The greatest annual event in Swedish television is Melodifestivalen - the contest to select the national representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The song on Youtube - high definition strongly recommended (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L11kA8rxPe0)
Source video at svt.se - song starts at 04'25'' (http://svtplay.se/v/1481181/melodifestivalen/tingeling_goes_russia)

The half-time show this year was a techno-pop song stuffed with balalaikas, cossacks, matrushka dolls and other Russian stereotypes. A civil servant at the Russian embassy in Stockholm got enraged, and suggesting the performers to be locked up at an asylum.

http://www.thelocal.se/18336/20090319/

What do you think? Is this show a good summary of Russian culture?

Funny, is there a version with English subtitles?

The placement of some of the "Red Stars" was a bit unfortunate, but besides that there was nothing really offensive.

There isn't really much to translate, as the song is in mock-Russian and English. The only Swedish phrase means "I have a wish, a wish I have. I have a question, requesting an answer."

Lets look at the checklist.

Matrushka dolls: Check
A bear: Check
Tetris: Check
Soviet national anthem: Check
Cossack dancing: Check
Obligatory "До Свидания": Check
Vodka: Didnt see any :(

Vodka? Well, the show was intended for a family audience. The intro sketch - where some characters draw guns against others - faced some protests.

However, there was some alcohol involved in the scripting process.

How is this a realistic portrayal of Russia? They haven't invaded Poland or the Baltics yet? Or is there more to the video?

Is this show a good summary of Russian culture?

No. Althrough that civil servant needs to calm himself down.

The song and the swedes incompetence of saying sorry is awesome.

No, the placement of the Red Star was good.

Besides that and the Tetris music, the rest is crap andm akes me glad I'm part Norwegion, not Swedish.

Im an ignorant American. Somebody want to enlighten me as to what the hell is going on?

The half-time show at the Eurovision semifinal looked like a parody of the Swedish performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK3xtOi7WWk

This song is getting popular in Russia.

This is
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AWESOME :lol:

Dancing Bears don't like the competition, I know that well ;)

Ah crap, I acedently hit reply and don't know how to get back without posting.:sad:

Ah crap, I acedently hit reply and don't know how to get back without posting.:sad:
Just press back on your computer. Should be a cancel button as well, somewhere.

Agreed, there should be a cancle button.