The reaction of “Eurovision Kosovo” on social networks accusing Serbia of “not being able to separate politics from Eurovision”, has received international attention. The German newspaper “Frankfurter Rundschau” writes that it is alleged that the song “Yugoslavia”, which aims to represent Serbia in “Eurovision”, according to the reaction “glorifies” Yugoslavia and that the European Broadcasting Union will not allow it if Belgrade applies. “But the criticism from Kosovo has significantly increased its chances”, writes “Frankfurter Rundschau”
Political clashes with light notes are increasingly predetermining the fate of Eurovision. The German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau wonders whether new clashes will erupt over Serbia’s Zejna’s song “Jugoslavija” if she qualifies for Vienna.
“Eurovision”, conceived as an entertaining spectacle, is once again casting a political shadow, writes “Frankfurter Rundschau” about the “endless competitions where golden voices chirp” to be selected for the main competition of this year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in the Austrian capital in May. “Ahead of the first Serbian semi-final this Tuesday (February 24), one of the favorites, singer Zejna Murkić, was in the Balkans for cross-border controversy, even clashes, with her ode ‘Jugoslavija'”, writes the newspaper’s correspondent in Belgrade, Tomas Rozer. He recalls that, because of this song, at the beginning of the month, the “Eurovision Kosovo” account reacted on the X network, accusing Serbia of “not being able to separate politics from Eurovision”.
That account claims that the song “glorifies” Yugoslavia and that the European Broadcasting Union will not allow it if Belgrade submits it.
“Frankfurter Rundschau” writes that Kosovo is not part of the European Broadcasting Union at all and that it is not clear who is behind the “Eurovision Kosovo” account. However, the message has attracted attention in Serbia and other former Yugoslav republics. The newspaper asks whether “Eurovision” is facing another “Balkan quarrel” after the controversy over Israel’s performance. The Frankfurt daily reports that Zejna (39) herself assures that the song has nothing to do with politics. In Serbia, this newspaper writes, she is considered an activist for Roma and women’s rights, is also known as the godmother of the Pride Parade in Belgrade and supports student protests.
“Yugoslavia is a metaphor and Yugoslavia is a dream. My song is about love, people, unity and hope,” the singer said. In the song’s lyrics, as the newspaper describes, Zejna praises morality, integrity, family and homeland as things “that money cannot destroy.”
The Frankfurter Rundschau reminds less informed readers that Yugoslavia existed as a kingdom and as a socialist federation – which disintegrated in a bloody war – and finally as a union of Serbia and Montenegro. “Evaluations of Yugoslavia continue to be divided to this day in the seven successor states,” wrote journalist Rozer. According to him, critics point out the authoritarianism and subjugation of the peoples by the former Yugoslav leadership. “Some older people remember a relatively carefree life together in a multiethnic country without borders,” wrote the Frankfurter Rundschau. Often, minorities in Yugoslavia see it as a model for more tolerance and less nationalism, the newspaper pointed out.
Zejna’s song “Jugoslavija”, it is further added, may be subject to review by the European Broadcasting Union only if it is indeed selected for the final competition. But criticism from Kosovo, the newspaper writes, has significantly increased its chances – “Jugoslavija” has the most clicks on YouTube of all the candidates claiming to represent Serbia at “Eurovision”.