Ukraine wins Eurovision with ’Stefania’ from Kalush Orchestra
Ukraine rode a wave of public support across Europe to win the song contest with Kalush Orchestra’s ode to their besieged country.
Ukraine has won the Eurovision song contest, riding a wave of public support across Europe for the embattled nation and buoyed by a folk hip hop ode to their besieged country.
The winner of the #Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is Ukraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/vPbOdfzKx9
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 14, 2022
Kalush Orchestra’s song “Stefania” beat 24 competitors in the finale of the world’s biggest live music event.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the win, telling his countrymen: “Our music conquers Europe.”
“Please help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azovstal right now,” frontman Oleh Psiuk said in English from the stage after the group’s performance was met by a cheering audience.
Following the win, Psiuk -- whose bubblegum pink bucket hat has made him instantly recognisable -- thanked everyone who voted for his country in the competition.
“The victory is very important for Ukraine, especially this year. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Glory to Ukraine,” Psiuk told journalists.
Coming in second place was Britain with Sam Ryder’s “Space Man” and its stratospheric notes, followed by Spain with the reggaeton “SloMo” from Chanel.
Ukraine beat a host of over-the-top acts at the kitschy, quirky annual musical event, including Norway’s Subwoolfer, which sang about bananas while dressed in yellow wolf masks, and Serbia’s Konstrakta, who questioned national healthcare while meticulously scrubbing her hands onstage.
“Only at Eurovision do people celebrate bananas, heartbreaks and wash their hands in one and the same show,” Swedish fan Martina Fries told AFP Saturday ahead of the finale.
“Eurovision is a way to show that different countries can celebrate peacefully together.”
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