Eurovision 2022: Sydney’s Ukrainian community celebrate song contest win

Sydney’s Ukrainian community celebrated the country’s emphatic song contest victory as they urge for continued awareness for their war-torn homeland.

A pocket of Sydney’s CBD erupted into a sea of yellow and blue as Ukrainian-Australians celebrated a stirring and emotional Eurovision Song Contest win.

As celebrations died down at the contest in Turin, Italy, Sydney’s Ukrainian community – who meet in the city to drum up support for their war-torn homeland – embellished their latest rally outside Customs House in Circular Quay with the winning entry Stefania's folk-rap and flute tones.

The community said the win meant more than just first place on the scoreboard.

A Save Mariupol and Azovstal sign at a Ukraine rally on May 15. Picture: Michelle Haywood

“It’s very important for all Ukrainians to see the support from the entire world,” Mariya Popovchenko, whose family is from Donetsk, said.

“It’s a way for people to show their support for our country, and it’s not just because of the music, but because Ukraine won everyone’s hearts.”

The song is about and dedicated to Ukrainian mothers and the band members had been part of the war effort in the country but received exemptions to leave Ukraine to perform at Eurovision and returned home the day after to help fight.

Sisters Sophia and – coincidentally – Stephania Mandziy were decked out in Ukrainian football shirts, they were born in Australia but their family is from Ukraine.

“I think it helps with everything,” Stephania said. “People can again hear about what’s happening in Ukraine and research the song and what’s going on and how to help.”

Her sister cited the call at the end of the performance by lead singer Oleh Psiuk to help besieged soldiers as a way Eurovision can amplify messaging.

“When Kalush Orchestra (who performed Stefania) said save Mariupol and Azovstal (a bombarded steel factory), more people will now know about what’s happening and Google exactly what’s going on there,” Sophia said.

Kalush Orchestra on stage in Turin after winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Picture: AFP

Russian forces have been bombarding the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, which is now almost completely controlled by Russia after more than two months of a siege. Many of the civilians holed up at the plant have been evacuated but no deal has been reached on allowing over 1000 Ukrainian fighters to leave, many of whom are wounded.

“Kalush sent the message about Mariupol and Azovstal notwithstanding the risk of being disqualified, but they put the soldiers’ lives above their victory in the contest,” Ms Popovchenko said.

Anton Bogdanovych organises the Sydney rallies in support for Ukraine and said continued awareness about the war is crucial and the Eurovision vote for Stefania was one of freedom.

“It is extremely important, it feels to us that Ukrainians have grown in the hearts of Europe and Australia,” he said. “In the beginning, there was little support because people didn’t think that we would be able to hold out.

Anton Bogdanovych speaks at a Ukraine rally on May 15. Picture: Michelle Haywood

“But now there is belief, and seeing our country not only win in Eurovision but in many other places, it makes us grateful that the world is helping us win those battles.”

While being inherently political – all art and music is – the Eurovision song contest’s organisers prohibit anything of that nature being projected. They had, however, banned both Russia and Belarus from participating.

“This is a massive moral win for us, the win shows how much support there is for our country,” Mr Bogdanovych said.