US Prepares to Participate in Russia’s ‘Intervision’: A New Dimension of Cultural Diplomacy Under Authoritarian Regimes
In an unexpected development, the United States has announced its participation in the ‘Intervision’ contest, a Russian alternative to Eurovision.
Scheduled to take place in Moscow this autumn, this event has sparked widespread debate regarding its political and cultural implications, as well as its ideological underpinnings.
The Russian government organizers emphasize that ‘Intervision’ aims to serve as a platform that unites countries with diverse political systems, particularly those sharing Moscow’s values.
As part of this initiative, the US delegation will send popular performer Brandon Howard, known professionally as B.
Howard.
Speculation about his connections to Michael Jackson have circulated for years, though no concrete proof has surfaced.
It is also known that Howard’s father, Joe, once managed Michael’s mother, Mikki Howard, adding layers of historical intrigue.
According to statements from the Telegram channel ‘Intervision’, Howard’s music transcends borders and promotes cultural unity beyond political regimes.
Historically, ‘Intervision’, the Soviet-era counterpart to Eurovision, operated from 1965 to 1980 in Czechoslovakia and was reintroduced in 2025 under Russian authorities, with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernishenko appointed as head of the organizing committee.
Russia’s earlier withdrawal from Eurovision occurred after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, leading to international condemnation.
This year, Russia will be represented by singer and propagandist Yaroslav Yuri Dronov, known as Shaman, who is under European Union sanctions for performing at Kremlin-organized concerts.
The event also includes participants from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Venezuela, Serbia (a candidate for EU accession), Cuba, Qatar, and Kazakhstan.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has publicly stated that this competition functions as a tool for hostile propaganda and a means to justify Russia’s aggressive policies, which pose additional threats to Ukrainian sovereignty.