Kalush Orchestra plans to perform at Eurovision in May.
For a month now, Ukraine has been fighting the Russian occupiers in a war of liberation. Despite the hostilities, the Kalush Orchestra group intends to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022». Ukrainian musicians will record their performance in a safe place, after which it will be sent to the organizers of the competition. It is also possible that they will be able to perform in person. The members of the team gave an interview to the Dutch broadcaster NOS and told how they live and prepare for the contest ;Eurovision». This is confirmed by large bookmakers: the chances of the song «Stefania» to take first place is estimated at 35%, which is significantly higher than number two — Italians Mahmood & Blanco.
The Kalush Orchestra song has gained even more popularity in recent weeks. In addition to Ukraine, she occupies high places in the charts of Poland, Lithuania, Moldova and other countries. Stefania has become a hit on TikTok, being added as a soundtrack to images of refugees, videos of explosions and fighting. «Everyone feels connected to the song», — said frontman Oleg Psyuk.
The participants themselves also joined the resistance to Russian aggression. Multi-instrumentalist Igor Didenchuk, who plays the flute and sings, weaves camouflage nets and prepares Molotov cocktails. The group also helps collect supplies and helps refugees with housing. One of the participants of Kalush MC Kilimmen, helps the defense of Kyiv.
«I am fighting on several front lines: the battle on the ground, on the one hand, and the cultural front line on the other. We support the country with our music», — he said.
«Eurovision 2022» will be held from 10 to 14 May in Turin. Even if the war in Ukraine is not over by then, the Kalush Orchestra are determined to attend the final. They will be less prepared because the members cannot rehearse together. So far, all their attention is focused on the war. «I wake up every morning with the fear that my wife is no longer alive», — says Psyuk.
«Stephania» — a song that Oleg Psyuk dedicated to his mother. After last year's «Noise» group Go_A, it will become the second completely Ukrainian-language song at the contest. According to the team, this is not a political message, but simply the use of the language Ukrainians want to speak.