Times Ahead: The Intervision contest has been released in New York
Broadway was painted in the colors of the Russian flag. The Intervision promos began to be broadcast on huge billboards in New York. For five days in a row, in the very center of Manhattan, in Times Square, they will show views of the Kremlin and talk about the international music competition in Russia, in which singers from 23 countries will take part. Izvestia visited the Big Apple and talked to ordinary Americans.
To see them together
Monday morning in New York turned out to be sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Someone is in a hurry to go to work or study, someone is leisurely strolling through the city center. Little attention is paid to billboards with commercials flashing one after the other. Until the Moscow Kremlin appears on the facade of the skyscraper. It's hard to ignore this!
The 17 x 10 m interactive billboard is located on Broadway, between 46th and 47th Streets. The second screen is nearby, between 43rd and 44th Streets. Its dimensions are slightly smaller, 16 x 8. But the place is iconic: the theater quarter. Nearby are the editorial office of The New York Times, the Lyceum Theater, where the famous Mamma Mia musical is playing, and the Bryant Park urban oasis in New York. The video will be broadcast 44 times a day from September 15th to 19th.
The appearance of the Intervision screensaver on the background of Moscow's landmarks came as a surprise to Americans. It's not every day that you see the words "Russia, Moscow" on a huge billboard. Izvestia talked to the first audience in Times Square.
"This music video is very cool,— Lat Thi said. — All these countries, I would like to see them together.
— In my opinion, this is a great idea, the video recommends people to go watch, — a passerby who introduced himself as Lyuben agrees with him. — I think Intervision is a great competition that will bring more people together.
And the girl with the extremely red hair, Tia, appreciated the scope of the organization.
— I think it's wonderful that everyone gathers and plays music, — smiles Tia. — I think this is good, because it will teach the younger generation that although we are all different, there are not too many differences in us. We can get along and do things together without drama. It is very cool!
Despite all the anti-Russian propaganda, passers-by react without negativity. Latoya, after watching the video of the contest, in which the United States will participate, exclaimed: "It was very interesting. Today, people all over the world need to unite. This is very necessary for the current generation. That's why it's great that we can all come together."
And Japanese Shunsuke Miyakawa admitted to Izvestia that he would like to go to Moscow. "I like this music competition, and I would like to participate," the young man confessed to Izvestia.
Michael Jackson's son in Russia
Meanwhile, the Western press perceives the "Intervision" very painfully.
The American and British media are particularly embarrassed by the participation in the contest of American singer Brandon Howard, whom many consider to be the son of Michael Jackson.
"The Los Angeles-born artist will be the first to represent the United States at the revived Intervision song Contest in Russia, a cultural spectacle that is both a nostalgic memory and a modern geopolitical maneuver," writes The Guardian. Another quote: "Russia is shaking off the dust from the Intervision brand, which has hardly been used since 1980."
The real despair can be read in the headline of The Times:
"A Californian singer has been named a performer at the Eurovision Song Contest. Brandon Howard has been announced as the American representative at Intervision, a Kremlin—backed song contest featuring performers from North Korea and Saudi Arabia.
Well, the Reuters agency complains:
"Unlike Eurovision, which often pays homage to LGBT themes (the movement is recognized in Russia as extremist and banned. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, Intervision will adopt a more restrained tone, emphasizing respect for "traditional universal, spiritual and family values."
Russia plus 22 countries
While Western media are wondering who supports the Kremlin's alternative vision, participants from 22 countries are arriving in Moscow. Among them are the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Colombia, the United States, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, South Africa, as well as Serbia, which retains the status of an EU candidate country.
"I'm just delighted with Intervision and I can't wait to perform and have this wonderful experience with all the participants from different countries," Dana Al—Mir, a participant from Qatar, admitted to Izvestia. — I am so glad to see everyone here, and maybe in the future I will even be able to sing in Russian.
The sweet-voiced Wang Xi flew in from China. At home, he is compared to Elvis Presley. Due to his attractive appearance, the graduate of the Shenyang Conservatory took part in the "Most Beautiful Asian Face" competition. The singer speaks several languages and has acted in films.
"This is my first time in Moscow," Wang Xi told Izvestia. — First of all, I plan to explore the main sights of the city. And, of course, it is worthy to present the history and culture of China with your speech at Intervision.
More than just participating in a song contest, coming to Intervision is also for a representative of the United States. According to the artist, the song "We are champions" marks the beginning of a new chapter in his work. "This is an incendiary anthem created for stadiums, festivals and global unity," admits Brandon Howard.
Viewers from all over the world will be able to see the result of large-scale training on September 20. In the meantime, it remains to keep an eye on the announcements, including on the main streets of New York.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
