Strass and sequins on one side, on the other the tragic news of the war. HASAt the end of the suspense, as the bettors had predicted, victory is for the song “Stefania“, which mixes hip-hop and more traditional music.is Ukrainian. With her eternal pink bob on her head, Oleg Psyukthe leader of Kalush Orkestra, thanks the audience.
Ranked fourth after the vote of the professional jury, Ukraine obtains 439 points from viewers. Enough to rock the competition to the delight of Vitali, one of the few Ukrainian fans present in Turin: “We are really grateful to the public and all European Eurovision fans. It is amazing for all Ukrainians. This support means that Europe is united around Ukraine. This will bring some joy to all Ukrainians.”
>> War in Ukraine: follow the evolution of the situation live
Irina’s tears erased the Ukrainian yellow and blue flags that the young woman from kyiv had drawn on her cheeks: “Eurovision shows that human rights are important and you can do this by voting for a song or for a country. It’s something we needed. Knowing that we are not alone in this fight.”
Thousands of kilometers away, it is impossible for the Ukrainians to celebrate the victory, in particular because of a strict curfew in all the major cities of the country. But this Sunday morning, May 15, in Odessa, Katerina, 25, had a big smile: “I’m very happy that Ukraine won this year, it’s an important symbol! I would have liked to celebrate the victory. But it will only be possible when peace returns, when all my friends who are in the villages or abroad return to Odessa! Can we organize the next edition here? Well, I really hope the war is over next year. But even if it continues, I think it will be possible for Eurovision to be held in Ukraine, in a city like kyiv, well protected. And I think that then, many people would come to support us!” she hopes.
The victory of Ukraine is also a way of paying homage to its culture, to its identity, pleads Anna, 33, in the streets of kyiv, precisely.
“It’s a song that represents the country, with these traditional instruments. And if the world liked it, I’m super happy, super proud!”
At a press conference, Oleg Psyukthe singer – whose name of the group takes its name from the Western Ukrainian city of Kalush –makes the same appeal as on stage a few moments earlier to help Mariupol and the fighters of the Azovstal factory: “It’s very complicated because our compatriots are blocked by a thousand soldiers. They can’t get out of Azovstal. We really need to help free these people. And what to do for that? And talk about it, communicate, ask your governments to act. If you talk about it, it will help us.“
In two days, the group will return to Ukraine: the derogation obtained for Eurovision expires. Oleg and the five members of the group will then probably join the ranks of the fighters. “Like all Ukrainians, we are ready to fight as hard as we can and we will go all the way.“
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In a message posted on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky sent his congratulations to the winners: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe!“. Before promising that the country will welcome Eurovision next year.