Ruslana, the winner of Eurovision 2004, is known for her flair and drama, and she put those traits on display in a very public way as part of the ongoing protests in Kyiv’s Independence Square.
The “Wild Dances” singer, who is also a former parliamentarian, threatened to burn herself alive if Ukraine’s government doesn’t listen to the will of the people who are increasingly fed up with the leadership looking toward Moscow rather than to the West.
“I’ll be honest, I can burn myself on this square, unless changes occur,” she said.
The drama kicked off two weeks ago when Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych announced that he didn’t want to sign an association agreement with the EU. Angry Ukrainians took to the streets to protest. Many would have followed Ruslana, who has been one of the leaders of the rally since day one.
She has been standing on her soapbox throughout the Ukraine protests.
“It is not about political parties, but about the people who want to lead a better life,” she said. “A government that is doing something like that to our children has lost all justification!….The injuries may heal, but the emotional scars of the brutal assault the young people will not come to terms with so soon.”
We hope that Kiev will return to peace, and Ruslana doesn’t burn herself.
William Cahill contributed this report from Ireland. Follow the team from wiwibloggs.com on Twitter @wiwibloggs and keep up with the latest Eurovision news by liking our Facebook page.
I truly believe in the Protestors and Ruslana in their cause. This is something that should anger everyone who wants to live in a country where the will of the people should be the what the government looks to, not the minority elite.
Sorry, I should say that I respect your opinion, though. It’d certainly bad if she were only doing this for the drama of it all. There are some people who are drama magnets…
I mean, people exaggerate sometimes and make their mistakes, indeed many times when there is a serious issue. She’s doing virtually all she can to protest, when she could just as easily stay at home and lend “spiritual support” and still retain popularity as a result. I’m not sure what more you want to see from her – you seem to just be cherry-picking one detail which is hardly relevant to the larger story of her being important to this protest movement as well as the one in the Orange Revolution. It’s not like I’m that big of a Ruslana… Read more »
@Alex: No matter how much you like Ruslana as a person or/and performer, does not entitle me to agree and see her under the same light and regardless what you and anyone who loves her for whatever reason think, the fact that she exaggerated with such a serious issue (this is no Eurovision 2004 nor another cheesy wild dance we’re dealing with) just furthers my lack of faith on what she wants from all this. I’m sorry this is what I think. Loreen was far more believable why her boldness and dare in Baku in 2012 than this … again… Read more »
Honestly, what’s the big hype around her. When she was announcing the votes this year she sounded HIGH!
I hope the Ukrainian people are able to get what they want and stop Ukraine from being a Belarus 2.0 type country.
is this about joining EU coz they’re making a mistake, i’m telling ya. whatever it is, hopefully ruslana doesn’t burn herself tho.
She has the right to speak with anger (and she apologized for the exaggeration below); furthermore, your assumption that this is a ploy for attention is poorly founded. She was the voice of protestors in the Orange Revolution years ago as well, a very legitimate part of the movement. See
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/11/meet-ruslana-lyzhychko-the-soulvoickraine-s-revolution.html
I find it offensive that someone like Ruslana who is quite popular in Ukraine (although that popularity is just the result of not being a credible singer whatsoever) is using such a serious social and political matter to gain attention. This wanting to commit suicide is ridiculous, irresponsible and show complete immaturity towards what is really being discussed here. You don’t serve yourself with serious issues like this to act like a complete clown for the cameras … come on, girl, you should know better. This ain’t no wild dance, we are no longer in 2004 and the social problems… Read more »
I can’t usee her with the flamethrower she had on the opening act of the Kiev final…
…I’m a terrible person…
Anna: You are a hateful beast with a filthy mouth.
This girl is on fire (sorry..)
Random hateful comment
Attention! No burning! Ruslana: “I had none the least intention to burn myself. You’d better take this allegoric comparison as a manifestation of sheer determination and courage to fight. I agree that the comparison is not quite right. Do not scold me for it. WE, and not me, are of utmost importance. We need to burn negative emotions, to forgive everyone and to ask for blessing for all people. Thank you for your understanding and again I ask you for pardon. I will be more cautious with each and every word in the future. I ask you to be careful… Read more »