They did not even have to place bets. No one had the slightest doubt that the song that Ukraine is sending this year to Eurovision would pass to the final round. This happened last night at the PalaOlympico in Turin, where it is also organized the final on Saturday, May 14th.
Ukrainian rapper Olech Psyuk with the Kalush orchestra performed in English the song Stefania, dedicated to his mother, written for her as well. According to him, it was written long before the war broke out, but after the Russian invasion it took on other dimensions. Mother Stefania became a mother-Ukraine, mother country.
Is Eurovision far from politics?
In the ears and hearts of Ukrainians has taken on another symbolism, another significance. And this is exactly what gives Ukraine’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest a strong symbolism against war and for peace. Of course, according to the rules, Eurovision is a song contest and must be strictly kept out of politics. But it would be a lie not to admit that what is happening in Ukraine could not but affect in one way or another the organization.
First, immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 25, Russia was excluded from the competition, as was Belarus. However, in the press conference that followed last night after his success, Olech Psyuk, after expressing his joy that he passed to the final, tried to stay in a strict musical context. “We understand that we need to be focused, we are here to show that there is Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian music. They are alive and have a very beautiful and special character. Therefore, we are fully focused on this goal. “
“Let us not forget that there is a war in Ukraine”
However, he did not fail to thank the English for their support to Ukraine. But the other singers who took part in last night’s semifinal also brought some symbols related to the war in Ukraine during their performance. For example, a guitarist from the Icelandic band Systur had the Ukrainian flag on her back. Monica Liu from Lithuania in the press conference was more expressive and openly supported Ukraine. “I just want all of us not to forget that there is a war going on in Ukraine. And support it. Make sponsorships. Money is important and attention is important. Do it, please, we need it, Sláva Ukrayini “.
But also from the side of the public that will watch the final, great solidarity is expected towards Ukraine. In fact, some claim that the victory in the semifinal is a prelude to which song will win, and in fact by a large margin, in this year’s Eurovision.
Irini Anastassopoulou / Reuters / dpa
DW
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