Ruslana, the winner of Eurovision 2004, has been awarded the prestigious United States Secretary of State’s Women of Courage award by US First Lady Michelle Obama. The award recognizes Ruslana’s efforts for a more democratic government in Ukraine.
“It’s very important to be … a voice of my country,” she said as she accepted the award yesterday.
In recent months Ruslana has exposed herself to great risk as a leading voice among Ukrainian protestors. She has transcended pop music to become a national heroine, and a symbol of hope for Ukrainians without a voice.
“I think of myself as a volunteer … showing people that we need to be [on Independence Square] because there is no other way,” she said in December. “Europe must be our future.”
In honor of her achievements, let’s relive “Wild Dances”.
Related Links
Ruslana serenades protestors in Kyiv (Washington Post)
Why did Michelle Obama give a Ukrainian pop star the Women of Courage Award? (Washington Post)
@Charles: He only made one error…
More democratic? Really? Those fascistic scum who overthrew real government.. who now intimidate mp’s forcing them to adopt lame lows? This is just wrong.. on many levels. Sick fkn liars.
@Dhani: You speak French? Or is it Google translator doing all the work for you as you wild dance in your bedroom filled with Helena posters like a girl surrounded by 1D or Bieber crap?
Are you kidding me?!?!?
Kudos to Ruslana. Very well deserved!
A well deserved award. Not every celebrity puts herself on the front line on protests as consistently as Ruslana did… better said, most of them don’t.
*@Dar
@D
Well Obama is not a dictator, and even if he was leaders like Putin, Kim-Jong Un, and Lukashenko are way worse.
@ D, it’s one thing being a dictator to your own country but being a dictator to every other country like Obama is another
@Dar
Lol, you probably have no idea what a dictator is then.
Receiving an award from the wife of the worlds no1 dictator
J’aime vraiment la chanson de Ruslana de l’année deux mille quatre. La chanson est pleine d’énergie et mérité de gagner.
@Charles i think this is the first time ever you have written a comment which isn’t 3 pages long!!!!
Yep, while the common people in Ukraine, who really don’t care whether their country will side with Europe or Russia, are suffering.
Everybody may love Ruslana for her Eurovision victory … but if anyone deserved any award is the Ukrainian people suffering and struggling for their country every day … not Ruslana … I’m sorry.
She is a busy woman ..