Crimean Tatar singer Susana Jamaladinova (2nd L), often known as Jamala, and Ukrainian singer Ruslana Lyzhychko (2nd R) attend the draw for the semi-finals of the 2017 Eurovision Music Contest in Kiev, Ukraine January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Picture
LVIV, Ukraine, March 14 (Reuters) – Topping the Eurovision leaderboard is a dream for a lot of worldwide music acts however for Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, the glitz of the tune contest appears a great distance off.
Working out of western Ukraine, lead singer Oleh Psiuk has traded the stage to run a 20-strong volunteer group, supplying medicines and serving to folks flee the conflict. One in every of his band members is serving within the territorial defence unit.
On Monday, betting mixture web site Oddschecker put the group a agency favorite to win this yr’s Eurovision Music Contest, however Psiuk just isn’t able to rejoice.
“I can’t take pleasure in it whereas I’m nervous for my family members. The conflict separated me and my girlfriend. She is 300kms (186 miles)away from me. We can’t meet as a result of it is rather harmful,” he advised Reuters.
“She sits in a bunker whereas I’m right here and air raid sirens are continuously on.”
He mentioned his girlfriend has been making Molotov cocktails as a part of defence efforts.
The band members are rehearsing individually, however plan to fulfill quickly in Lviv to practise their entry “Stefania”, which Psiuk mentioned had turn into an anthem for Ukrainians throughout the conflict.
“Regardless of beneath what circumstance we are going to go to the Eurovision, I’ll attempt to be helpful for Ukraine. Even when it (conflict) is throughout within the nearest future, it received’t be straightforward anyway as a result of we are going to want a variety of time to rebuild. The nation is in ruins,” he mentioned.
The Eurovision remaining, one of many world’s largest televised occasions, takes place in Turin, Italy on Could 14.
If Kalush Orchestra win, Ukraine will earn the suitable to host the 2023 contest. The nation received Eurovision in 2016, when Crimean Tatar Susana Jamaladinova of Ukraine, often known as Jamala, triumphed with a tune about former Soviet chief Joseph Stalin’s deportation of lots of of hundreds of individuals from her Black Sea homeland, two years after Russia annexed the territory.
The next yr, host Ukraine barred Russia from collaborating. Russia has additionally been banned from the 2022 contest, after Ukraine and European public broadcasters known as for them to be expelled.
Tensions with Russia had forged a shadow over Ukraine’s 2022 entry even earlier than Moscow launched what it describes as a “particular operation” to demilitarise its neighbour. Kalush Orchestra changed Ukraine’s authentic act, Alina Pash, after a row about her 2015 go to to Crimea.
For Psiuk, Kalush Orchestra’s Eurovision fame is a chance to unfold consciousness.
“In case you suppose it is not going to occur to your nation, there aren’t any ensures for that. We additionally thought that it could not occur to us. That’s the reason let’s cease it as quickly as doable,” he mentioned.
“We would like peace to lastly come to Ukraine.”
Reporting by Margaryta Chornokondratenko; Extra reporting by Tara Oakes; Writing by Tara Oakes, enhancing by Ed Osmond
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