Direct speech

Victor Baturin, General Director of INTECO-Agro:

“I’m proud of Russia, which was able to win, despite the fact that it was represented by such a mediocre artist.” Russia has again become a respected country, and one can parasitize on its authority. This is what Bilan does with success. If Panayotov, Lazarev or Topalov had gone, they would still have brought victory.

Joseph Kobzon, State Duma deputy, People's Artist of the USSR, People's Artist of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic:

- Of course, everyone should be proud of Bilan. After all, this is a natural continuation of our victories - in football, hockey and tennis. Hosting Eurovision 2009 in Russia will restore prestige to our country. And I would not underestimate Bilan’s merit in this. Of course, there is more politics at the Eurovision Song Contest, but nevertheless, mediocrity, no matter how much money you invest in it, remains mediocrity. Bilan never belonged to this category of artists.

Nikolai Petrov, People's Artist of the USSR, President of the Academy of Russian Art:

“I don’t and can’t feel any pride about this.” And in general, there are no feelings either for this competition or for Bilan. I don’t perceive pop music as a genre - it’s all corrupt, worthless pseudo-art. There are only prostitutes, bandits and cheaters there. What is there to be proud of?

Alexander Rappoport, managing partner of the law firm "Rappoport and Partners":

- Yes, I’m proud. Although Bilan’s work is not to my taste, it’s always nice when Russia wins, be it football, hockey or a music competition. This victory is a small coin in the treasury of our authority. The more coins of any denomination there are in this piggy bank, the better.

Andrey Kozyrev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Investtorgbank:

— I’m proud, however, like any other good news regarding Russia. Lately, no matter what competitions or competitions Russia participates in, I have always rooted for our people. Before this competition, I generally had a “nothing” attitude towards the singer Bilan; I was not familiar with his work. But my 11-year-old son is a big fan of this singer, so yesterday the whole day in our house they talked about Bilan and the victory at Eurovision, and, of course, I succumbed to the general euphoria.

Maria Gaidar, leader of the youth movement "YES!":

- No, I’m not proud. I don’t feel the feeling of a national victory, like at some sporting competition, for example, at the World Hockey Championship. This is a personal victory for Bilan, and I don’t like his work. Moreover, with his victory it will only get worse, because such a “sweet-voiced woman” will now become even more popular. Now, if DDT, “Spleen” or “Leningrad” had won, it would have been a different matter.

Alexander Vasiliev, leader of the group "Splin":

— “Eurovision”? Is it something about horses, or what? If so, then I think you can be proud.

Are you proud of this victory?