They were recently given special clearance to leave Ukraine so they could perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. But ahead of that, Kalush Orchestra have traveled to the Israel Calling promotional event in Tel Aviv — not only to perform, but also to film their Eurovision postcard.
Times of Israel journalist Amy Spiro documented their day on her Twitter account.
She reports that the group couldn’t film their postcard — the introductory segment that airs before each act during the Eurovision broadcasts — in Ukraine. So instead they filmed it at the Jewish Agency for Israel, which helped them get to the country.
An outfit change for Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra filming their Eurovision postcard. pic.twitter.com/vk8Rgkz24R
— Amy Spiro (@AmySpiro) April 5, 2022
The actual postcard filming showed them in good spirits, raising their arms and serving the same swagger and attitude that helped them win the televote in Ukraine’s Vidbir 2022 national selection.
In the clip, which Amy has also uploaded, you can hear what appears to be a mock version of the parade of nations that opens the shows. You hear an announcer saying “France” as the audience claps and cheers.
The group later performed their entry “Stefania” in front of “a group of young Ukrainian refugees and new immigrants in Jerusalem.”
?? Kalush Orchestra singing “Stefania” to Ukrainian refugees in Israel is a reminder of the power and importance of #Eurovision ?
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) April 5, 2022
?? Video via @AmySpiro.
pic.twitter.com/1pEK0nY9P1
The Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne recently announced that the group had received special permission to leave the country for Eurovision and for a potential promo tour.
On Saturday, the six-piece group reunited in Lviv, one of the biggest cities of Western Ukraine.
In the city’s main square, Kalush Orchestra delivered a rendition of their Eurovision 2022 song, marking the first public performance of the number since they participated in Ukraine’s preselection back in early February.
I’m (not really) sorry to do this. But for everyone commenting that RUSSIANS, themselves, are not to blame, please watch this video of multiple Russians insulting Ukrainians, their language, and their culture. Please note, one of the comments is from a Russian who states that the majority of Russia now believes in the eradication of Ukraine as a culture.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/tzq6do/interesting_the_blood_of_the_ukrainian_children/
I want them to win
I’mso happy about this 🙂
Israel bless you and thank you for that!
I wouldn’t be caught dead that in that so called country so no blessings please!
I adore these guys. However my stance on their entry remains unchanged, I do not want to see a song be given the trophy purely because of a conflict. I know I sound like a broken record and selfish but, we had 3 years consecutive of politics entering the contest and influencing it. 2020: Belarus Banned. 2021: Armenia pulls out given the situation giving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. 2022: Ukraine conflict. I have the upmost respect for the guys from Kalush, but there song does nothing for me, much like Italy’s entry this year. I do wish them the very best… Read more »
You are the one who’s using politics to bash a song you don’t like. Many people do like it for musical reasons. Stop telling yourself that all the votes this song is gonna get is pity votes because it’s simply not the case, it’s what you’d like to think. Sometimes songs we don’t like do very well in the contest, just grow the f**k up and accept it. I hated plenty of winners, I didn’t sit and made up excuses why they won.
I agree with you , this song is liked by many and it is a really nice one.
I personally don’t mind Ukraine taking the trophy for any reason whether it is for a war or a song. A little joy for a tortured country.
If you look at the past few years and noticed an entry sticking out due to political reasons or a strong message (in a more positive limelight) then there’s a good chance victory is in sight, whether we like it or not. Marija Serifovic in 2007, Conchita in 2014, Jamala in 2016, Netta in 2018… Heck, probably even Dana International all the way back in 1998
On the other hand, Merci was more political than Toy and yet it didn’t even crack the top 10.
Because it’s a combination of factors that have to come together. You can never win with politics alone. You must have a strong entry as well. Merci was repetitive and pretty dull.
Belarus was banned in 2021.
It’s not ‘politics’, it’s not some vague ‘conflict’. It’s war. People are fleeing their homes, suffering, dying. Women are raped, children are being orphaned. If Eurovision can provide a platform for the victims, then so be it. Stefania is not even in my top 10, but if it wins, I won’t mind. There are bigger things on stake here than a song contest.
This!
My heroes
Kalush’s story reminds me so much of Fazla’s in 1993 – countries in the midst of war, still using their platforms to raise awareness of both their situation and culture, and still being able to enjoy Eurovision and make meaningful connections. I’m so glad they’re still here. We’re all rooting for you!
Alma and Dejan in 1994 too, and Davor in 1995. They all got an emotional response from the audience, and Kalush will get the same. It will be sad, but also empowering.
I’m old enough to remember 1993 so well as the contest was in my college friend’s home town! There was ‘a moment’ full of emotion when Fazla and co appeared on stage, everyone knew they had to escape Sarajevo in the middle of the night to get to Millstreet. There will be plenty of emotion also when the spokesperson from Ukraine appears on scrren. This may not necessarily translate into votes, but if it does, that’s great too! Ukraine is in my top 4 this year.