Huge public support sweeps Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra to Eurovision win

TURIN, Italy, Might 14 (Reuters) – Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra gained the Eurovision Tune Contest in Italy on Saturday with their entry “Stefania”, using a wave of public assist to say an emotional victory that was welcomed by the nation’s president.

Sung in Ukrainian, the successful tune fused rap with conventional people music and was a tribute to band frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mom.

The bookmakers had made Kalush Orchestra the clear favorite for the annual contest, which usually attracts a tv viewers of near 200 million, based mostly partially on in style sympathy for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in February.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was fast to supply his congratulations.

“Our braveness impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Subsequent yr Ukraine will host the Eurovision tune contest,” he stated in a web based message.

The winners historically get to host the occasion the next yr and Ukraine is hoping that it will likely be able to take action in 2023.

“I thank the Kalush Orchestra for this victory and everybody who gave us your votes! I’m certain that the sound of victory within the battle with the enemy shouldn’t be far off,” he added.

Ukraine was in fourth place based mostly on jury voting however claimed victory with a document tally in viewer voting in an occasion that options 40 nations. Britain’s Sam Ryder completed second, whereas Chanel of Spain got here third.

“The victory is essential for Ukraine, particularly this yr, so thanks from the underside of our hearts. Glory to Ukraine!,” Psiuk from the band advised a information convention, talking by way of an interpreter.

It’s the third time that Ukraine has gained the annual competitors and he stated the tune, that includes conventional flutes and breakdancing in a traditional Eurovision combination of kinds, was a contender even earlier than the battle started.

CRY FOR HELP

The band’s frontman made a plea for the town of Mariupol and its Azovstal plant on the finish of their stay efficiency.

“Please assist Ukraine, Mariupol. Assist Azovstal proper now,” Psiuk shouted in English from the entrance of the stage.

Talking after the occasion, Psiuk stated he and the band would head again to Ukraine in two days and weren’t certain what the longer term held.

“It is onerous to say what precisely I’m going to do as a result of that is the primary time I win the Eurovision Tune Contest however anyway like each Ukrainian we’re able to battle as a lot as we will and go till the top,” he stated.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the competition, stated no motion could be taken towards the band for utilizing the stage to make a press release.

“We perceive the deep emotions round Ukraine at this second and consider the feedback of the Kalush Orchestra and different artists expressing assist for the Ukrainian individuals to be humanitarian reasonably than political in nature,” the EBU stated.

Reporting by Tara Oakes in Turin and David Ljunggren in Ottawa
Writing by Keith Weir; Modifying by Cynthia Osterman & Simon Cameron-Moore

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