Ukraine continues to fight for its freedom in the face of Russian aggression. And as part of that the Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC is doing all it can to promote and encourage its Eurovision 2022 act Kalush Orchestra.
On Thursday the broadcaster sent out the following press statement, which we’re re-printing in full below.
Ukraine’s plans for Eurovision 2022: Statement on today’s press conference
Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is an important step for Ukraine during the war.
This was stated by the Head of the Managing Board of UA: PBC Mykola Chernotytskyi on 28 April during a press conference of representatives of the Public Broadcaster, Friends Production and Kalush Orchestra at the Ukraine Media Center in Lviv.
“We believe that Ukraine’s representation at Eurovision is an important part of the country’s participation in European life. It is also our representation. The band representing the country also has an important mission to promote Ukraine. That’s why I hope that they will win,” the Head of the Managing Board of UA: PBC said.
Separately, Mykola Chernotytskyi noted that in response to the initiative of the Public Broadcaster, Russia was banned from the Eurovision Song Contest.
Mykola Chernotytskyi also said that the contest will be broadcast online on the UA: KULTURA TV channel and on the digital platforms of the Public Broadcaster.
“This year, the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will be broadcast on UA:KULTURA TV channel and on digital platforms. Semifinals and finals will be definitely broadcast on UA: KULTURA. Regarding the final, we have a discussion with other media groups, perhaps part of the marathon will be dedicated to it. The decision has not been made yet,” he said.
The leader of Kalush Orchestra Oleh Psiuk revealed the details of the stage costumes of the band members at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
“The panama hat will be there for sure. Blue and yellow symbols will be there too. The costumes will differ by 50%,” Oleh Psiuk shared.
The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Oksana Skybinska, also spoke about the preparations for the song contest and the events that will take place during the two weeks before Eurovision.
“There will be two press conferences in Turin, on 30 April and 4 May, before the first semifinal. There are also press conferences after the first semifinal and after the grand final on 14 May,” Oksana Skybinska said.
Ukraine: Eurovision 2022 staging will have “non-political character”
Oleksii Zhembrovskyi, director of Ukraine’s performance at Eurovision 2022 (Friends Production company), explained how the non-political character was ensured.
“In the dialogue with the EBU, we encountered this issue several times during the development phase of the performance, and have already reworked it several times, following all the requirements. Therefore, this issue has already been resolved and will visually look decent. For the director, first of all, it is important not only to visualize the song, but also to convey its energy. The best thing for us is the strength of our guys’ spirit and the power of our native land’s energy. Therefore, all the visual effects we use will be focused on this. The spotlight will, of course, be on the artist who transmits this energy, and the visual effects will paint the ornament of the Ukrainian soul,” Zhembrovskyi shared.
Immediately after the press conference, the Ukrainian delegation left for Turin. For this trip, the Public Broadcaster received a special permit from the state authorities to travel abroad.
Kalush Orchestra will perform the song Stefania under number 6 in the first semifinal on 10 May.
It should be noted that Kalush Orchestra recently returned from a promotional tour before Eurovision Song Contest 2022. They visited Israel, the Netherlands, Spain and Poland where they raised funds to help Ukraine. Immediately after returning to Ukraine, the musicians went to Irpin, where they gave an open-air concert.
As a reminder, UA: PBC, being a member of the European Broadcasting Union, organizes and conducts selection of a song and a representative from Ukraine, as well as ensures the participation of a representative of Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy. This year 40 countries will take part in the song contest.
Photos: Olha Movchan
Yes, and my opinion is that you are wrong. The war is bigger than this contest. And if people want to vote for Ukraine, they can do so for whatever reason. It won’t hurt the contest.
Stefania will have all my votes this year. Go for the win, Kalush Orchestra!
Im already pissed this will do so well just bc of war…. And if it wins? What then? Even more debt for Ukraine?? Who will go there if the war does not stop? So sensless.
Wow, complain much?
The Ukraine will win by a landslide; both juries and public voting will exceed Portugal’s results in 2017. The war in The Balkans in the 1990’s, in Bosnia was 3 decades ago, a very different time than today. Then there was no social media at all, and it was only the news on TV and radio and newspapers, which influenced our lives and events unfolding day by day. We could ignore it if we wished to back then, the war was very real and horrible, but it was also very distant for many Europeans. There was no twitter, no tick… Read more »
I think they will do well, as they should, I do like the song. But I think someone else will win.
How? The maths don’t work.
Not good song, sorry. The rap part is just ??? it’s political because odds were the same from the start and they have changed the performer and odds remain the same. Like we can send anybody and still be the favorites. Stop politicizing song contest
Stop watching it, if you are that upset. You realize you are complaining about a TV show when Russia is destroying a culture and country?
Are you realizing that you are commenting on the blog that is all about TV show? This is not political blog btw. Russia is not taking a part in ESC. So, we do not have to bring politics in every part of art and sports. P.S. there’s 40 wars all over the world as this time. Imagine all NATO counties winning or being excluded? Nobody was this passionate when Armenian were made to leave their homes during the conflict with Azerbaijan last year. ESC should bring people together, not to divide them and to give us safe space to rest… Read more »
Do you realize YOU posted first and brought politics in?
I wrote 1st to stop pushing them for political reason and to stop politicizing the ESC and then you continued to write about Russians and war – and that is politicizing!
Only quality of the songs should matter not wars.
Your comments are like if I said “stop fighting” and you give someone a punch, kick and say “hey you brought the word ‘fight’ in.
Yes. Correct. YOU brought up politcs first. My God, how dumb are you?
Alfie’s right, you brought it up first. He just responded. If you had not mentioned politics, he would not have responded about politics. Just calling it like it see it.
Yeah, you brought it up first. Sorry.
If Ukraine really wins, in which country should be held Eurovision 2023?
If the war ends soon, Kyiv or Lviv would be more than capable host cities.
They are great cities to host, but for security reasons this will not happen for a long time to come. If they win , it will go to a neighbouring country like Poland or one of the Big 5. Maybe the Ukraine broadcaster should be cohosts in another city or country. Maybe it should go to the country that comes second and the Ukraine broadcaster TV shares as hosts.
I think Poland, Lithuania or UK
I predict a massive televote, winning it by a landslide. I hope the juries are able to put it where it deserves as it is not the best song this year. I’m glad they are able to participate and the moment Ukraine showcase their votes will be very emotional as it happened with Bosnia back in the 90s.
I forgot to say I’ll be completely disappointed if Ukraine ends up winning. Will be a wasted year if so. We should try to keep Eurovision a music contest, even if we still have emotional moments as Europeans. I repeat, Bosnia in the 90s is the very best example. Bosnia didn’t win but still received the acclaim of everyone involved.
Different era.
I wish all the best to Ukrainian people, when it’s matter of life and death it’s beyond politics. All my love and support to Ukraine… All that being said, I hate their song. Sorry, but it’s my 39/40 and it feels so cringy and lame… Just no. I hate every second, beats and every aspect of it and wouldn’t be mad if they don’t even qualify for the final (ain’t gonna happen, just saying)…
Ukraine for the win! Due to unfortunate circumstances, Kalush have become the “complete package” fir a Eurovision winner. – Catchy song, check – Standout performance, check – Their country is currently in everyone’s minds, thoughts and prayers, check – The hoops they had to jump through to actually even get to Turin, check. – Sticking it to Russia, autocracies, Putin, War, Check – Expressing a willingness to fight for freedom, independence, sovereignty, democracy and survival, check! Ukraine will win and I’m totally here for it. Expecting them to reach the heights of Måneskin worldwide also as a result. Kyiv 2023… Read more »
Not really understanding the downvotes? I want them to win and I think they will win that’s my opinion?
Thank you for the support!
I don’t downvote but I am curious as to why your opinion on Ukraine winning this year has changed so much, Darren?
If I remember correctly, only a few months ago, you were commenting how despicable it was that Ukraine won in 2016 with Jamala, that it was ‘political’, that you didn’t want the same thing to happen again this year, and that you strongly disliked Alina Pash’s entry – so I’ve been surprised to see the big leap in support you have for Kalush Orchestra since then.
Things have changed Jimmy. Kalush isn’t even political, the politics just came as a result of the war. Alina Pash was trying to recreate the Jamala experience and at the time, prior to invasion, I didn’t think it was necessary to be reminded. Things have very quickly changed as Ukraine is fighting for its survival. The very fact they have made it to Turin at all is a blessing. It’s just a different meaning right now. I’m still not political when it comes to Eurovision. But my support of Kalush is more humanity than politically. I genuinely do love the… Read more »
The downvotes, I suspect are either Russian or pro Russian bloggers, who want to influence our comments. Its a sad sate of affairs , but this is happening everywhere today and this website is very very popular website, because it brings Europeans and Eurovision fans together. A great opportunity for them to try and influence us. Not working thank you! Makes me reflect and appreciate i am from a country where there is freedom of speech and we can voice our opinion. Your perfectly right to voice your opinion, and many people agree with you. My advice is ignore and… Read more »
Stand out song I dint think so. It wouldn’t make the top 10 in a normal year
I think it will be like Norway 2019, win the televote, but no where near enough with the juries to even be in contention for the crown.
very likely scenario, no winner but top 10 for sure, it’s my 6th curently, I think staging gonna be interesting
The juries will eat this up too I am sure.
I actually expect them to win and set a new points record while doing so.
Did it ever occur to you that it’s televote will be so large that the jury vote won’t matter. They also came 4th with the eurojuries. No reason to think that Ukraine will do badly with the juries.
eurovision is a big thing here
I think we should stop for a moment and think about the meaning we are giving to the word “politics”. Brexit is politics. Erdogan making Turkey leave Eurovision is politics. What happens in Ukraine is invasion, bombs, mass murdering and graves and other things so inhumane that don’t really belong to this web, definitely not politics anymore. If people feel they should reward Ukraine in spite of disliking the song (something that is NOT going to happen) it could be solidarity or simpathy but not politics. And please, they have not won yet nor have they forced anyone to declare… Read more »
I am a Ukrainian and thank you!
thank you on behalf of Ukrainians, I couldn’t said it better
Great post.
i think a good way to avoid ukraine landsliding the televote with pity-votes would be to do something similar to what they did in melodifestivalen where all of the money from votes went to help ukraine. using eurovision as a means to raise awareness and funds for the people of ukraine would do them a lot more justice than handing them a victory. it’d be the best way to satisfy everyone. no matter what country you vote for, it should help ukraine in some way
it’s good that they’re keeping their performance true to the non-political message of their song, but the public will inevitably politicize it. i’m pretty sure they’ll landslide in the televote, and if someone else happens to win thanks to the juries, the public will rage. even mahmood said in an interview last week that he’d rather see ukraine win this year.
Good luck, Ukraine! Good luck, Kalush Orchestra! I cannot wait to see their performance. Ukraine brings amazing staging every year, and I hope this year will be no different, if not better!
I’m sorry I’m saying that but if I wasn’t a Eurovision fan since my childhood, I would say that this years contest is a garbage (as far as the songs are concerned)… It really seems that no one wants to win it this year… All of the songs are mediocre… The only one song which wakes you up this year, is that one from kalush orchestra.. I support this song even from their national final when they didn’t even had war… So I will only vote for them because I love the song and not cause of the war.. We… Read more »
It didn’t win for political reasons. It won due to statistical gaps between the winners of the jury vote and televote gave Ukraine an opening to win in 2016.
They will win second time thanks to politics. First ime in 2016, second time 2022
Bosnia and Croatia 1993 send their regards.
Not to mention Russia, champions of 2008 while they were invading Georgia and runners-up in 2015 after invading Ukraine.
the georgian invasion started in august 2008. you can even see the spokesperson tika patsatsia having a positive attitude while giving dima bilan 8 points.
that’s the 100% jury era, and social media didn’t exist. different times.
There’s no other incidence of other countries getting sympathy 12 ponts either way following a traumatic event that happened, unless one counts Italy winning last year because they were the epicenter of the early days of the pandemic.
Simply put, there’s no precedence.
Different era. Not sure the comparison works.
Also, if I may remind you: Ukraine didn’t win the jury OR televote. How could it be a political win if neither party technically considered it a winner?
Oh, please. Go complain to your mom.
Ukraine involve politics in Eurovision 2005,2016, 2017 and their National final 2019,2022
And you don’t know how grammar works
it is not politics. It is our life now. Sorry for bothering you with our suffering
That would just give people even more reason to vote for Ukraine, and make the win less valid. No.
Yes, they should be doing that all year, every year anyway. It’s the reason the union exists.
Will that Russian man in the white shirt be at the contest this year? You know him, he makes the camera find him every year. Think Israel 2018.
I hope not
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH you made my day really ?
Are you him?
Yes. I notice him every year, always in a white shirt. He likes to be seen. The presenters even interviewed him one year, he probably pushed his way to the front.
And the Spanish flag defaced with the word POTES on it. Must be really worn out by now. Trashy Eurovision traditions.
There is something quite annoying about him always finding that camera.
I am very mean.
Measured by your restraint.
I hope he will be banned from Eurovision as his master Putin is banned from Europe
I’m already prepared for Ukrainian win! Everything is rigged unfortunately. I’m looking forward to see placement 2-25 in the final, it will be interesting
don’t worry folks we not gonna win, juries will not give us much points, also there are a lot of fan favs songs who will collect more points from televote and juries in summary, Stefania is a decent entry but it’s not our turn to win
I hope so!!!! Thanks for your just approach 🙂
I don’t think you understand the televote score you will get. You are winning.
They did win their country televote, just not jurys.
Also Ukraine was high in polls even before war started.
Its not my nr 1 song either, but its definitely in my top10 of semifinal and i sincerely believe it would have qualified with an ease no matter what. No need to be disrespectful.
Ukraine was 2nd in the odds with Alina. Once she withdrew, they dropped to 5th/6th. Then as soon as the invasion started, that’s when they hit 1st and have stayed since. So yes, while it was high, it wasn’t considered a winner until that point.
Ukraine winning would make make a historic television moment. If Sweden or Italy won no one would care.
No, it would be a proxy victory and make the contest obscenely political
I think you need to trust the crowd that, if they vote for this, it is because its just s great song. And I’ve been on record on other posts here saying I hate rap.
Except it won’t it would be one of the worst winning songs in recent years, not to mention the “contest is political” arguments will get even worse if this wins.
Personally, I don’t think anything that Kalush do when it comes to the staging will do them any favours, the song is too divisive and also given the crisis, it will have it’s detractors as well as it’s fans. Stefania won’t have enough support from the juries to win this. Ukraine DOESN’T need too win this, they have far more than any winner would get.
Additional: I do not want to see a country win due to a conflict I have said this many times, I do want fairness and not ploys on social media to drive a country to win purely because of surface reasoning. It is unfair to all other countries who have worked so tirelessly to promote their entries across Europe, working on staging concepts and working with vocal coaches to strengthen their vocals for the contest. To have all that work be for nought, just because people want to give Ukraine a proxy victory because of whatever reason. No!
People use the war as a reason for winning. It’s really not fair to the other contestants! Their performance will be non- political but still people talk as they should win because of the russian aggression and to show the ukrainian strength. It will never be non-political!
Im so tired of people saying this song will win only because of the war … We are many people that actually loves this song, even before the war!!!!
wich people? do you release we can’t vote for ourselves,how can we use it? nobody in Ukraine asking to vote for us, my people are dying every freaking day and you blame us for using war to win some song contest, most of Ukrainians don’t even remember that’s Eurovision is coming because our life is literally a living bloody hell right now.
for god sake we don’t want to win Eurovision we want to win the war!
Read the article.
You’ll win both.
And its also not fair to keep bashing Ukraine entry like this.
They are not asking for pity votes.
They are just showing their song and their culture.
Give them some respect. Winning contest is last thing on their mind right now.
And believe it or not, there are actually people who love their song for what it is.
I wouldn’t mind seeing them take the trophy. Their song is my number 2 this year, it’s great!
Same. Like, even if it did win “because” of the war, at least it’s this song. And not like, Intention or Fade To Black.