Tonight Ukraine chose its Eurovision 2023 representative. In a show hosted by Eurovision commentator Timur Miroshnychenko and song contest stars Zlata Ognevich and Kateryna Pavlenko, the country had to decide between ten very different acts. Only one could fly the yellow-blue in Liverpool — and that honour went to Tvorchi with “Heart of Steel“.
The song was inspired by the Ukrainians who defend Azovstal steel factory near Mariupol. Despite constant shelling, they endured and sent videos to Ukrainians, helping inspire a nation in these darkest of days.
Scroll down for the full results and live performance
Ukraine’s Vidbir 2023 showcased ten different acts that spanned a plethora of genres. The songs were selected by the show’s musical director Dmytro Shurov (Pianoboy).
Earlier Ukrainians chose the judging panel themselves in a public vote staged via the Diia app. The public chose Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, The Hardkiss’ lead singer Julia Sanina and pop star Taras Topolia. They decided 50% of the result. The public accounted for the other 50% — once again casting their votes through the Diia app. It allowed Ukrainians abroad to vote too. There wasn’t an SMS vote this year. Around 167,000 votes were counted.
Ukraine Eurovision 2023 – Tvorchi – “Heart of Steel”
Vidbir 2023 acts live performances
Moisei – “I’m not alone”
OY Sound System – “Oy, tuzhu”
Demchuk – “Alive”
Jerry Heil – “WHEN GOD SHUT THE DOOR”
Fiinka – “Dovbush”
Krutь – “Kolyskova”
Tember Blanche – “Ya vdoma”
Angelina – “Stronger”
2Tone – “Kvitka”
Vidbir 2023 results
Jury voting
1. Krutь — 10 points
2. Tvorchi — 9 points
3. Jerry Heil — 8 points
4. Demchuk — 7 points
5. FIINKA — 6 points
6. Oy Sound System — 5 points
7. 2Tone — 4 points
8. Angelina — 3 points
9. Tember Blance — 2 points
10. Moisei — 1 point
App voting results
1. Tvorchi — 10 points
2. Jerry Heil — 9 points
3. Krutь — 8 points
4. FIINKA — 7 points
5. Moisei — 6 points
6. 2Tone — 5 points
7. Demchuk — 4 points
8. Tember Blanche — 3 points
9. Oy Sound System — 2 points
10. Angelina — 1 point
Combined results
1. Tvorchi — 19 points
2. Krutь — 18 points
3. Jerry Heil — 17 points
4. FIINKA — 13 points
5. Demchuk — 11 points
6. 2Tone — 9 points
7. Moisei — 7 points
8. Oy Sound Sytem — 7 points
9. Tember Blanche — 5 points
10. Angelina — 4 points
How do you think Tvorchi will do at Eurovision? Did the right act win? Let us know in the comments down below!
?? “Don't be scared to say just what you think/ 'cause no matter how bad, someone's listening.”#Vidbir2023 finalists and #Eurovision hopefuls Tvorchi conveyed their message with war imagery, including nuclear warning signs and dancers in gas masks. pic.twitter.com/exE5Oa51zt
— William Lee Adams (@willyleeadams) December 17, 2022
I would be remiss not to commend Ukraine For putting on a fantastic show during hard times. I never would’ve guessed that it was staged in a bomb shelter under a metro because it looked so good.
After Fiinka they were my choice. I love it! Great stage performance, they killed it!
Great visuals, great voice, but the song needs a better chorus
Vidbir is still one of the highest quality NFs around. I think Heart of Steel is fine but don’t love it – it does feel a little generic to me and lacks impact in the chorus. Jerry Heil and especially Krut’ both are more my personal taste and I was blown away by both Krut’s visual performance and especially Jerry’s vocals – I didn’t think anyone could sing that song effectively live, but she was solid as a rock.
And we have our 2023 Eurovision winner
No
Of the three returning acts from Vidbir 2020 (who all finished top 3), Tvorchi was the act I least expected to win. I really thought it was going to be between Jerry Heil and Krut, but I didn’t see “Heart of Steel”‘s victory coming. To be fair, it actually was one of my top 3 Vidbir 2023 songs, just not the one I expected to win. For all of you grumbling about Heart of Steel winning, this isn’t the first time we’ve had an unexpected national final winner and I guarantee it won’t be the last. That said, I get… Read more »
Absolutely devastated the Krut didn’t win, far far better song, very emotional, would have looked amazing on the big stage given how fantastic Ukraine always do with staging.
My third favourite song won. Before the final, I was certain Jerry Heil would win, like 100% sure, I supported Krut? as well, but once I heard Krut? live, I was utterly in love with her, so emotional, so poignant, just made me cry, such na Witcher vibe. I was sure either Jerry or Krut? would win. I told my bf Tvorchi had a cool song too, perfect to be played in radio stations, but I told him they’d never win since their song is in English, and Ukraine would definitely want a song in Ukrainian this year, and clearly… Read more »
This was one of the 5 songs that I liked before the final, so I’m not even mad.
Fairly middle of the road song with some nice breaks in the beat. The performance makes it seem more than it actually is. But that usually works in Eurovision, bad songs with a good performance tend to do better than good songs with a bad performance.
I dont particularly like this song. It is too “generic” for me. But I Guess that doing the NF in a bunker might be a good element for another Ukranian Víctory.
I support Ukraine but this ding does nothing to me. They should have chosen a folk sing internally. I was rooting for their last year’s entry.
Maybe Ukrainians feel this is more representative of their country than a folk song? Do you know what the average Ukrainian listens to on a daily basis? My guess is, not a lot of folk music.
I am happy with the choice top 1 for me from their national selection. As much as I like their creativity to mix folk with modern music, it also becomes as a pattern every year.
Could I know how Jamala voted? Krut’ was the first for her as well?
The staging is cool, but the song is just good. Nothing special. It need a little revamp I guess.
but the song is just fine*
5/10. It’s alright, but somewhat boring.
The song itself is not the best that we’ve heard from Ukraine, but it’s certainly not terrible either and it’s well performed. And the staging is very well put together. But I was expecting that: Ukraine always pulls out all the stops when it comes to staging, and this looks very powerful and thoughtful.
ukraine is not winning again confirmed
are you sure?
A NF in a bomb shelter is a very dramatic reason for people to support Ukraine.
Lol, you forgot this is Ukraine we are talking about.
For me the obvious choice would be Jerry Heil. It’s winning material right there. Call me old-fashioned or conservative, but I don’t think that such a generic American or Swedish sounding song represents Ukraine well in this particular moment in time. But of course the Ukrainian people have voted, it’s there choice and this has to be respected
Who said they want to win again?
Did I say they should or want to win again?
I don’t think your opinion is conservative, but it is reductive to think that Ukrainians are limited to a specific type of music.
Of course they are not. I didn’t say that. But exactly because they are so musically diverse and rich, it strikes me as reductive to send such a generic song
So, when does the drama kick off?
Not a great start of the eurovision season… Sorry to say it. but I don’t like it
I have to admit I’m yet to hear any of the other Vidbir songs, but at least Heart of Steel it’s a better season opener than Bulgaria’s in ’22.
Still, it’s looking to me like it will be this year’s Miss You: decent if just-not-that-memorable song, good presentation, more likely to get lost in the shuffle than to win.
It’s too early to call, since it’s the only song we know for now, but as of this moment I don’t think Ukraine will get a repeat win in Liverpool.
I don’t assume that Ukraine will win again, or be in a shortlist to do so. It will get some points by the jury for how slick it is, and the televoters will give it more than they did Miss You, because it’s Ukraine and not Belgium (e.i. more diaspora). Overall scoring a good 16th-13th place, even if I’m just guessing blindly based on the previous voting patterns and achievements of songs with a similar style. Something that easily goes out of the window at ESC. In the end, this is just an early prediction without concrete other songs for… Read more »
Well, that is not very difficult, is it? 🙂
Comparing anything to Bulgaria 2022 is like comparing star to a campfire…
Ukraine 3,5/12 – really a big disappointment
Really good staging from Tvorchi, but one song in and I’m already annoyed about a result. When God Shut The Door was top 5 material. Krut had a great live performance and was probably top 10. But apart from the staging, Tvorchi have a forgettable electro infused R&B song with fairly weak vocals. Such a shame.
Another top 10 for UA! Kudos!
I’ll echo Milan: it’s a pity Tvorchi won’t be in Eurovision with “Bonfire” but with “Heart of Steel”. Their entry this time is fine, but I keep missing something on this track. On the other hand, the visual presentation was already great and I’m sure Ukraine will do a great use of the big stage, as they normally do. Not bad for the first entry of Eurovision 2023, but in my books it’s a big step back when compared to gems like “Shum” and “Stefania”.
their entry this time is not really fine – believe it or not.
… (war) staging beats a song or the music = bad way for every country.
lasse is still in rage modus but that is also my fault,because i like more all kinds of (good) music.
ukraine has lost their music identity and that is not my fault.
if ukraine win the ESC with that crap ESC is dead forever.
Yeah well, at least Ukraine isn’t going to win with this song, for what I can assure you.
Amen!
I hadn’t heard “Bonfire” before, but listened to it last night (on repeat!) and it made this year’s result more legible to me, if not any more just. They just seem much better at minimalist, oblique cool than at an anthem.
Ehehe you are salty here
Via Wikipedia:
1. Tvorchi – 54,041
2. Jerry Heil – 45,657
3. Krut? – 33,614
4. Fiinka -11,109
Everyone else was between 2,400 – 5,400
it seems,the fanclub from tvorchi ist very huge.
above i can read,that app voting was in the game – app?
i know here in germany a lot of 40+ people who never used an app for something – ukraine situation?
No, it was in government app “diia”. So, results are absolutely accurate
I´m one of them. I don´t need any apps in my life.
I don´t have a smartphone
It was a vote using an application with an electronic passport. In Ukraine, we have apps for everything
Im guessing the lyrics and the nuclear imagery is directed at Putin and his threats to use them, and the whole “don’t care what you say because nobody’s listening because I’ve got a heart of steel” is ukraines resolve and courage. Yeah it’s not bad, as a first song it’s hard to judge where it will finish when there’s nothing to compare it to, but yeah it’s a solid track I’m sure will do well. Don’t think Ukraine will win next year though unless of course you know, things escalate but as of now and with song alone, I’d say… Read more »
revamps sucks!
not a good argument.
Ukraine 2014
Israel 2021
Beg to differ
Not even arguing
Revamps are very hit and miss. Sometimes they actually do improve the song, but other times they make it worse. It’s a gamble
Didn’t follow the selection much, but I expect that this won’t make Ukraine pull a double win. They tend to hold back quite a bit after a winning entry (look at Greenjolly and O.Torvald) so yeah… it’s a solid song by itself, but also very… stale?
High quality act. Well done Ukraine!
are you serious?
Yes. It was the same this year. If another cobtry should send this song, everybody should hate it
Differently to everyone, I wasn’t a fan of krut and jerry too much and I really like Tvorchi! Well done.
At any rate, I’m seriously impressed by the show the Ukrainians put on.
I’m a little heartbroken because I loved Krut’ so much and a little surprised because the zeitgeist seemed to me to be more favorable to her or Jerry. Tvorchi just seems professional but generic even if the staging was pretty good.
I imagine that Jerry will be in contention again, probably in a year when she can send a song more favorable to her strengths. Fiinka too.
kruts masterpiece was maybe her creative peak – time will tell.
I think there’s also a decent possibility that her creative peak lies ahead but that it won’t be as pop-adjacent as ’99’ and ‘lullaby’
as i have written – time will tell but 2023 was maybe her best chance.
in 2020 (canceled) very good go_a was the wall and now the wall was WTF.
She also announced on Facebook, prior to the national final, that it’s the last time she’s competing.
Not surprising, really.
Amazing choice!! Also I’m impressed how good everyone sounded. What a strong year for the Ukrainian selection.
not choosing that arty magical masterpiece from krut? was one of the biggest ESC disappointments in years for me.
last year ukraine throwing away the magic with alina pash – this year something similar.
I am heartbroken. I love Kruts song so much…i got goosebumps watching it.
oh, I voted for Tvorchi, because I am tired of hearing complaints of a huge amount of eurofans about “pityvotes”, “politicvision”, “crying” and ets. I am a huge fan of eurovision and many Ukrainians actually are too. And it really hurt to read such things after Kalush and Jamala won. So, please, I hope, no hate anymore. But, I can already see it. More interesting, if Jerry or KRUT was chosen, i am sure, nothing would changed and people were unsatisfied again…
There will always be some people to be disappointed. Although, I think eurovision fans would have been more satisfied with a victory from Jerry Heil or KRUTb. For me it shows that fans still care about Ukraine in this contest because they know the country is a powerhouse. It’s normal that we obly hope the best for our beloved Eurovision.
got bored before the 2nd minute
Too bad “Bonfire” didn’t get to Eurovision. This song is not half as good… “Bonfire” would have been a strong contender (war or no war).
The fact that many people are 1). really angry or 2). only happy about this because they don’t want to see Ukraine winning speaks volumes about Eurofans.
i take option 1.
And i’m blessed with being absolutely happy with the results*-*
Tvorchi was one of my least favorite songs. Not sure what Ukrainians saw in that song. I know it’s going to fall low on my list.
one of the worst song in the Ukraine final
2023 is already up to a bad start.
https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/02/25/vidbir-2020-jury-denies-tvorchis-fix-claims-ukraine/250504/
Don’t like them.
You don’t have to. Certainly don’t have to have to be as nasty as some Eurofans have gotten online.
Lol at all the negativity here from the ESC gays (I am ESC fan and gay too btw). Tvorchi is a quality act, regardless of what you say. They won the public vote so stop whining and start accepting the choice of the Ukrainians.
Boring generic trash.
Ummm how do you know everyone’s gay?
Most of us are into men here 😀
And how exactly do you know that?
Its good, but its not going to win.
Surprise results are the rollercoaster that makes the National Selection season exciting. There are clearly many quality songs in each national selection and I’ve found that surprise results (when you have an open mind) allow you to explore even more music and appreciate quality and appeal in songs that may be different than your personal taste. Or, often the case, you may in fact enjoy the winning song but have created a narrative in your mind that your favourite must win or else everything is a disaster. Many favourites at Eurovision have not been the immediate clear favourite in their… Read more »
i’d say the song is just okay, nothing groundbreaking. odd decision from ukrainians to send a song that could be from anywhere considering how proud they are of their culture.
TVORCHI’s performance was the only one that referenced the war in its staging. It had dancers in gas masks, visuals of kids wearing gas masks and the nuclear test sign splattered throughout the LEDs.
I guess Ukrainians felt that was more important than the actual song.
It was the least war themed song out of the top three though?? If they had chosen Jerry or Krut’ you’d probably have said they chose it for the political lyrics…
Proud of the culture means wanting to be represented by the song you like the best, and it doesn’t have to mean showing off your folklore. There’s more to Ukrainian culture than traditional sounds, Ukrainian voters always get behind ethnic stuff when they *like it* and if it’s done well and with sincerity like with Jamala, Go_A or Kalush, but average voters don’t like songs just for being folksy Ukrainian
Proud can also mean wanting to be represented by the song with best quality. Ukrainian viewers appreciate well-made ethno like Go_A, Jamala or Kalush, but, apparently, for many Ukrainians, tonight’s folk inspired stuff wasn’t cutting it
Sorry, my dumb *** thought it didn’t post the first time and I posted the same thing twice. Why can’t we remove comments, eh
TVORCHI is not bad but I think KRUTb and Jerry Heil would have been better choices, by far.
Wasn’t my favourite going in but I have to admit the staging was the best of the night. Happy for them and hope they do well at Eurovision
I am amazed by the complaining that goes on in these comments. Those of you who are worried about Ukraine winning again or not winning again need to get a life. It’s a TV show song contest, nothing else. Sit back and, seriously, RELAX (and stop b!tching)
Dude stfu who are you to tell people that they can’t have an opinion.
Regardless of whether you had a favourite or not, it’s pretty nice when the Top 3 songs were Top 3 in both jury and audience voting. The winner was 2nd with jury and 1st with audience at home. And other favourites got respect from both the jury and audience as well. I wasn’t sure what song would win but it’s nice to get a pleasant surprise here and again to show you that there’s always more than one good song in a selection. As major fans we often build up one song and tear down another, but it’s in moments… Read more »