Photo: Albin Olsson
Advertisement
Austrian Thomas Neuwirth, better known as Conchita Wurst, won Eurovision—and enemies
But life in Russia hasn’t changed. “Two worlds. Two childhoods.”@MikeAnissimov @akarlin88 Зато, Русский Мир – По Прежнему… pic.twitter.com/4nlVTqrYed
— Alexei Alexeev (@ALEXEI_LIVE) May 11, 2014
Rykov: For the first time in two weeks, I’m compelled to shave.@rykov Представляю как чувствует себя Бабай pic.twitter.com/BnCN5X3TNf
— Igor Demyanov (@igoryan76) May 11, 2014
Demyanov: Just imagine how Babai must feel.The Russian nationalist website Sputnik & Pogrom tweeted an image warning Ukrainians that further European integration will expose them to the cultural values that celebrate people like Wurst. The message below uses Wurst’s face to try to scare people in Ukraine’s southeast into voting in the separatist referendum, scheduled for May 11.
Advertisement
Ukraine, you want into Europe? Conchita is waiting for Ukraine! May 11, either you go to the referendum, or the blue beard comes to you!Some of the most vitriolic posts online have involved men sharing photographs of themselves shaving in protest against Wurst. Rapper Aleksandr Stepanov, known as “ST,” uploaded to Instagram pictures of him shaving, with the message, “I pass the baton,” and the hashtag, “Prove that you’re not Conchita” (#докажичтотынекончита). Anton Korobkov, a popular pro-Kremlin blogger, also posted a “selfie” while shaving.Just watched Eurovision. Had to go shave.Another Russian rapper, Timur Yunusov, better known as “Timati,” responded to Stepanov’s Instagram post with high praise. Yunusov also thanked Vladimir Putin for “banning gay parades in Moscow,” and criticized Europe for “normalizing” bearded women. The rapper explained that he would likely assault any gay couple in Russia that dared to hold hands and kiss in public.АААААААААААААА pic.twitter.com/lPN52iS3TS
— Sputnik & Pogrom (@sputnikipogrom) May 10, 2014