Photo: BBC
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine will contend in the final round of the Eurovision Song Contest, tying down their place as top picks to catch a triumph in the competition.
Kalush, a hip-hop band that mixes ethnic themes with modern tunes, rose cheerfully, parading the Ukrainian banner while it was declared they had come to the second semi-final. But, before that, they played out their tune, Stefania.
“Thank you for supporting Ukraine,” stated Oleh Psiuk, a founding member, after finishing their performance.
The Pala Alpitour audience gave them blasting applause with genuine tears. The band got overwhelming help after Russia assaulted Ukraine in February.
Psiuk told the BBC that success would pass a strong message of help to the country’s blockaded residents and the 12 million people who have gotten away from the country.
“For our country, it is so important to have victories in all ways,” he stated. “So, if we win, it will be another opportunity to show Ukraine to the world, to remind people about Ukraine, and to increase morale in the whole country.”
Nonetheless, the band rushes to emphasize that their accomplishment isn’t simply a movement of fortitude.
“Even before the war, we’re in fifth position according to bookmakers,” they stated in a press conference the previous week, “which means this Ukrainian song is already enjoyed by Europeans.”
Stefania, a melody by the band, was made in honor of Psiuk’s mom, but profound verses, for example, “I will always walk to you by broken roads,” have been assumed as a revitalizing cry.
Psiuk, talking after the semi-final, offered his thanks to every individual who cast a ballot and expressed that Kalush Orchestra was “totally focused” on the final “because we are here to show that Ukrainian culture is alive.”
Then again, Russia has been denied from joining the current year’s competition. Coordinators say the country’s contribution could “bring competition into disrepute.”
The semi-final on Tuesday empowered 10 acts to continue to the finals on Saturday. They were (in no specific order):
Switzerland – Marius Bear: Boys Do Cry
Armenia – Rosa Linn: Snap
Iceland – Systur: Með hækkandi sól
Lithuania – Monika Liu: Sentimental
Portugal – Maro: Saudade, Saudade
Norway – Subwoolfer: Give That Wolf A Banana
Greece – Amanda Tenfjord: Die Together
Ukraine – Kalush Orchestra: Stefania
Moldova – Zdob și Zdub and Advahov Brothers: Trenulețul
Netherlands – S10: De Diepte
Consequently, popular tunes like Latvia’s “vegetarian anthem” Eat Your Salad and Austria’s EDM banger Halo didn’t come to the rundown. Albania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Denmark were among the nations dispensed from the challenge on Tuesday.
Another ten acts will qualify for the main contest after the second semi-final on Tuesday. The “Big Five” countries – France, Germany, Spain, the UK, and Italy – who monetarily helped make the competition a reality are automatically qualified to join the round.
The first semi-final began with a set-piece routine show called The Sound of Beauty which coordinated components of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma, and last year’s victor tune Zitti E Buoni, by Italian band Maneskin.
