Guardian UK. : Russian Bear is back with Eurovision, sport wins - by Guy Faulconbridge
Russian bear is back with Eurovision, sport wins - by Guy Faulconbridge
The Russian bear is back on the world stage and political leaders are making the most of it. Wins in the Eurovision Song Contest, on the ice rink and the soccer field have given Russia, already bolstered by a world bull market for oil and eight years of calm in the Kremlin, a new feeling of confidence. Dima Bilan, a lithe 26-year-old singer, beat 24 contestants to give Russia its first victory in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with a rock ballad "Believe". During his performance, Russian Olympic gold figure skating medallist Evgeni Plushenko danced around him on skates and Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton played a Stradivarius. "Russia's victories are coming one after another -- football, hockey and now Eurovision," Bilan, draped in a Russian tricolour flag and his shirt open, told reporters in Belgrade after the contest.
Labels: EU, Eurovision Song festival, Russia
