It's supposed to be a festival of peace and unity that celebrates diversity. But this year's Eurovision song contest has hit the wrong note and for the first time in the competition's history, a country has been banned from taking part.

Finalists react onstage after competing in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 at the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev on May 9, 2017.
Finalists react onstage after competing in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 at the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev on May 9, 2017. (TRT World and Agencies)

Eurovision pits some of the world's best musical talent against one another. But, this year it's taken on a particularly political edge.

For the first time in the competition's history, a country has been banned from taking part.

TRT World's Sara Firth reports.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies