According to the statement by Regional Tourism Organisation of Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship, Conchita Wurst will most likely perform during the music festival “Coven – Sabat Czarownic” in the city of Kielce. It will be the very first apperance of Conchita in Poland, and many fans hope the singer and winner of Eurovision 2014 will confirm it very soon. Even if her participation is not confirmed yet, the topic caused the debate and some local politicans decided to comment it in mass-media. Councilman of Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship from conservative political party “Law and Justice”, Bogdan Latosinski said: “When I first heard this news on the radio, I’ve started swearing. If this person will perform on the concert I’m gonna personally protest during the session of voivodeship sejmik (provincial-level elected assembly)“. He reminded that he is representing almost 5,3 tousands of people who voted for him and, as catholic and conservative he considered man as a man, and woman as a woman.
Zenon Janus from Regional Tourism Organisation of Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship which organizes the “Coven” festival does not understand Latosinski’s furious reaction. “Eurovision is watched by almost 200 million people worldwide. This year the contest will be held in Vienna and Conchita will host it as she won last year. Kielce should be the open-minded city so why such a big artist couldn’t perform here?” – he asked. Local sociologist Zdzislaw Skuza said the whole concert will finish with the scandal. He admit Swietokrzyskie Region is more conservative than other parts of Poland and this kind of performance will not be easily accepted there.
Conchita will be the biggest star of the concert which will be held on 27th June in Kielce. Ewelina Lisowska, Bajm, Afromental (Polish National Final 2008), Sound’n’Grace and Kombi will perform on stage of “Coven” as well and the whole show will be broadcasted by national broadcaster TVP on the second channel. “I keep my fingers crossed for this idea and hope Conchita will perform in Kielce. I think it’s great to promote this city by inviting big artist from abroad, and I wish to see many Eurovision and Conchita’s fans during the festival!” – Mariusz, OGAE Poland member from Kielce, said to ESCbubble.com. He admit that media tries to feed public debate regarding Conchita’s participation and so far comments of local inhabitants are mostly negative.
Eurovision victory of Austrian singer was highly discussed in Poland, especially by politicians. Poland was one of the four countries which didn’t gave Conchita any point in the final but it is worth to mention “Rise Like a Phoenix” reached 4th place in the televoting during the final of Eurovision 2014, but received only 19th place in jury voting. Austrian entry won the Polish televoting in the second semifinal but “thanks to” jury which gave Conchita only 8th place, “Rise Like a Phoenix” received only 2 points from Warsaw in the semifinal.
