TURIN, ITALY (AP) – Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday morning with a clear demonstration of support for the people of a war -torn country beyond music.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the success after Ukraine’s third Eurovision debut in 2003 and said “we will do our best” to host next year’s competition in the port city of Mariupol. He stressed the “Ukrainian Mariupol” and added: “Free, peaceful, restored!”
“Thanks for the win, Kalush Orchestra and everyone who voted for us!” Zelensky said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. “I’m sure our winning rope is not far off in the battle against the opponent”.
ელ Zelensky: “We will do our best to host Eurovision one day in Mariupol, Ukraine”.
The President thanked the Kalush Orchestra for going to Eurovision 2022 and everyone who voted for Ukraine.
I’m sure our winning deal in fighting the opponent isn’t far off.
– Independent of Kiev (@Independent of Kiev) May 15, 2022
Kalush Orchestra frontman Oleg Psiuk took advantage of the large global audience of over 180 million last year to enthusiastically address the free fighters who still remain under the Mariupol steel mill after their performance.
The Kalush Orchestra’s song “Stefania” was a favorite of sentimentalists and bookmakers among the 25 participants who performed in the grand finale. Public voting from home, via text messaging or the Eurovision Song Contest, proved decisive, placing them above British Tik Tok star Sam Ryder, who was voted on by a national jury in 40 countries.
“Stefania” was written by Psyuk as a sign of respect for his mother, but after the invasion of Russia on February 24, it became the national anthem, with lines promising: “I will always find my way home , even if it’s all. Destroyed. “
The Kalush Orchestra itself is a cultural project involving folklore experts and combines traditional folk melodies and modern hip hop for the targeted preservation of Ukrainian culture. This became even more apparent when Russia, through its aggression, tried to lie that Ukraine did not have its own unique culture.
The Russians ’call for the release of Ukrainian fighters left behind in the Azovstal factory is a shameful reminder that the very popular and sometimes fun Eurovision singing contest is taking place against the backdrop of war in the eastern part of Europe.
“Help Azovstal right now too,” Psyuk pleaded from under the dazzling bouquet hat that became the band’s trademark to fans.
The Azov Battalion, one of the last 1,000 defenders of the factory, thanked the tunnels under the factory and posted on the Telegram: “Thanks to the Kalush Orchestra for the support! Glory to Ukraine! “
The city itself was the site of the most horrific devastation of the 2.5-month war as Russia sought to gain a bridge between the separatist-controlled Donbas and Crimea, which it merged in 2014.
The six -member group received special permission to leave the country to represent Ukraine and Ukrainian culture in a music competition. One of the original members is left to fight, while the other intends to return once the competition is over.
Psick told the Associated Press before the competition that he would return to the volunteer organization he founded at the start of the war, which uses social media to find transportation and shelter for people in need.
Although Ukraine’s support for the singing contest was ultimately overwhelming, the contest remained open until the final popular votes were counted. And in the war or not, the Spaniards, British and other fans who entered the PalaOlimpico from different parts of Europe were fighting for their country’s victory.
However, Irina Lassi, a fan of Ukrainian music, said she feels global support for her country at war and “not just for music”.
Russia was not included after invading Ukraine on February 24 this year. Organizers said the move was aimed at barring politics into a competition that promotes diversity and friendship between countries.
Back in Ukraine, in the ruined city of Kharkov in the northeast, the Kalush Orchestra’s participation in the competition is seen as an additional platform for the country to gain international support.
“The whole country is recovering, everyone in the world is supporting us. Very good, ”said Julia Vashenko, a 29 -year -old teacher.
“I believe that wherever Ukraine is today and there is an opportunity to talk about the war, we need to talk,” said Alexandra Konovalova, a 23-year-old makeup artist in Kharkov. “Any competition is important now because more people are winning than what’s happening now.”
Ukrainians living in Italy also used the Eurovision Song Contest as a backdrop for this week’s flashmob to ask for help for Mariupol. About 30 Ukrainians gathered at a Milan bar to watch the show, many of them wearing a dazzling bouquet of hats, such as Psiuk Sports, in support of the band.
“We are very happy that he asked for help to rescue the people in Mariupol,” lawyer Zoya Stankowska said on the show. “And we’re confident they’ll win.”
The winner will take home a glass microphone cup and a potential career, though the Kalush Orchestra’s main concern is peace.
The event has been led by Italy since local rock band Maneskin won in Rotterdam last year. The success brought the internationally renowned Roman group, opened for the Rolling Stones and released on Saturday Night Live and on the covers of many magazines in their typical costume genre.
Twenty groups were selected in this week’s two semi-finals and competed in the Big Five of Italy, Great Britain, France, Germany and Spain, with permanent seats thanks to the competition’s financial support.
Ukrainian commentator Timur Miroshnichenko, who broadcast live Ukrainian Eurovision, took part in an unknown location from the basement and not from his usual TV studio.
“On the fifth or fourth day of the war, they shot down our TV tower in Kiev,” he said. To continue broadcasting, “we have to go underground somewhere in Ukraine”.
Eurovision screenings in Ukraine are important online and on television, he said.
“I think this person is more symbolic than ever,” Miroshnichenko said.
“Ukraine participated in the music competition“ thanks to the resistance of the Ukrainian armed forces and our people, ”he said.
Barry’s report from Milan. Vasily Stepanenko from Kharkov, Ukraine contributed.
Source: Huffpost
