They delivered one of the TV moments of the year, winning Eurovision and giving their fellow Ukrainians a moment of joy and hope. And while Kalush Orchestra would have loved for Ukraine to host Eurovision 2023, they say they are “grateful” the United Kingdom will host on their behalf.
Speaking to the Press Association, lead singer Oleh Psiuk said: “Of course, we are very sad that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be held in Ukraine next year.”
“But we are grateful to the UK for their solidarity and for agreeing to hold the event in support of our country. We hope Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flavour and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture.”
“We, in turn, will make all efforts to help Ukraine win next year as well, so that Eurovision 2024 can take place in a peaceful country.”
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The BBC’s chief content officer has already made it clear that the show will honour Ukraine. In an e-mail sent to BBC staff members, Charlotte Moore said:
“We will work closely with our colleagues at the Ukrainian broadcaster, UA:PBC and will showcase Ukrainian culture and music as a key part of the event.”
Kalush Orchestra have made the most of their Eurovision win, using their new-found fame to raise awareness about the war at home. Their upcoming North American tour will raise funds to support their country. They kick things off in Seattle, Washington on October 20 and will conclude with two concerts in Montreal and Toronto in Canada on the 5th and 6th of November.
Earlier this summer Oleh staged an auction for his iconic pink bucket hat, raising nearly 350,000 euros.
Their Eurovision trophy sold at auction for around $900,000.
The money raised went towards buying three PD-2 drone systems for the Ukrainian Army.
The “unmanned aerial system” can be deployed “for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, artillery fire spotting and correction, and general support missions.”
Are you excited that the show will have Ukrainian flair? How do you want that represented? Let us know in the comments box below!
I hope the UK will be a bit more organized because the Italian hosting, although better than expected, was still miles behind the regular Swedish hosting or the Dutch, or the Portuguese, or literally anyone from 2015 and onwards. Fingers crossed for the ESC 2023 to be less political and more about the music too.
What the hell happened to wiwibloggs lately? Are these Russian bots or are these people delusional?
If you are that upset because Ukraine won you should not watch Eurovision anymore… How can you be upset for Europe supporting an invaded country? I think it’s amazing and just shows the true spirit of Eurovision.
Crazy people or Russian creeps ?
I love how Italy sending an amazing song the year after they won was viewed with such positivity, yet Ukraine saying they would do the same is so triggering to so many…
If they send the best song and the viewers vote for them, then they have every right to win. To claim otherwise is YOU bringing politics into the contest not the Ukrainians, especially if they send a non-political song…
I agree. Seeing a lot really hateful and stupid Russian supporters here lately. Very disturbing.
Maybe because Italy never said they want to win again?
But it was the fans actively supporting it? It’s a competition, the only thing that usually stops a country from actively striving to win is hosting it after winning which is expensive af. Ukraine don’t have this issue, so they’re going to try and win again, just as every other nation
And yet it is Ukraine which sent two winning songs with a strong political taste in the past ten years.
That’s horsecrap, there was not a single political lyric in Stefania and if people thought 1944 was too political a song they wouldn’t have voted for it. She won because of the emotional content of the song, not the political
Under every Ukraine post: WHAAAA POLITICS WHAAAAAAAA CHANEL NO WIN WHAAAAAA
Good lord, get a life Eurofans. You’re the only ones that care about the “political” nature. Stefania was awesome.
Awesome? How long have you been deaf? It’s awful.
I respect Ukraine’s passion for Eurovision even there is much bigger things to worry about but to prevent a purely political win every year they should make them automatical qualifiers (big 6). We have seen that it can eat the boost you can get from semi-finals. So if they send a bad song, it is more likely to not be overrated but if they send the best song like Italy in 2021, the win is fairly theirs!
Big 5 are the countries that contribute the most money to the contest. Why would Ukraine join the group? Nonsense.
You can Hope all you want
Let’s be clear, I support Ukraine and for the sake of all Europe they must win this war. But going to a song contest and expecting everybody to step aside because you need support-votes is not the right thing, and will backfire. Leave alone competitions out of respect for the other participants. If ESC is just a silly event, then leave it alone, you can’t disrespect other participants work, so you can have a platform anywhere you want. And the “set your priority straight, war is more important than ESC”, then let’s cancel ESC altogether, until will be no war… Read more »
Please, mention one single comment saying “set your priority straight, war is more important than ESC”. Seriosuly, I only need one name…
I, on the other hand, can find countless of hateful and misleading comments about Ukraine. Yours is one of them.
Ukraine did not win the public vote by a landslide because Europeans support the country. Ukraine won the contest because the song is emotional, being grounded in a context of oppression, suffering and injustice. And the song is musically catchy. Is it that difficult to understand? Why do you need to spread negativity?
Wow lol did literally no one share them the official Eurovision press release? They literally are adding Ukrainian elements into the show
Off topic.
This girl could be a contestant in BenidormFest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_3JlfdYx9M
What do you think??
She is singing in catalan. Personally I find it very catchy!
Ig I’m the only one that thinks that there’s no way that Ukraine will win again next year (Or even until the war ends). This year a Ukrainian win was symbolic (+their song would’ve been top 5 anyways) but if Ukraine wins again in 2023 just because of the war it could ve a disaster for the contest (A lot of countries and fans could boycott it) and the EBU don’t want its contest to be in such situation. Even if Ukraine has the best song next year the EBU will make sure that they won’t win next year especially… Read more »
People, get over yourselves and ESC. There is a f***ing war going on, and you come here and complain that you cannot have YOUR contest the way YOU want it. Really? This is the most important thing right now? Just be supportive of Ukraine stopping Russia, risking their lives to do so. I know I am. Otherwise, Europe as a whole is next. Because if Trump wins again, say goodbye to the US from NATO. Europe will be on its own.
Out of respect for the contest, Ukraine should pull out of competing in Eurovision 2023. Sure, let them send an act that will be shown in the grand final, but they should stay out of actually competing.
“respect for the contest” – I have no idea what that means. What IF Ukraine does send the best song? Then what?
You’re getting downvotes because you’re right and people don’t like hearing truth.
People got so negatively obsessed with Ukraine after their win ths year forgetting that they’re one of the biggest powerhouses of the contest
If the song Ukraine sends is exemplary like Shum or 1944, I will have less of a problem about them winning than I did when Stefania won. BBC has made it clear they will work with UA:PBC to highlight both countries, plus Ukraine automatically qualifies.
I reckon we will have the same situation in 2023 – Ukraine wins whatever they send.
Damn, I want the Eurovision back when everyone has the same chances of winning.
It´s was not the case this year, it wont be the case in 2023. Excitement level = 0.
Well well, in 2024 perhaps…
Ok… I get the whole making it Ukrainian thing but these guys had the nerve to say they want Ukraine to win again! Come on Ukraine we already let you win Eurovision out of mostly pitty one year !!
Isn’t that the point of the ESC? To want to win?
To want to win, yes, but for the right suitable reasons. And that is not what these guys have in mind due to their damaged pride for not welcoming the contest as if the contest was a way to intimidate Putin. Now they will certaintly win the televote next year not due to sympathy again but because of the number of Ukranians living now in Europe due to the war, regardless chosen entry. It would be wise for Ukraine to withdraw the contest while the conflict still goes on and get their s*** with Russia together. But they (like Russia)… Read more »
If countries like Armenia Lithuania and Poland never won the televoting despite having big diasporas outside their countries so no way that Ukraine will win the televoting just because of it
Will they fight in Ukraine or just focus on how to win Eurovision which brings nothing to Ukraine? They should be more humble.
Looks like lots of Russian trolls on this article. I guess when you have nothing left to live for, come here and complain. LOL
Not wanting Ukraine to win again out of pity doesn’t make me a R*ssian troll. You’re not obliged to comment.
But watching the negative obsession with Ukraine here just because Kalush said they want Ukraine to win again says otherwise, you wouldn’t have been like that if it was other country
Didn’t they say that they will fight at the front war in Ukraine back again when whole Eurovision 2022 is finished? Now they tour all around the world, while people still suffer in Ukraine. Isn’t that kind of 2faced?
So it’s UK for 2023.
What about 2024? Ukraine will still be financially destroyed and she won’t be able to host once again. Should we let Sweden host ESC 2024?
They won’t win again, people are getting sick of this story and the inflated rates of gas will make people angry this year.
These comments be wild
Will this become “a pitiful ukraine song contest”? Can we have our Eurovision song contest back, pleaseeeeee? Thank you.
Love to Ukraine! Death to russia!
You sre sick. Truly sick!
Please ban this person for hate and xenofobia
I can hate Russia all I want. If you don’t, then you are just a supporter of terrorism.
Wars annihilate cultures; of course Ukrainians wish for their reality to win and be positively portrayed in the mass media. Ukraine being popular in western media means more humanitarian aid, more support against Russia, and simply more empathy towards the struggling population. They feel less lonely. Why would people be trigged by artists advocating for their motherland in times of need.
Set your priority straight: appreciate different cultures, enjoy Eurovision and the road to the contest and when the time comes, vote for the song that moves you the most…
It’s a song contest, SONG, and 40 countries prepare to bring songs. Armenia, Georgia never won, and they had drama too. Why should 40 countries even participate if it’s a masquerade?
I was referring to the countless comments accusing Kalush Orchestra of seeking sympathy.
Replying to your comment: how exactly do you judge a song? Every person has its own parameters, and emotions are what drive choices. If a voter is moved by the social context that originated a song, why does it bother you? People are simply insensitive and almost seem to enjoy dehumanising Ukraine in the comments.
The comparison you made with Georgia and Armenia (which have not won despite wars) just proves that the Ukrainian winners are musically well produced, besides delivering important messages.
Z and wife in Vogue. High fashion realness. Is not tasteful to use ANY platform.
I hope not.
Can we please have our song contest back? Thank you.
They literally hosted 5 years ago and got to showcase their culture then, if they’re not the ones footing the bill maybe let someone else have the spotlight this year?
No. No. No. And no. The logo, the concept, the show, the interval… everything having “an Ukrainian feel!!!” Come on, we’re having the UK hosting Eurovision after 25 years! Why can’t we enjoy it with that British taste in the 2023 edition?
1974 and 1998 were as British as it can get.
Because you didnt win
I agreee 100%
We should because the UK pays for it, not Ukraine. So it should be both cultures.
Because the UK didn’t win and the BBC is just hosting on behalf of UA:PBC since Kyiv is being bom*ed…
Y’all are so obsessed with the UK that you are even offended about cultural diversity being represented on stage (which is the point of the contest)
Salvador did actually. He got 378 while Kalush got 439. That’s only 61 points difference.
Ukraine literally kidnapped the Eurovision…
Exactly. Im sick of this. I would like that all Balkan countrues IGNORE this edition of ESC if it will be ukrainized.
Nope, it was symbolic this year but Ukraine will not do well next year (see ESC 2017).
They’re aware they won bc of Europe’s sympathy (I’m not mad, I came to terms with that), but what’s infuriating is that they have the nerve to say they want another win. Oh, gosh I want the war to be over so this drama is over!
It’s not fair for the rest of the countries that take part of the contest
The rest of the countries taking part are the ones voting for Ukraine out of solidarity. Only childish people like you have a problem with it.
Totally agree!!!
Dont worry. People will feel a war fatigue the longer the war lasts. Just look at the Bosnian war. By its third year People did not care about it
You’re right, that’s one of the reasons I want the war to end asap. On the other hand, I don’t want Ukraine to be ultimately absorbed by r*ssia and fall into oblivion either 🙁
they are not honest about it. the lead singer said that Ukraine was a favourite to win before the invasion which is not entirely true.
You’re right, even if Ukraine’s act does half as well as Kalush in the televote next year they still have a huge chance of winning.
If BBC are paying for it and hosting it then it only is fair it should be a British show too.
It should not turn into a tribute show to Ukraine with nothing British in it..
Considering it’s an EBU-organized production, every full member taking part has a role in making the best show possible.
Yes but BBC are paying for it and hosting it. It would not be fair if it it turns into one night for Ukraine
Hey, BBC agreed to host it with the terms that will be co=produced with the Ukrainian broadcaster. BBC has explicitly said that it will showcase the Ukrainian culture.
Yes showcasting Ukraine is alright but it should not ignore the British factor either. It definitely should not be only about Ukraine 100%.
Co producing means both parties should get something, not just one side
I hope BBC is sane enough to make it British.
I hope UK wins in 2024 and makes a full British show in 2024
I mean they did win, they should be the main ones next year…
Yes but they are not hosting are they?
BBC and British taxpayers are paying for it. Therefore it is only fair the party should be theirs too
Heck, if the song is as good as Stefania, they can win every year as far as I’m concerned. People will hate me for saying that, but I stand by it. If we get another result next year like this year, I’ll probably be the one person not complaining.
Hopefully not
Norway, Finland and Cyprus should be on your list too imo.
Switzerland too!
Finland and Cyprus, yes. Norway, I disagree.
Ukraine will win in 2023. I’m calling it.
People get angry because they know it’s true
“We will work closely with our colleagues at the Ukrainian broadcaster, UA:PBC and will showcase Ukrainian culture and music as a key part of the event” – What more do you want? Jesus.
This is just diplomatic back and forth, no need to be salty Henno.
As more as it can be.
Sure you want. It’s a matter of banal patriotic pride by now.
Ukraine could win again for sure if, unfortunately, the war lasts enough and keeps popping on the news. For some reason, people at home think they help Ukraine in some way by voting for them in a music contest. This time they could better donate that money.
I think that the juries are going to rank Ukraine very low next year from fears about another massive televoting because of the situation + I don’t think the EBU will let them win again until the war is over
They don’t have balls to do it. They would win from 20st place or something last year. They’re guaranteed finalists already
Even if the juries rank them low they still can win. This year only 36 points from the juries would have been enough to win.
I wonder who will be the next ukrainian representative and how they will select it. Maybe Kalush Orchestra will represent Ukraine again….if they have one the best song and performance of the night like this year I’m ok for a double win but if they haven’t and they win again I won’t be ok.
I bet a lot of money they will send a political song and EBU will try to make them change lyrics/staging.
Probably….the war is their daily life, it’s legitimate from them to want to talk about it and to want to share this to the world. But I don’t think Eurovision is the best platform for that.
Why not though? It’s the biggest show in Europe. If they can’t speak about it there then where can they.
i really don’t see why people are getting upset over ukrainians wanting to win again. part of competing in any contest is having a desire to do well or win. given that ukraine consistently sends the best acts & package, i would not be upset to see them win again and i encourage them to go for it. of course it would be nice to see another country take the trophy but if it’s a ukrainian performer who ends up winning, it would be just as fair as if any other country won and i would hope that the esc… Read more »
I think it has to do more with the reasons underlying they will to win again and how they won last time.
If anyone has the will to win a song contest then it should even be encouraged.
Whoever has the best song should win, period. Participation points from previous contests don’t matter.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Ukraine won again next year!
They always send amazing songs and I’m sure plenty of Ukrainian artists have stories to tell through music, and Eurovision is the perfect place to showcase that. I’m sure Ukraine will have an internal selection for obvious reasons though. Rooting for Kazka, Monatik or Alyona Alyona!
They shamelessly bragging about their political/sympathy win, and have the nerve to want another one! TF.
(And hold your horses I’m not hateful toward Ukraine nor Ukrainians, but their statement was infuriating)
they not only want one sympathy victory, they want another one. I am calling it now, they will send an entry full of political messages and there will be drama again.
They sure will send an entry full of political messages, but I doubt there will be drama about it. The only drama will come from eurofans.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ukraine took the win in 2023. All they need is a good song without blatantly throwing political messages in our faces and they’ll more than likely win again.
“Stefania” was selected before the war began and was written without any political agenda in mind other than honoring the singer’s mother.
The song that actually won Vidbir this year before it was later DQ’d would have had more of a case because it is pretty much patriotic in tone and unintentionally more on the nose in potentially garnering whatever sympathy votes ot may have gotten from viewers.
Still they shot a new music video of Stefania full of images of War. As if the song had a political message.
Because they weren’t able to film one before the war started. They actually had a pre-Vidbir promotional video of “Stefania” which featured them performongn in the middle of a crowded roller skating rink.
Obviously, the song took on a new meaning when the invasion began and that was after the fact itself for which Kalush has no control over.
If next year Ukraine wins again because of the war I’m seriously not gonna watch this contest anymore
If Ukraine wins again, expect withdrawals!
Ngl, I’m expecting them for 2023 too
Stop trying to win to make political statements . This not only applies to Ukraine but to many others
I am always in favor of Ukraine and their win in the contest but that sentence on winning again so the contest can take place in Ukraine seriously made me furious. A song contest wont solve your issues, nor its a pr opportunity for political reasons. I am sure BBC will do a great job on adding Ukrainian elements and getting across a message for peace and THATS IT.
EBU needs to abolish its double standards and set boundaries. Certain countries act like they own Eurovision and use it for to promote their agendas and they act like they don’t see an issue.
Well EBU did nothing when Ukraine did not let Maruv enter Eurovision and Jamala asked her infamous uncomfortable question. EBU did also nothing when Alina won Ukrainian NF and had to withdraw afterwards.
So, they should have said that they want Ukraine to lose in 2023 instead? Like…what? Måneskin and Duncan Lawrence both wished their countries to win again, and Italy and the Netherlands had the chance to host unlike Ukraine. It’s called patriotism, and you weren’t triggered when other artists were doing it.
Spare the usual “I am in favor of ****” to validate your bitter and xenophobic opinions.