Emotional win for Ukraine at Eurovision

TURIN • Ukrainian rap and folk band Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest last Saturday, as European viewers and juries delivered a symbolic, pop culture endorsement of solidarity behind Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion.

After 80 days of fighting that has forced millions from their homes, brought ruin to cities and towns across Ukraine's east and killed tens of thousands, the band won an emotional victory for Ukraine with a performance of Stefania, a rousing, anthemic song.

Written to honour the mother of the group's frontman, Oleh Psiuk, the song has been reinterpreted during the war as a tribute to Ukraine as a motherland. It includes lyrics that roughly translate to, "You can't take my willpower from me, as I got it from her" and "I'll always find my way home, even if the roads are destroyed".

After Psiuk performed the song last Saturday night, he put his hand to his heart and shouted: "I ask for all of you, please help Ukraine."

Europe's voters listened, giving the band 631 votes to win, far ahead of Sam Ryder of Britain, who took second place with 466 votes.

Winners are determined based on votes from national juries and viewers at home.

Psiuk's mother had texted him after the win to say she loved him "and she was proud", he said at a media conference after the contest at which he thanked everyone who had voted for the group.

"The victory is very important for Ukraine, especially this year," he said, speaking via an interpreter.

Kalush Orchestra had been considered a favourite, travelling with special permission to bypass a martial law preventing most Ukrainian men from leaving the country.

The band's victory over 39 other national acts illustrated how Russia's invasion of Ukraine has unified Europe, inspiring a wave of weapons and aid deliveries for Ukraine, and bringing the European Union to the verge of cutting itself off from Russian energy.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February, organisers barred Russian performers from the event, citing fears that Russia's inclusion would damage the contest's reputation.

Eurovision, the world's largest and possibly most eccentric live music competition, is best known for its over-the-top performances and star-making potential - it helped launch acts like Swedish pop group Abba and Canadian singer Celine Dion to international fame.

But as a showcase meant to promote European unity and cultural exchange, it has never truly been separate from politics, though the contest rules forbid contestants from making political statements at the event.

In 2005, Ukraine's entry song was rewritten after being deemed too political, because it celebrated the Orange Revolution.

The country also won the contest in 2016 with 1944, a song by Jamala about Crimean Tatars during World War II and was also interpreted as a comment on the Russian invasion of Crimea, which had taken place two years earlier.

And in 2008, when Russian pop star Dima Bilan won Eurovision with the song Believe, President Vladimir Putin weighed in promptly with congratulations, thanking him for further burnishing Russia's image.

Russia began competing in the song contest in 1994 and has competed more than 20 times.

Its participation had been a cultural touchstone of sorts for Russia's engagement with the world, persisting even as relations worsened between Mr Putin's government and much of Europe.

Mr Carlo Fuortes, chief executive of Italian national broadcaster RAI, which hosted the events, said he had sensed that Ukraine would be a favourite. "It could be that all European citizens might think of giving a political signal through a vote to Ukraine," he said in an interview earlier this month. "And I think that it could be a right signal."

The question of where next year's competition would be held loomed large. It is tradition that the winner is host of the following year's events.

Mr Martin Osterdahl, executive producer for the Eurovision Song Contest, handed Ms Oksana Skybinska, leader of the Ukrainian delegation, a black binder with contact details. "Please know that you know where to find us," he said. "We are with you all the way."

"We will do everything possible to make the Eurovision contest possible in the new peaceful Ukraine," Ms Skybinska said.

NYTIMES