Moscow security department bans parade to honour Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst

May 16, 2014 21:04

An application for The Conchita Wurst March of Bearded Women and Men was rejected

Russian officials have banned a parade set to honour Eurovision winner, Austrian drag act Conchita Wurst.

The application for the Conchita Wurst March of Bearded Women and Men was denied by Moscow's security department, reports The Guardian. It was hoped that the parade would take place on May 27, to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the legalisation of homosexuality in Russia.

Billboard writes that a spokesperson for the security department said that the application for the march was rejected because of "concerns it would provoke clashes between gays and their opponents."

Conchita Wurst previously said that she hoped her Eurovision victory would help to spread a message of tolerance and respect around Europe. Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, was crowned winner of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest earlier this month. In Vienna she told reporters that the victory was not just personal, "but a victory for those people who believe in a future that can function without discrimination and is based on tolerance and respect".

The singer won the competition in Denmark capital Copenhagen with the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix', collecting 290 points. The Netherlands finished second with 238 points, with Sweden in third place with 218 points. After being crowned winner at the ceremony, Wurst shouted: "We are unity and we are unstoppable".

In Vienna, she explained: "That was obviously meant for certain politicians whom we all know". Asked if she was talking about Vladimir Putin, whose anti-gay laws in Russia have come under fierce criticism, Wurst said "among others".

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Linkin Park plays "Transformers" show in Moscow

Mike Shinoda of rock band Linkin Park performs on stage at the Yas Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi November 13, 2010.

Credit: Reuters/Jumana El-Heloueh

By Vladimir Kozlov

Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:41pm EDT

MOSCOW (Hollywood Reporter) - The U.S. alternative band Linkin Park played an outdoor show in Moscow, near Red Square, on Thursday in support of the world premiere of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

The entrance to the show was free, but only to those who won tickets through the FM station Energy and men's magazine Maxim, which has helped to keep attendance to figures acceptable in the city's historic center.

"Linkin Park have always been huge 'Transformers' fans," the movie's director Michael Bay told a news conference a few hours before the show. "They do very 'movie-esque' kind of music. We've had a good run - their tracks for the first two movies became number one hits, and their song for this movie fit in perfectly."

In Moscow, in addition to "Iridescent" from the soundtrack of the third 'Transformers' movie, Linkin Park performed two dozen songs, mostly from their most recent album, 2010's "A Thousand Sins." Bay and "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf, who also showed up in Moscow for the premiere, were seen in the VIP area during the concert.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

View the original article here

Linkin Park plays "Transformers" show in Moscow (Reuters)

MOSCOW (Hollywood Reporter) – The U.S. alternative band Linkin Park played an outdoor show in Moscow, near Red Square, on Thursday in support of the world premiere of "Transformers: Dark of the Moon."

The entrance to the show was free, but only to those who won tickets through the FM station Energy and men's magazine Maxim, which has helped to keep attendance to figures acceptable in the city's historic center.

"Linkin Park have always been huge 'Transformers' fans," the movie's director Michael Bay told a news conference a few hours before the show. "They do very 'movie-esque' kind of music. We've had a good run - their tracks for the first two movies became number one hits, and their song for this movie fit in perfectly."

In Moscow, in addition to "Iridescent" from the soundtrack of the third 'Transformers' movie, Linkin Park performed two dozen songs, mostly from their most recent album, 2010's "A Thousand Sins." Bay and "Transformers" star Shia LaBeouf, who also showed up in Moscow for the premiere, were seen in the VIP area during the concert.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

View the original article here