Ukrainian rapper alyona alyona spoke out on May 15th in her Instagram Stories, calling her team’s statement about being fined by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for wearing «Free Azovstal Defenders» t-shirts a mistake.
For those unfamiliar with the situation, the Ukrainian delegation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, wore t-shirts with the slogan «Free Azovstal Defenders» during their first rehearsal. This was in support of the workers at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, Ukraine, who have been on strike since March 2021 in protest of the company’s new management. The EBU, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, fined the Ukrainian delegation 6,000 euros for violating the rules that prohibit political messages during the event.
In response to the fine, alyona alyona, who represented Ukraine at the contest with her song «Kolir,» initially defended the team’s decision to wear the t-shirts, stating that it was a way to show solidarity with the workers and bring attention to their cause. However, she later retracted her statement and apologized for causing any controversy.
In her Instagram Stories, alyona alyona explained that she had not been fully informed about the situation and had misunderstood the intentions behind the t-shirts. She also clarified that the team had not intended to make a political statement and that it was simply a gesture of support for the workers.
The rapper’s apology was met with mixed reactions from fans and the Ukrainian public. Some praised her for taking responsibility and showing maturity, while others criticized her for not standing by her initial statement.
It is important to note that the situation at Azovstal Iron and Steel Works is a complex and ongoing issue that has sparked debates and protests in Ukraine. The workers are demanding better working conditions and job security under the new management, which they believe is not prioritizing their well-being.
In light of this, alyona alyona’s initial statement and the team’s decision to wear the t-shirts can be seen as a way to use their platform at the Eurovision Song Contest to bring attention to a pressing issue in their home country. However, the EBU’s rules against political messages at the event are in place to ensure that the focus remains on the music and not on any political agenda.
Despite the controversy, alyona alyona’s message of support for the workers at Azovstal Iron and Steel Works has not gone unnoticed. Many fans have praised her for using her platform to shed light on important social issues and for standing up for what she believes in.
In the end, the situation serves as a reminder that artists, especially those in the public eye, have a responsibility to use their platform for good and to raise awareness about important issues. While the EBU’s decision to fine the Ukrainian delegation may have been necessary to uphold the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, it should not overshadow the message of solidarity and support that alyona alyona and her team were trying to convey.
