Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed his country’s victory in Eurovision on Saturday May 14, making the link with the Russian invasion and promising to organize the next edition of the European competition in Mariupol.
With 631, the Ukrainians offered themselves a record in the Eurovision Song Contest. A performance hailed by the Ukrainian head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky on social networks. “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe,” he wrote.
“For the third time in its history. And, I believe, not the last. We will do our best to welcome Eurovision participants and guests to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol one day. Free, peaceful, rebuilt!”, he added about this port city in the south of the country occupied by Russian troops and almost completely destroyed.
“I thank Kalush Orchestra for its victory, and all those who voted for us! I am sure that our victorious choir in the battle against the enemy is not far off. Glory to Ukraine!”, wrote the head of state again.
After their victory, Kalush Orchestra called on Europeans to help Ukraine. “Please help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azоvstal”, called on stage the singer of the Kalush Orchestra, Oleh Psiuk, whose performance was applauded.
According to the rules of Eurovision, the next edition of the contest should be held in Ukraine, which would be in the words of Oleh Psiuk “a new, integrated, developed and flourishing Ukraine”.
Charles Michel wishes a Eurovision in kyiv, Great Britain and Spain complete the podium
Political messages are generally banned at Eurovision, but the organizers have made it known that Ukraine will not be disqualified for these remarks.
“We understand the deep feelings around Ukraine in this context and consider that the comments of the Kalush Orchestra and other artists expressing their support for the Ukrainian people are of a humanitarian nature more than a political one”, informed the European Union of Radio-Television (EBU), organizer of the event.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said he wanted the 2023 edition of Eurovision to be held “in kyiv in a free and united Ukraine”, while the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen recalled: “The ‘EU is with you’.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a victory that reflected Europe’s “unwavering support” alongside Ukraine.
For its part, NATO considered that the victory of the Ukrainians at Euovision 2022 shows “the immense public support” enjoyed by the country attacked by Russia, judged on Sunday its deputy secretary general, Mircea Geoana.
“We saw yesterday the huge support from the public all over Europe (…) Of course the song was magnificent, it is magnificent”, he underlined before the meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU. Atlantic Alliance in Berlin, adding that the Russians had “launched the most brutal and cynical war since World War II”.
To complete the podium, the Briton with the stratospheric voice Sam Ryder, who sings “SpaceMan” in solo and in combination, and the torrid Spanish singer of Cuban origin Chanel, in outfit – very light – as a bullfighter with the rhythmic Latin title ” SloMo”.
