Belgium's Flemish public broadcaster, VRT, will be replying to the Serbian embassy with a written letter of apology. Serbia's embassy in Belgium complained following protest from many Serbian people in Belgium who felt offended by the way VRT has been stereotyping the Serbian people in a negative way during the weekly live shows of Eurosong 2008, Belgium's Eurovision Song Contest selection show.
esctoday.com and partner website belgovision reported that an official complaint by the Serbian government through their Belgian embassy had been delivered to VRT.
"We will explain the Serbian embassy that we didn't intend to harm the Serbian people," VRT spokeswoman Diane Waumansfrom VRT stated regarding the show with 'Serbian' Eurosong 2008 assistents Mirjana and Milena caused a storm of negative reactions. "These simply are clichés and caricatures which – like all caricatures – don't represent reality, but are funny."
Partner website, Belgovision however is concerned that the negative publicity from what has become a diplomatic incident between Belgium and Serbia may have an influence on the Belgian participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in May.
