They were due to bring their unique brand of folktronica and rock to the Söngvakeppnin 2022 grand final on Saturday. However, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Go_A are unable to travel to Iceland.
Go_A were initally invited to peform during the interval of the national final on the back of topping the Icelandic televote at Eurovision 2021. In their absence, Sweden’s Tusse — the 2021 runner-up with the Icelandic public — will perform instead.
Go_A will no longer perform at the Söngvakeppnin 2022 final
In a statement, Söngvakeppnin organisers say: “When it became clear that Go_A could not come to Iceland, the representatives of the competition here in Iceland contacted Tusse, the Swedish singer who represented Sweden at Eurovision in Rotterdam last year”. Tusse will sing his Melodifestivalen hit “Voices” on Saturday.
The show’s team sent their support to the “SHUM” group with Söngvakeppnin director Rúnar Freyr Gíslason explaining that: “We’ve had a good relationship with the [Go_A] team for the last few weeks and told them how sorry we are. I also told them that our thoughts were with them and that Icelanders supported them during this difficult time. We last said goodbye with the hope that they would be able to visit us next year”.
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
On Thursday 24 February, Russia launched a long-feared “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine. This happened just days after Russia’s authoritarian leader Vladimir Putin recognised the pro-Russian breakaway regions of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) and eight years after Russia illegally annexed Crimea. Ever since, Ukraine has been subjected to heavy airstrikes and fierce fighting.
In the wake of the invasion Europe and its allies have imposed severe economic sancitons on Russia, while sporting and cultural bodies have excluded the country from international events, including Eurovision. Ukrainian artists have been doing their best to get important messages out to their followers both at home and abroad. Ukraine’s Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala performed at national finals in Germany and Romania, after fleeing with her family to the latter. Go_A too have provided regular updates on their social media channels. Lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko has called for the skies to be closed over Ukraine, while also sharing details of some of the destruction caused by Russian forces.
Ukrainian people, stay strong!
This war showed the evil in its purest form. I am sometimes ashamed to be human.
Sadly, this is happening all the time around the World. The diference is that Media chose to show a little part of it: only the invasion of Ukraine. Evil is WAY darker that this.
We can all thank 1 man for this….
I’d say he lost the privilege to be called a man some time ago
Tusse make million voices spread a message of peace and a stop to war
This is really heartbreaking. I hope everyone will be able to stay safe. I almost cried seeing Jamala’s situation. I also hope Kalush Orchestra will be able to travel to Turin, it’s very important for them to represent Ukraine in such a time like now. But they have much more important things to worry about. One of my distant relatives (he’s a medical student) just returned from Ukraine on last Saturday. I was so relieved. There are still lots of young foreign students who are stuck there scared to death. I hope they’ll be able to return. Seriously, Putin deserves… Read more »
Queen Katheryna is irreplaceable
My hope for Kalush is that Ukraine is still competing in the Paralimpics as well as in another sports competitions. They may be challenged but there’s a possibility they will make it.
Kateryna said in an Instagram story she’s not leaving her country ;___;
This is such a disrespectful joke, on so many levels.
But who will hand out the winner trophy in Sweden then? And sing Voices?
They can pre-record Tusse’s performance in Iceland on Friday
Tusse sang already Voices – during 1 heat actually – so i think Oscar Zia will give a trophy – he has got Italian roots – and song Contest will be in Italy – so it make a sence – but Yeah they can pre – record also Tusse song in Iceland
We are the worst people … different and same …
We need to DESTROY Russia!
Only Putin and his followers.
That’s literally majority of Russian population
yes because russia has free and fair elections
Putin’s approval rating has rised by 9 percents since the occupation of Ukraine
That’s what he wants you to believe, there’s been protests all around Russia since the occupation started and his regime has been unable to hold the protestors off
There are too little people on those protests, it will not lead anywhere
Ajá, so tell us what happen if they think different….
Most Russians I know hate him
Kalush are young men. Are they even allowed to leave the country?
Ofc Zelensky will let them represent Ukraine
Yes, just like many Ukrainians continue to participate in sport events. Exceptions can be granted.
Men are not allowed to leave BUT they can make an exception I think. Other problem is that it is dangerous on the road, you can get shot
Kalush appears to be from Western Ukraine, there isn’t much fighting there so leaving shouldn’t be a problem.
agree but they could be in Kyiv when it started (I am from Ukraine btw)
So much love for Ukraine after last year with GoA – can’t believe what’s happening ;__;
It’s already confirmed that Tusse will perform in their place, given how Sweden finished 2nd with the Icelandic televote last year. Still, I hope for the best for the people of Ukraine.
How about Blind Channel
A lot of people are relieved Russia is now banned (me too!) but the truth is, the invasion will continue to cast a long shadow over Eurovision.
How sad for all Ukrainians who cannot live a normal life and travel safely. It is also very likely that kalush will not be able to travel to eurovision too.
I am from Ukraine and I would be very surprised if we participate considering those factors: 1) you can get shot on the road and to get from one city to another you need a couple of days; 2) Men are not allowed to leave the country (some exceptions could be made tho) and some are already in the army; 3) The airports have been destroyed. The only way is to have a permission from a president and risk their lives to cross the border with Poland or Romania by car. And than take a plane from there. So it… Read more »
and another thing is that it takes money to take part. Ukrainians will not understand that and will demand for all the money to be spend on the army. Just like we all do. Every person donates
I hope they are safe 🙁 But this is exactly why I am worried about Kalush Orchestra participating this year… I can’t imagine anyone rehearsing, preparing the costumes and staging and finally actually performing, when they have much worse problems to think about. How can they perform and at the same time worry about safety of their loved ones? And more of a technical problem – does EBU expect everyone in Ukraine to actually watch Eurovision and vote for someone? It’s heartbreaking. Hopefully, maybe it will get better soon and this horrible war will just stop.
Ultimately, even in war times people need some happy moments. More than ever actually. It’s gonna be tough but I think they will pull it off.
Every day I hope things get better in Ukraine. 🙁
As for the televote, if Ukraine still participates (and if it’s any possible, they should), maybe a demoscopic jury of a few hundred Ukrainian fans from abroad can be gathered and used as televote (much like in San Marino)? For this year only, I hope.
I hope that both GoA and Kalush Orchestra will be okay.
Both TV and phones work in Ukraine (so far), therefore for the time being I don’t see a problem with televoting at the moment.