”, the singer MARUV spoke about the controversial clauses of the agreement with UA:PBC, the prospect of going to the Eurovision from another country, tours in Russia, her critics and plans for the future.
I do not regret anything! In life, I am a fighter, I’m not afraid of difficulties, but in the current situation, you can simply state a fact: everything what is done is all for the best!
The subject of disputes were the conditions according to which I am obliged to fulfill any requirements of UA:PBC and huge fines, restrictions in free communication with the press and the expression of my thoughts. My team and UA:PBC representatives were involved in it.
Before participating in the national selection, the artist signs a contract with the broadcaster (that is, with the STB, which conducts the national selection). After the victory, my team has got just 24 hours on the study of the second contract with UA:PBC, to take the decision whether to sign this contract. I would not like to say again and again that I was ready to give up on tours in Russia, although at the legislative level this is not a violation of any laws, but the fines of two million hryvnias would make any sensible person to think. And, frankly, the impression was created that the contract was drafted without the final check of competent lawyers, contained errors and the possibility of double interpretation of many clauses. I’m not sure that in previous years the winners signed the very same edition of the contract.
The contract is not so black as it is painted. The Public Broadcaster of Ukraine has disclosed the terms of the contract with the participant who will be representing Ukraine at the Eurovision 2019.
– Not to allow any speeches, gestures and other actions not included in the previously agreed script during the time on the stage and during the filming.
– To participate in the rehearsals, filming, television and radio programs, promotional tours, press conferences, interviews and other events as determined by the organizer.
– Not to hold press conferences and not give interviews on the preparation and conduct of the Eurovision without prior agreement.
– Not to allow any actions, statements or manifestations that may have a political ground or may be used in a political aspect.
– Not to allow statements that may call into question the issue of territorial integrity and security of Ukraine.
– Not to tour in the Russian Federation from the date of signing the contract and for another 3 months after the end of the contest.
– Own condition of the Public broadcaster, not provided by the EBU, but this year included in the contract. Currently the Ukrainian legislation does not envisage such – To prepare the necessary documents for the entry into the territory of the host country of the Eurovision.
– To bear all the costs associated with the participation in Eurovision.
– To transfer particular intellectual property rights to the contest entry and rights to materials used in connection with the Eurovision.
– To pay a fine in case of breach of obligations or in a case of damage.