Overview

• The live show at the Live Arena featured performers from 23 countries and opened with a duet by Dima Bilan and Polina Gagarina.
• Russia’s entrant Shaman performed “Pryamo po serdtsu,” then asked judges not to evaluate his act, saying he would not seek victory as host.
• Audience members sang the Russian national anthem and chanted “Russia,” with loud support during the parade of nations.
• The revived contest is a state-organized event initiated by a presidential decree, funded with a 750 million‑ruble subsidy via the Traditions of Art Foundation, and framed by organizers as a cultural alternative to Eurovision.
• The winner will receive a crystal cup and 30 million rubles, with one juror from each participating country on the panel and the Russian juror Igor Matvienko saying he views the contest as “deglobalization of culture” while not ruling out future public voting.