Ukraine therefore won the 66th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night in Turin, Italy. France, represented by the Breton group Alvan & Ahez finished 24th and penultimate. The worst place for France since 2015.
The Ukrainians started out as big favourites. The Kalush Orchestra, whose song “Stefania” mixes hip-hop and traditional music, collected 631 points, ahead of the United Kingdom and Spain, thanks to the vote of the television viewers. This is Ukraine’s third victory in this competition after that of 2004 and especially the 2016 edition – two years after the annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea by Russia – with Jamala and the title “1944”, a song recounting the deportation of the Tatars by Stalin.
A call to save Ukraine
The singer launched at the end of his performance an appeal, in English, to help his country : “please help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azovstal“Political messages are generally banned at Eurovision, but the organizers said Ukraine would not be disqualified for such comments. In a message posted on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent his congratulations to the winners: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe!“
According to Eurovision rules, the next edition of the competition should be held in Ukraine. For Volodymyr Zelensky, Eurovision 2023 should be held in the “free, peaceful and rebuilt” city of Mariupol. This strategic port is still intensely bombarded by the Russians according to kyiv.
Big disappointment for France
Admittedly, the Bretons were not favorites. But the bookies had them ranked 15th on average with less than 1% chance of winning the contest, at the same level as Finland or Portugal. Alvan and Ahez therefore finished in a disappointing 24th and penultimate place, with 17 points, ahead of Germany. Last year, France came second in the competition thanks to the performance of Barbara Pravi and her song There.