Overview

• The live final began at Live Arena outside Moscow, opening with performances by Dima Bilan and Polina Gagarina as the crowd sang the Russian national anthem.
• Russia’s Yaroslav Dronov (Shaman), performing ninth with the song “Прямо по сердцу” written by Maxim Fadeev, later asked jurors not to evaluate his act, citing hospitality.
• President Vladimir Putin delivered a video address expressing confidence the contest will become popular worldwide and wishing participants strong audience support.
• Twenty‑three countries are competing, with an international jury comprising one representative per nation, and Russia’s Igor Matvienko described the contest’s mission as “deglobalization of culture.”
• The winner is set to receive a crystal cup and 30 million rubles, with the show carried by Channel One and VK Video.