Eurovision: Kalush Orchestra offers victory to Ukraine

The folk-rap collective Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision with their song ” Stefania “.

Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, was designated the winner of Eurovision 2022 on Saturday thanks to its song “ Stefania “.

Ahead of Saturday’s Eurovision final in Turin, Italy, the Ukrainian folk-rap group was heavily favored to claim victory among the 25 countries still in competition. Ukraine has already won the annual song contest in 2004 and 2016.

THAT winning moment! 🇺🇦🏆 #Eurovision #ESC2022 pic.twitter.com/s4JsQkFJGy

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 14, 2022

British singer and TikTok sensation Sam Ryder finished second in the competition with his song “ space man “. Ryder was ahead of the competition after the country vote, but the public vote carried the Ukrainian group to victory. For its part, France comes second to last.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra bring a hypnotic mix of rap, folk and a flute loop so funky you’ll remember it for days 🇺🇦 #Eurovision #ESC2022 pic.twitter.com/lgHZhkCkoG

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 14, 2022

In April, Kalush Orchestra frontman Oleh Psiuk spoke with the Times about his participation in the famous competition in the midst of the Russian invasion of his country. ” We had to leave Ukraine to promote our country and I feel like I’m useful, but after that we’ll go back right away he said, noting that the concerts of the Kalush Orchestra, before and after Eurovision, are intended to raise funds for relief in Ukraine.

Before leaving Ukraine, Psiuk started a volunteer organization that helped homeless Ukrainians find shelter, transportation and medicine. Another member of the group, dancer Slavik Hnatenko, missed the Eurovision show after enlisting in Kyiv’s territorial defense force, according to the Times.

The winner of the #Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is Ukraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/vPbOdfzKx9

— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 14, 2022

The band won the Eurovision Song Contest thanks to ” Stefania », inspired by the invasion. “ When the war started, it began to take on new meanings, as many people thought the mother in the song was Ukraine, or were moved thinking of their mother.said Psiuk. That’s why I hope this song will be loved by Europeans too “.

While 25 countries took part in the Eurovision final, Russia was not among them after the nation was left out of this year’s competition due to the invasion. “ I think that the fact that Russia does not participate in Eurovision is a very nice gesture from Europe. Perhaps there are Russians who do not understand what is happening because of the information war. That way they’ll know something’s wrong “says Psiuk.

Daniel Kreps

Translated by the editor