Next year, the Eurovision Song Contest will probably not take place in Kyiv. But it was the group Kalush Orchestra who won the 66th edition of the competition, Sunday May 15 in Turin, Italy, thanks to their song Stefaniawhich was acclaimed by the public, who gave it a whopping 439 points, a Eurovision record, to reach a total of 631 points.
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Kalush Orchestra, its folk rhythms and its rap part, succeeds the Italian group Maneskin. The United Kingdom and Spain complete the podium of a competition marked by the support of the artistic community for Ukraine. The singer of the Kalush Orchestra group even launched a word of support for the besieged fighters of the Azovstal factory in Mariupol at the end of his title.
Your winners of the #Eurovision Song Contest 2022 – Kalush Orchestra! pic.twitter.com/qZpljY19SX
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 14, 2022
The Ukrainian commentator, who officiated from a bunker, could not contain his joy when announcing the victory of his country.
#Ukrainian commentator of #Eurovision Timur Miroshnychenko during the announcement of points from the audience #Ukraine #Eurovision2022 pic.twitter.com/H72MTjki9E
— SUSPILNE NEWS (@suspilne_news) May 14, 2022
France, which had come close to victory last year thanks to Barbara Pravi and her song There, ranks this time in 24th place and penultimate, with an unfortunate 17 points. Only Germany, subscribed to the bottom of the table, does worse, with 6 points.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted late at night on the social network Telegram. “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision. It will be the third time in history, and I hope not the last. We will do our best to host the competition one day in Mariupol, in a free, peaceful and liberated city!”