The Kalush Orchestra were selected as Ukraine’s entry for Eurovision 2022. Two days later, war broke out
he Ukrainian entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the finals of which will be held in Turin in Italy on May 14th, was chosen in the traditional way: a television show, selection by a panel of judges and a phone-in by the public – along with a dash of controversy. The winning singer withdrew after it became known that she had visited Crimea, which Russia annexed illegally in 2014 and is considered enemy territory.
Mikola Kycheriavyy, the band’s manager, joined the army. “When you read Ukrainian history, you realise you can’t stand by at a time like this,” he said. He was posted to defend the suburbs of Kyiv, though he had no military experience: “I had never held a gun before.” He soon realised that his time was better spent raising funds for his unit using Kalush’s social-media accounts.
The day after Ukraine was invaded, the European Broadcasting Union, which produces Eurovision, disinvited Russia. That left 40 nations in the contest. But since men aged between 18 and 60 were barred from leaving the country, it wasn’t clear that the Kalush Orchestra would be able to take part. Zhembeovskyi, the producer, explained that the band had rethought the staging and message of the song in light of the war. “The idea has grown and now we are thinking about a cosmic mother who gives life to every living thing and also about the idea of mother as a protector and guardian.”
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