As expected, Ukraine is out, won’t compete in TLV

Ukrainian broadcaster, following Maruv's withdrawal, has failed to to find a replacement entrant for Tel Aviv. Moments ago, as we sadly expected earlier this week, they have released the following statement where they officially announce that they would not take part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. 

"The Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity for every country to showcase itself in an international area, and for each performer to act as an ambassador of their country and win fans from around the world. But the national selection this year has drawn attention to a systemic problem with the music industry in Ukraine – the connection of artists with an aggressor state with whom we are in the fifth year of military conflict. Whilst for some, these links are acceptable, for others it causes indignation and unacceptance. Given the current sitation, and following Ukrainian law on public broadcasting, as well as conditions of excessive politicization of the national selection process, UA:PBC has decided to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest."

 The European Broadcasting Union has released the following statement: 

“Each participating broadcaster is responsible for the selection of their act for the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance to the rules set out by the European Broadcasting Union. It is with sadness that the EBU can confirm that Ukraine’s broadcasterUA:PBC has informed the EBU that, following further discussions, theyhave made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. There will be further discussions between the EBU and UA:PBC on this matter but we hope to see them again in 2020. However, for now, welook forward to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic event in Tel Aviv in May.”

 How will the EBU deal with this situation is yet to be known, but most likely, Ukraine will be fined for their last minute withdrawal (three months after the participation deadline). We here at escglobe.com use this opportunity to remind our readers that our site is apolitical. We do however call all participating countries to put politics aside and celebrate Eurovision. This is why Eurovision was created! We hope to see Ukraine back in the competition next year, and we will sure miss them in Tel Aviv.

Conchita Wurst just reminded us how brave she is and how much we ❤️ Her!

Earlier today, Conchita Wurst, who won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest,  took to Instagram and went public with her HIV status.

Conchita, the alter ego of Austrian artist Tom Neuwirt, shared with her followers that she has been HIV+ for many years, and decided to come out with this news following a threat by one of her ex boyfriends to out her.

In a very emotional statement the 2014 ESC winners writes: “Today is the day I am free from the Sword of Damocles for the rest of my life: I have been HIV positive for many years. This is actually irrelevant to the public, but an ex-boyfriend threatens to go public with this information, and I will not give anyone the right to frighten me and influence my life in the future. Since I received the diagnosis, I am in medical treatment, and for many years without interruption under the detection limit [undetectable], so not able to pass on the virus.” 

Conchita continues to say: “ Coming out is better than being outed by someone else. I hope to have the courage to fight stigmatization of people who have become infected by HIV, either through their own behaviour or through no fault of their own.

‘To my fans: the information about my HIV status may be news to you – my status is not! I’m well and I’m stronger, more motivated and liberated than ever. Thank you for your support!’‘ 

Conchita’s statement is a good reminder of how much we love her, and how brave she is. HIV, despite becoming a controlled and manageable chronic disease, is still stigmatized in our society. Find out how you can help break the stigma by clicking HERE and don’t forget to FOLLOW Conchita on IG and LIKE her post.

heute ist der tag gekommen, mich für den rest meines lebens von einem damoklesschwert zu befreien: ich bin seit vielen jahren hiv-positiv. das ist für die öffentlichkeit eigentlich irrelevant, aber ein ex-freund droht mir, mit dieser privaten information an die öffentlichkeit zu gehen, und ich gebe auch in zukunft niemandem das recht, mir angst zu machen und mein leben derart zu beeinflussen. seit ich die diagnose erhalten habe, bin ich in medizinischer behandlung, und seit vielen jahren unterbrechungsfrei unter der nachweisgrenze, damit also nicht in der lage, den virus weiter zu geben. ich wollte aus mehreren gründen bisher nicht damit an die öffentlichkeit gehen, nur zwei davon will ich hier nennen: der wichtigste war mir meine familie, die seit dem ersten tag bescheid weiss und mich bedingungslos unterstützt hat. ihnen hätte ich die aufmerksamkeit für den hiv-status ihres sohnes, enkels und bruders gerne erspart. genauso wissen meine freunde seit geraumer zeit bescheid und gehen in einer unbefangenheit damit um, die ich jeder und jedem betroffenen wünschen würde. zweitens ist es eine information, die meiner meinung nach hauptsächlich für diejenigen menschen von relevanz ist, mit denen sexueller kontakt infrage kommt. coming out ist besser als von dritten geoutet zu werden. ich hoffe, mut zu machen und einen weiteren schritt zu setzen gegen die stigmatisierung von menschen, die sich durch ihr eigenes verhalten oder aber unverschuldet mit hiv infiziert haben. an meine fans: die information über meinen hiv-status mag neu für euch sein – mein status ist es nicht! es geht mir gesundheitlich gut, und ich bin stärker, motivierter und befreiter denn je. danke für eure unterstützung!

A post shared by conchita (@conchitawurst) on Apr 15, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT

2018 Album Now Available to Download or Stream in the USA!

We were excited to wake up this morning with a text, notifying us that the Eurovision 2018 album, with all 43 tracks, is now available to download or stream in the USA. YaY!

While on some online music stores here in the USA, the album is not available for purchase, there are still plenty of platforms, including Spotify, and Apple Music, where you can easily play or download any of the 2018 songs.  

We have seen many different playlists out there in recent weeks, where quality of the sound is compromised, people using ileggit sources or not even official versions, so we strongly recommend using this official one.