Ever since fleeing the war in Ukraine, Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala has been lifting her voice to raise awareness about the war in Ukraine. She’s traveled to Romania, Germany, and beyond to call for humanitarian aid and to call on NATO to help close the skies over her country.
Earlier this week Jamala made a stop in The Netherlands and appeared on the TV programme College Tour. She confirmed that she was not asked to perform in Turin, which surprised her. She said she’s keen to perform on the stage — not for herself, but for her people.
“I would do it,” she said. “It’s a really good stage to remember. Don’t forget that every delay of weapons, of speaking about this, costs Ukrainian lives.”
Jamala’s dream, she said, is for Kalush Orchestra to win Eurovision. She’d love the next Eurovision Song Contest to be held in a free and peaceful Kyiv.
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Jamala’s goodwill tour of Europe has seen her put the focus on her homeland by singing her Eurovision entry “1944”.
The song, which recounts the forced deportation of Crimean Tartars from Crimea under Joseph Stalin, is deeply personal to Jamala, as her great grandmother was among those forced on that long march.
The song won the contest two years after Russia illegally annexed the region. Jamala tapped into the zeitgeist, but she also performed with a heart-wrenching sincerity that, she told us, left her crying every single time.
In looking back her song proved eerily timely – just as it remains today. This is how we reviewed the song in the run up to Eurovision 2016:
This is dark, direct and at times nihilistic: “They kill you all and say, ‘We’re not guilty’…everyone dies.” In lesser hands this would come off as melodrama. But Jamala delivers it with conviction and soul, resulting in a strangely intoxicating and other-worldly sound. “1944” defies convention, mixing traditional Crimean Tartar music with soul and R&B, and yet it somehow remains universal and accessible. At the end of the song she channels the pain of a thousand victims in one single cry. This is a gift that can’t be taught.
Would you like to see Jamala perform at Eurovision 2022? Let us know in the comments box below.
And the comments saying “she’s doing it for herself” or in that ball park.. totally unnecessary, rude and just untrue.
She was asked a question.. she answered. So what if she is ready and willing, stop crying about it! This wouldn’t be a political performance, Eurovision was created for PEACE, she would be singing for PEACE..
Oh ffs, I’m all for supporting of Ukraine but Jamala is just getting pettier by the second at this moment. I get that the whole Crimea and general Ukraine/Russia discourse is personal to her, but this behavior is just leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. It will sound extremely shallow, but no, I don’t wanna see anything related to war, politics, or anything akin to that on the Eurovision stage, especially this year. It’s my one week of the year where we can all just be happy together, appreciate the kitsch and cheesy, and get passionate about dumb songs… Read more »
100%! This is getting out of control. What about people don’t want to hear, don’t care or don’t support Ukraine? Maybe people just want to be in the ESC bubble for a change. As if we aren’t getting enough information about Ukraine. Are we just going to let Ukraine hold hostage of everything? I am at a point of just shutting anything and anyone uttering the word Ukraine. Don’t say, don’t want to know, don’t care! Also there are other conflicts around the world. Ukraine is not everything!!! Ffs!
Enough of her ffs, she got out fast at start and has pimped her way around Europe for the Eurovision season ever since, she is doing this only for herself
If anyone should be raising awareness, RAI should invite someone to perform “we don’t wanna put in”, ideally the original performers, or Verka.
I’m sorry I wrote 2 very long comments. I couldn’t help it.
I’m a big fan of the contest and I’ve been watching it for a very very long time. But sadly my personal taste rarely ever coincides with the average taste of the die-hard fans. For me, only on rare occasions has the best song actually won. And one of those occasions was in 2016. IMO Ukraine had the best song & the best singer. That is why I was able to turn a blind eye to its political content. That year it seemed like the contest was turning into something more alternative, more artistic, less mainstream, less prefabricated, less predictable… Read more »
I’m always taken aback & saddened by the amount of hate Jamala gets. Did the political content in that song give Ukraine an unfair advantage over the other contestants? Yes, it did. And at the time, I had concerns about ‘1944’ being accepted into the competition. Now, looking back, I think the EBU did the right thing in accepting ‘1944’ as that song at that time arose the right amount of attention to the UKR-RUS conflict. Don’t delude yourselves: Eurovision isn’t, never was & most likely never will be apolitical. You need a good dose of hypocrisy to be constantly… Read more »
Dude just because you say well there’s rules but they are always broken doesn’t make it right, you fcks in Europe have been fighting for hundreds and hundreds of years, you can’t get over over it and thats why we have this garbage there are rules but blah blah, Ukraine one year someone else the next, you cnts live for it that’s all I can think of.
Kalush is already representing Ukraine and everyone in Europe and globally is aware of the war in Ukraine, so raising awareness is unnecessary.
I respect a woman who speaks her mind, but this is Kalush’s moment and they are working hard on their cause. As I said b4, she can be their spokesperson to give out their jury vote.
self-centered??? She literally is doing everything to help her country she had to flee because the people are being raped and slaughtered. I’m getting so sick of all the hate Jamala and Kalush are getting like eurovision is even 1% as important as what is happening in Ukraine. Her husband, friends and family might be raped, tortured or killed and you have the nerve to call her self-centered because she wants to give attention to that just because it annoys you? I don’t even have the words for how rude this is.
If it is not even 1% important then why is she going out of her way to comment about it constantly? She did it in Turkish TV as well. If I wanted to invite someone from Ukraine to help the situation I’d invite Alina Pash at this point
Wholeheartedly agree with most of the comments – she should not be invited. Eurovision should not be any more political than it is. I never liked this song for a number of reasons at the time: 1) Its very clear political content 2) Her repetition of the words “Our souls’ – say it over and over again and it has another inappropriate meaning in English. Why did no-one ever realise this? 3) The song was apparently in contravention of Eurovision’s own rules about release/performance dates. It should have been disqualified and never have been allowed to be performed. I consider… Read more »
You need to have a perverted mind to hear anything other than ‘our souls’. Even when repeating it several times. I’m sorry, but that’s just my opinion.
Thanks for your opinion – I always took it to be an insult to the Russians for their treatment of the Tartars, rather than its vulgar biological meaning. It has two meanings so I’m not sure that is a perverted mind. I always took ‘our souls’ as a play on words, and if it is then it is inappropriate in a song in Eurovision. I am sure Jamala will never admit to it if it was intentional.
it’s not like we’ve been bombarded by news about Ukraine 24/7…
You and me both Jamala, I wasn’t invited either.
Sorry but why would they invite her?
I am Ukrainian and I do not think that she should perform in this case. It is enough that we have our band “Kalush” bringing awareness to the situation on the stage
I’m tired of her desperately seeking attention everywhere, I support Ukraine but RAI isn’t obligated to ask Jamala to perform
you are tired of her desperately seeking attention for her country where people are getting slaughtered, raped and tortured everyday? Imagine how tired she is of that happening everyday.
I guess we will have to wait for some more years till former soviet republics stop making politics at Eurovision. Let’s remember, western Europe did the same for quite some time. They finally stopped, now eastern Europe has to go that path. Anyway, as sorry as I feel for Ukraine, the media is already full of that conflict, now let’s celebrate unity, love and peace without pointing at that one horrible disaster Russia has unleashed.
Nobody felt sorry or condemned NATO’s ILLEGAL bombing of Serbia & Montenegro in 1999
Yup…
typical manipulation from another russian troll. We are not talking about them. It is about Ukraine now
It was impossible to feel sorry for Milosevic. An awful man. Good thing he is six feet under now.
Milosevic was NEVER Serbia, no matter how it seemed. He held ”his” whole country hostage and innocent people took the blow, while he was safe and sound in his fortress, until the point ,those same people not having anything else to lose, surrounded him with their desperation to which he finally succumbed. No bomb has ever brought any good, no matter who was the target. Nothing is ever black or white. For your sake, I hope you never get the full grasp of what I’ve just written.
There must be someone on Wiwibloggs who does not believe in freedom of speech. I have tried to answer you and elaborate on what you said but my comment remained censored just because I mentioned one particular country which is untouchable for the West.
This woman has been spreading hatred and nationalism ever since her victory. E N O U G H !!!
Good. We need her as far away from the contest as possible.
I’m sure the EBU/RAI will do a special segment for Ukraine but it doesn’t have to be Jamala singing 1944.
They shouldn’t as long as Ukraine is competing. It’d give an unfair advantage
What does it mean they didn’t invite her? Who said they should? Italy won last year Italy should invite whoever they want to perform!
I hope not, I love 1944 but this is Italy not Ukraine, if she go to the festival this year it will be 100% by political reasons and this is not what eurovision meant to be. So pls Mrs. don’t pressure to attend.
the very reason eurovision exists is political tho
Who does she think she is?
Im so bored of this. Also, jamalas dream is ukraine to win? I really hope that ukraine will not win.. many more countries deserve to win more than ukraine.
To all the “people” who think that this is abput politics understand this: war us not politics, its every day reality for people. While you are so privileged to whine about how you don’t want politics, someone out there is a bomb shelter without food or water because it’s their reality, not police. Continue to whine , God forbid you ever feel the way Ukrainians feel and then you won’t be whining about politics but begging people to care.
Pathetic, privileged society
Ex Yugoslav republics know what war is and as someone who is from one of those countries i say keep politics out of the contest. You can watch LITERALLY every other channel if you want war coverage, leave eurovision alone.
totally agree
One of the best comments on here. People in this comment section have gone mad it seems, its so sad to see
How can a comment like this ever get a single negative vote is beyond me!!!??? No wonder we’re on the brink of the 3rd World war…
Why the hell should she be? It is in Italy, not Ukraine
She isn’t done with brining politics to Eurovision it seems 😀 Jeez, she’s all about politics inteligently arranged into song/art. So sad to see her being a political puppet for so many years now. I am all about bringing peace to Ukraine and stopping EVERY war in the world, but Ukraine is using political media (tv) propaganda for so many years now, and they still have the audacity to say that Russia is the one to be accused of that 😀 Both Ukraine and Russia are the same in that aspect. The bottom line: Same as Armenia last year, Ukraine… Read more »
Just get it over with and say you want Ukrainians to suffer throughout the years
No one wants that, but at this point everyone’s fed up with her seeking attention this way
??? i’m sorry but this comment is really ignorant
I’m getting tired of her and her need of attention
They aren’t obligated to ask you Jamala, deal with it.
No. Not everything has to be about Ukraine during Eurovision night.
I think the EBU should keep to the schedule they have. Jamala could announce the results for Ukraine’s jury. This production is about Italy as hosts as they won it last year and the focus should be Italy at ESC. To be fair i agree its best to keep anything visible about politics out for the night or any cause for accusations of bias. Ukraine has the potential to will win anyway, and the EBU doesn’t want to be accused of bias. I don’t think the powers that be in countries like Serbia, Israel, Armenia and Azerbaijan would like or… Read more »
i think if Ukraine was not participating , I would certainly say yes to inviting her. If something was to be acknowledged then look at the end of the ESC final in 1999 after the reprise of Sweden winning when everyone sang Hallelujha , and this was special permission from the EBU dedicated to the victims of war in Kosovo. EBU did the right thing.
Allies? Wouldn’t be comfortable with Jamala performing? Are you joking?
I hope she won’t perform on Esc stage, but not for the reasons you mentioned.
Eurovision should not be political, and that’s it.
Eurovision is literally formed because of unity and peace. Being against the war literally should not be considered political or bias and even less because some stupid people could be uncomfortable with it because they might be allies with or support the country committing this horrible war.
Please no, i want a fun night, i don’t want more politics. Don’t make the show political. We get it, it’s war but can we have three nights without it?
For you it’s politics, for Ukrainians it’s their bombed houses and killed relatives. Enjoy your privilege of not facing what they are, just whine about “politics” while a country has mass graves of dead and tortured.
My country was bombed 23 years ago, i know what they are going through. Talking about privilege; you don’t know any of us here. Go to twitter, that’s the place for you.
And leave eurovision alone.
you are probably 12 or so, cause the person who knows what a war is would never say that
I’m 37, i was 13 when my country was bombed. Stop embarrassing yourself.
“Russian” name? How stupid you are? Ksenija is a greek name (xenia) which means hospitality.
Let me help your ignorant self.
Other versions of xenia:
Ksenija (Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania; ???????, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia);
One girl from our last year’s entry (hurricane) is also ksenija.
Stop embarrassing yourself, you’re the ignorant one. Try to educate yourself and be less confident in your ignorance.
not surprised by a russian name too
Yeah, and that very same year while Serbia was bombed, ESC was won but the most cheerful song ever. Everyone was celebrating and being happy, not caring one bit…Silly me, forgetting the basics – Serbia deserved to be bombed ’cause things are either black or white…
It was illegal bom.bing and nobody cared. They were using bom.s that made us sicker (sadly, the same scenario awaits ukrainians). Most people were happy about it because we “deserved” it. Instead of punishing politicians who made the mess they punished regular people by imposing sanctions. But as you can see we survived. We’re joking here that if things gets worse, and they will, we will be able to get by. We know what are power restrictions, inflation, the lack of petrol and food. Having said all this: leave eurovision alone. Discuss politics on every other channel, let families watch… Read more »
you are right
Its a song compitition and Ukraine is also participating, so it would not be fair if the country is lifted above the contest for political reasons.
It is a song contest and not a political demonstration. She sang at pre parties, at tv shows. I think it’s not fair towards all the other countries to have taken their attention away. Ukraine gets lots of attention, it has been enough thank you
No more Jamala
We are fed up with her
And she is fed up with her country being in a horrible war and people getting killed, tortured and raped everyday now who has it worse do you think?
she could be their spokesperson
She sounds exactly the same like Ilse DeLange last year, who was also dissapointed about not being asked.
Nah, Jamala purely wants to get invited to make the show about Ukraine
The big difference is that Ilse is Dutch and the contest was held in the Netherlands.
With all the love and support, this shouldn’t be the place for it.
I love 1944 and Jamala’s emotional performance but it will make the show very political and overshadow everyone including Italian organisation. Jamala is touring Europe by making appearances so she doesn’t need Eurovision. Kalush represent Ukraine.
Please keep politics out of Eurovision
The fact Ukraine are there in the first place is political..
Ukraine don t deserve to win 2022 with their song. They won in 2016 thanks to political song . Please no more again.
The deportation of gypy people in WW2 is not political, it was a history fact, same as it’s a history fact Mata Hari was a Dutch dancer
Their song is more meaningful; don’t you see the news?
It’s a war in Ukraine, we get it and Europe is doing everything to help. I’m sure awareness is high so let the Italians shine because it’s their Eurovision. Ukraine will get pitty points and steal the show anyway…
Eurovision Song Contest managed to stay non-political and neutral during the bloody ex-yugoslav wars in 90s, and it should stay like this on this ESC. But, it would be OK if EBU organize some concert similar to live aid for Africa in 80s or something like that to help Ukrainian people… With esc stars or something,but not using Song Contest itself for that purpose.
Yugoslavia was kicked out and banned for 12 long years. Yeah, very neutral…
EBU no Jamala in Turin. Call Ruslana, Zlata…
Jamala, I have very uncomfortable question to you.
Can you stop transforming this contest into a political tool?
I mean, she’s literally trying to stop her people from being kidnapped, raped and slaughtered, left and right, the best she can, but sure, let’s all make fun of her because we’re still pressed about Maruv.
read the room
Novody cares about maruv. It’s 2022, people moved on a million times ago.
She’s trying to make Eurovision a political event and Eurovision is the opposite of that.
She’s trying to stop her people being kidnapped, raped and slaughtered, how? By singing on Eurovision? You think Russians care about her words?
She doesn’t belong on eurovision and i hope Italian won’t invite her.
Considering I still keep reading the same tired old joke, at completely inappropriate moments, I would say people have, in fact, not moved on. Of course Russians won’t care about her words, that’s why she isn’t appealing to them but to the rest of the world. I thought it was logical. I agree Eurovision in its core shouldn’t be political, but are people’s lives worth less than 12 hours of television? I guess I might have been raised wrong, because I do not understand today’s society and their priorities. I guess we’re all only woke because it looks cute on… Read more »
“Of course Russians won’t care about her words, that’s why she isn’t appealing to them but to the rest of the world. I thought it was logical.” We definitely don’t need jamala for that, especially not on Eurovision. Western media has been coverings the war 24/7, i don’t need it on Eurovision too. She’d say everything that people have already said, her presence there would only annoy people and that’s the opposite of what would like to achieve. Israel is completing just fine. Europe couldn’t care less about what’s happening there (words are cen.sored, i won’t mention the specific nation… Read more »
Sorry for typos, I’m on phone and I’m useless on phone. Hopefully you’ll get what i was trying to say
Learn to see the forest and not just the tree. My joke was a humorous way to tell that Jamala is an attention-hore that uses Eurovision for her political agenda. Do you prefer it like this? I’m not.
If you can’t read past the joke, I’m afraid you are too immature to get involved in discussions like this.
Yes, because people tend to forget that things like that and move on with their lives. But people who are tortured don’t.
Are you dense? She’s bringing awareness about what’s happening in Ukraine but you’re dismissing any actions you see from one of their people. Just say you are pro-war crime and are enabling the actions of the Russian government against them. You bootlicker.
I hope you are doing actually something to help Ukrainian people instead of wasting time preaching random people on the internet.
Well then same goes to you, too. Have you already?
You are the who’s acting superior, not me. You are the one who is insulting me, not the other way around.
Show us that you are better than me by telling us what exactly have you done to help Ukrainians. Typing, sharing, liking and clicking at internet articles while you are in your cosy home don’t count.
Speaking of Maruv, she’s a sell out. Thank God she didn’t represent the country.
Hmmmm. I mean, I get it, a bit of me would like to see the song being performed there, given how serious and important this topic is, and how much people care about the victims of war in Ukraine. But it does in some ways feel like they would be pushing things a bit if they did invite her. By that, I mean that the EBU wants things to stay “non-political”. I suppose one could argue that by excluding Russia, they’ve already made it so. But Jamala and 1944 has nothing to do with Italy, so it really would be… Read more »
I don’t need her to be there. There will be enough attention for Ukraine, it’s a song contest and not a political demonstration
Probably Italy is one of the worst organizing country in the last years…
All the technical issues, the fact that Maneskin don’t have the respect to come and sing in the show that made them famous all over the world, the fact that they didn’t invite Jamala giving the current situation…
I’m looking forward to see what else they will fail to do!
Hope they won’t win this year too, next year we need a proper Eurovision organizer…
Moneskin is performing live in the final.
No they are not, they will be live streaming from Los Angeles!
Are you sure? I’ve read that they will join the contest from Los Angeles.
They can raise awareness in other ways, without having to invite Jamala
JFC enough with this ‘Italy is one of the worst organizing countries’. Technical issues happen no matter the country. It’s the first day. Some people really need to chill the f out.
You are a renowned Italy hater. Get a life!
Well, Czech Republic is 10 times better and they will mop the floor with Italy this year, you will when they will win the contest.
Lights off!
you can say those things and call yourself a “fan”, We are domi don’t like fans like you, how does it feeling knowing your favs think low of you. cry
Yet again: la gente purtroppo parla, non sa di che ca**o parla.
The official Eurovision Handbook confirms Måneskin will be performing on stage in Turin. They’re literally in Italy right now.
You seriously need to get a life, man
You should get a life and stop bullying me! I literally feel so attacked right now, I can not believe!
I will be expecting some apologies when We are Domi will win!
Oh yeah, I can’t wait to apologize for giving you a useful suggestion for your life and future :)))
Wait, Maneskin won’t perform live from the arena? If that’s true I’m angry, without eurovision they wouldn’t be popular, smh