Amid Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, she’s become a Ukrainian cultural ambassador, traveling the continent to sing for peace and humanitarian assitsance. And on Tuesday Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala did it again at the Concert for Ukraine in Birmingham, England.

As ever, Jamala delivered a pitch-perfect performance of her winning song “1944”, which tells the story of the forced deportation of Crimean Tartars under Joseph Stalin. The strength of the song, however, comes in her emotional delivery. She feels every note — a reality shaped by the personal significance of the tragedy, during which her great grandmother lost a child.

The audience was visibly touched by Jamala, as seen through cutaways of children and adults looking on in complete awe. 

The concert was held to raise funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) humanitarian appeal.

Concert for Ukraine: Jamala performs “1944” in Birmingham

 

Jamala joined a star-studded lineup of performers who came together to raise funds for humanitarian relief in war-torn Ukraine. The other artists included: Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Emeli Sande, Gregory Porter, Anne Marie, Paloma Faith, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Becky Hill, The Kingdom Choir, Manic Street Preachers, and Tom Odell.

Camila Cabello performed Coldplay’s “Fix You” and offered her personal support for the Ukrainian people.

“We’re all praying tonight for the peace and safety of the people of Ukraine,” she said. “Thank you so much for being part of this super important fundraiser and please donate anything you can.”

Ed Sheeran sound joined her on stage for their first-ever live performance of their duet “Bam Bam”.

33 Comments
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Helena
1 year ago

Thank God EBU doesnt allow politics to be involved in the contest

AF32
AF32
1 year ago

For all of you who DON’T Believe RUSSIANS support the war, here is a phone call from a captured Russian POW to his mother telling her that the War is wrong, but the MOTHER refuses to hear it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tprokf/rusdian_soldier_mother_explains_why_russia/

HONESTLY! OPEN YOUR DAMN EYES! RUSSIANS ARE JUST AS BAD AS THEIR GOVERNMENT

Sam
Sam
1 year ago

Nice they actually got at least one Ukrainian artist to perform but I’m sure the few lines in Crimean Tatar was more than enough foreign for the British ears.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

probably the most important esc winner ever

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

We are the world’s people, different yet we’re the same. We believe, we believe, in the dream.

Praying for peace and healing, I hope we can start again. We believe, we believe, in the dream…

AF32
AF32
1 year ago

Oh come on, don’t make me vomit.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

The performance of the night if I’m honest. Wasn’t a big fan of the fact Ukraine won in 2016, however the song has gone on to have a very different meaning now, and I totally get it. Jamala owned the performance last night. While I appreciate the work that went into it, it felt weird watching everyone jump around in laughter and excitement when Ed Sheeran came out ….it just felt weird considering the concert was happening due to the large amount of suffering and destruction happening in Ukraine. Just felt that some of the audience was there for different… Read more »

Bombalurina
Bombalurina
1 year ago

She’s currently writing about this horrible situation from her Istanbul house. Hoping for this nightmare to end and hear some new meaningful music from Jamala.
Stay strong Ukraine

AF32
AF32
1 year ago

I NEVER WANT TO SEE RUSSIA BACK IN EUROVISION!! I want the country and the people to crumble to the ground and never rebuild while the world moves forward without them. Horrible, nasty people. Just look at their support for Putin.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  AF32

A million voices say no.

Essie
Essie
1 year ago
Reply to  AF32

So your solution to violence and human suffering is more violence and more humans to suffer, just on the other side of a border… the millions of civilians are not the same as their leader.

AF32
AF32
1 year ago
Reply to  Essie

You should look at all of the Reddit forums. They are DEFINITELY the same. They are now saying the TV protest by the Russian host was a stunt b/c now she is asking for sanctions to be lifted because it’s not the Russian people’s fault. And unlike every other arrested protester, she got a nominal fine, where as children are being held in jail. By my review, a large majority support Russia’s horrible actions.

Donkey
Donkey
1 year ago
Reply to  AF32

you can’t generalise all Russians like that. Not all Russians reserve to die bc of the actions of putin smh.

Mariia
1 year ago
Reply to  Donkey

80% of Russians support the invasion, that is all you need to know about them

Sam
Sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariia

Interested to know where you personally managed to get such a specific statistic out of a country that routinely rigs and fudges numbers.

AF32
AF32
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam

look at the reddit forums. SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, here —> https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/

AF32
AF32
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariia

THANK YOU!!! Look at the Reddit forums. See for yourselves! Russians have been posting ” No surrender. Burn them to the ground.”

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  AF32

Because if there’s any website I trust, it’s the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Reddit. Got any particularly damning TikToks I should know about, you expert in credible journalism?

Ted
Ted
1 year ago
Reply to  AF32

Russia have withdrawn their membership of the ebu so they will not be permitted to partake in future events whist they are non members.
Further information about the benefits of being a member of the ebu are available on the web.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

Still cannot fathom how this finished second to Russia in the televote. Only took five years for people to comprehend the importance of this song. Well done to Jamala for reminding people of Russia’s atrocities toward Ukraine, past and present. Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

I’m glad that her showing up at national finals and pre-parties is “spoiling the fun” for some Eurofans. This song is a shock to the system, a cry of anguish on behalf of a country desperate for acknowledgement and aid. If her reminding you of that is “killing the vibe,” good! You deserve to be reminded! Ignorance is not bliss. Silence = death. If your goal is to ignore the rest of the world in your happy little bubble, you’re shutting out so many suffering people who could use help. Eurovision isn’t an escape: it’s a reinforcement of both what’s… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Are there really people who think that way?

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Please lord don’t check the comments under Wiwi’s interview with Jamala in Barcelona.

AF32
AF32
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

A lot of ESC fans only want to see “fun”; hence, all of the “I want a contest” whining.

Vale
Vale
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Never underestimate the Russian propaganda machine in the European countries in the last decade. I wouldn’t be surprised that they paid Russian trolls to vote in different countries for Russia in the final!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Vale

They cheat at everything else, and put a lot of effort into it. I don’t know why the song contest should be any different. It would explain how they won in 2008.

Brötchen
Brötchen
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Sergey coming third in 2019 was definetly sus.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Brötchen

Getting 12 from Albania and the Czech Republic when they both had more likely countries to vote for (Italy and I would figure Azerbaijan or Iceland, respectively) was very sus. So was their support for Moldova in the final last year. I smell shenanigans.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Joe

Russia also had a good song that year, but admittedly, 1944 is better. A deserving winner. Other than that, 2016 did have major misses in voting. I mean, Iceland and Estonia not even qualifying, for instance, or Croatia, Georgia, and Czech Republic finishing low in the finals. So, this was just a cherry on a cake of questionable voting choices. In the end, 1944 still won, and I’m glad it did!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

It somehow rectified the 2008 result. It was nice to see Philip Kirkorov lose both times, though.

Colin
Colin
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

2008 was another year with questionable results. Portugal and Albania outside of top 10, and Switzerland not even qualifying… And still, I find these entries extraordinary even by today’s standards. At least Serbia got to be 6th.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago
Reply to  Colin

2008 was a miserable year. I’ll give Kirkorov this and only this: I’d rather his song had won than Believe. Best song was Turkey or Israel, either of them should’ve won. Thank the lord the juries came back. That result was so disastrous the EBU finally came to their senses.

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
1 year ago

I’ve seen something like this advertised at the St David’s Hall in Cardiff. Wonder if she is performing there? Are there other Ukrainian artists at this?