The Cuban singer Zulema Iglesias Salazar finished in 11th place at the International Music Contest “Intervision 2025,” held at the Live Arena in the Russian capital this Saturday.
The victory, as seen in the official broadcast of the contest, went to Vietnam. Zulema opened the gala with her song “Guaguancó”, which she authored, and had told EFE that she was “determined” to win the contest.
The festival, promoted by the Kremlin as an alternative of "traditional values" to Eurovision, unfolded amidst cheers from the Russian audience and constant propaganda statements from the presenters —two Russians, one Indian, and one Chinese—, featuring repeated messages about multipolarity.
The representation of the United States was canceled at the last minute, as announced during the broadcast.
Before the performances, a recorded message from President Vladimir Putin was broadcast, in which he predicted that Intervision would become “one of the most well-known and valued contests in the world.”
Present at the venue was Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who gave a brief interview immediately after Zulema's performance.
The organization of the contest was conceived after Russia's expulsion from Eurovision due to the war in Ukraine, and it has been presented as a soft power tool to counter what the Kremlin describes as “degenerate Western values.”
Among the guests was Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple, Rainbow), a member of the jury, while the Russian artist Shaman declared, “Russia has already won because everyone is here.” Attendees and invited figures admitted to having favorites before seeing the performances.
In the scene, Intervisión blended modern pop and traditional roots with a "carnival of cultures" featuring a digital aesthetic, including humanoid avatars created with artificial intelligence that roamed through Moscow.
Many Latin Americans embraced their roots: the Colombian Nidia Góngora dedicated a song to the mango tree.
The lineup included countries such as Belarus, Serbia, Egypt, the UAE, India, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, and South Africa, among others.
The Cuban proposal of Zulema was produced by the Argentine Rodrigo Sosa —winner of the Gran Premio Cubadisco 2025—, with arrangements by Sosa himself and the Cuban Ángel Toirac.
Despite starting in first position of the night and the focus on guaguancó, the performer was unable to get closer to the podium.
Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Iglesias is listed in the catalogs of the Commercial Music and Entertainment Company "Miguel Matamoros" and Musicuba, part of EGREM.
With a career spanning over three decades, she has recorded six albums, including Solo tú, nominated for Cubadisco 2024, and has shared the stage with figures such as Frank Fernández, Beatriz Márquez, and Pancho Amat.
Her international career has taken her to Spain, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Mexico, where she participated in the Maya Culture Festival and the reopening of the Benny Moré Cultural Center in Mexico City.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Intervision Festival 2025 and Zulema Iglesias's Participation
Who is Zulema Iglesias and what role did she play in the Intervision Festival 2025?
Zulema Iglesias is a Cuban singer hailing from Santiago de Cuba, renowned for her powerful voice and her ability to blend traditional Cuban music with contemporary elements. At the Intervision Festival 2025, she represented Cuba with her song "Guaguancó," although she ultimately finished in 11th place. Her participation was notable as it marked the first time the artist traveled to Russia and her commitment to showcasing Cuban cultural roots in an international competition.
What is the Intervision Festival and why was it created?
The Intervision Festival is an international music competition that Russia relaunched in 2025 as an alternative to Eurovision, from which it was banned following the invasion of Ukraine. It was created to promote "traditional values" and authentic music, and is presented as a tool of soft power to counter perceived Western values deemed degenerate by the Kremlin. This 2025 edition brought together artists from over 20 countries, including several members of BRICS and countries from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Why did the United States not participate in the Intervision Festival 2025?
The representation from the United States was canceled at the last minute, as announced during the festival broadcast. No specific reasons were given for this cancellation, although it is speculated that it may be related to diplomatic tensions or disagreements about the nature of the event.
What impact does Cuba's participation in Intervision have on its relationship with Russia?
Cuba's participation in Intervision reflects the close relationship it maintains with Russia, in a context where both countries seek to strengthen their ties in the face of international isolation. The event is a demonstration of mutual support in the cultural sphere, and is part of a series of recent collaborations that range from cybersecurity agreements to joint technological projects. However, these alliances also generate criticism due to Cuba's support for a regime noted for its international bellicosity and human rights violations.
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