UKRAINE: Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, 14 May, making Ukrainians proud and hopeful of another win in their battle against invading Russian forces.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won the contest in Italy on Saturday night with their entry "Stefania," riding a wave of public support to claim an emotional victory that was welcomed by the country's president.
Sung in Ukrainian, the winning song fused rap with traditional folk music and was a tribute to band front man Oleh Psiuk's mother.
Kyiv resident, Liubov Savinkova, said she was overwhelmed watching the show on Saturday, and seeing other countries' contestants' public show of sympathy for Ukraine following Russia's invasion in February.
"Yesterday we watched Eurovision, emotions were very cool. We were very happy with Ukraine's victory, and we hope that we will win not only at Eurovision," said Savinkova. "I was overwhelmed with emotions when Iceland (participants) came out with Ukrainian flags, and also when Kalush spoke for Azovstal. I am now also recording Instagram stories here, where there is a banner 'For Mariupol' because we are also very worried about them and happy for our victory."
Housewife, Nataliia Suvorova, said it was key that Ukraine host next year's song contest despite ongoing fighting.
"I think we should host Eurovision because we can. Maybe we may not be on the same scale as in previous times or in other countries, but it can be done differently. But it is necessary to host Eurovision," she said.
Residents in the Ukrainian town of Kalush, hometown to the winners of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, were in “seventh heaven” on Sunday, 15 May.
Proud residents strolled in the sunshine in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region the day after Kalush Orchestra triumphed with their entry "Stefania".
“I was jumping. I was in seventh heaven, you understand, how I worried about my guys. But I also want us to end the war as fast as possible, and it would be an even bigger victory," said 74-year-old Kalush resident, Petro Yugan.
“I had no doubt that they would win,” said 28-year-old Andriy Pashyn.
“We love them here,” said 31-year-old Marian Bunga, adding: “I think we are ready to host the Eurovision.”
The winners traditionally get to host the event the following year and Ukraine is hoping that it will be in a position to do so in 2023.
This is the third time that Ukraine has won Eurovision. Ukraine was in fourth place based on jury voting but claimed victory with a record tally in viewer voting in an event that features 40 nations.
