At a Moscow concert hall, Shohruhmirzo Ganiyev is crooning about love and his motherland, Uzbekistan.
Put your legs together like a man, suggests his voice coach and choreographer. And spread your arms wider!
It's just a rehearsal, but Shohruhmirzo is singing his heart out. He's performing traditional Uzbek melodies to a modern beat and playing a doira, the ancient drum of Central Asia.
Uzbekistan is among 23 countries competing at the Intervision Song Contest, Russia's answer to Eurovision, aiming for a spectacle that emphasizes Kremlin values over flashy kitsch.
Intervision 2025, a concept borne from Vladimir Putin's directive, seeks to foster international cultural cooperation—though critics argue it serves primarily as a way for Russia to showcase its global connections in light of its recent isolation from major international events like Eurovision.
This competition invites nations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to participate, such as China, South Africa, and Brazil, showcasing a diverse political and cultural representation shaped by Russia's foreign alliances.
While the event reflects Russia's desires, it also comes with suspicions. Ukrainian officials have condemned Intervision as a propaganda tool intended to divert attention from the war in Ukraine.
Despite the concerns, performers express a commitment to cultural exchange, eager to share their heritage on this new platform.
As the participants prepare for the event amid backdrop of traditional Russian hospitality and elaborate preparations, it's a moment filled with both hope and apprehension, paving the way for a new chapter in music—albeit one draped in complex geopolitics.
