From Turin to Moscow, from Turin to Kiev, the world of music sends a message loud and clear saying “No to war and solidarity with Ukrainians who are experiencing an unimaginable tragedy”. Ukraine won Eurovision 2022. The Kalush Orchestra triumphed who, with the song "Stefania" climbed the rankings, reaching the top thanks to votes from all over the world.
At Eurovision 2022, solidarity won
Il voting mechanism of Eurovision (you can't vote for your country's representative) meant that they poured into Ukraine a shower of votes from every corner of the continent. In the end, the overall score says 631 votes, of which 439 conquered thanks to televoting which allowed the Kalushes to overcome Sam Ryder (United Kingdom), placing himself in first place. The Spanish Chanel is third with 459 points.
Mahmood and Blanco, who represented Italy with the song "Brividi", finished in sixth place.
It is the third time that Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest after the successes obtained in 2016 and 2004. But yesterday's victory certainly has a meaning that goes beyond the music and becomes a loud statement against what is happening . Peace was the leitmotif of the entire event, declined in various ways. From Mika and Pausini who dueted on Thursday Fragile by Sting e People Have the Power by Patti Smith at the Rockin' 1000 who opened the final on Saturday from Piazza San Carlo playing Give peace a chance by John Lennon.
And another symbolic decision also comes from Sony Music Entertainment, which has announced that the net proceeds from the song will be donated to a humanitarian association chosen by the band.
After the victory, Oleh Psyuk, frontman of the Band, said: “Thank you for supporting Ukraine: this victory is for all Ukrainians”. Words closely followed by the patriotic greeting "Slava Ukraini!", i.e. "Glory to Ukraine". During the press conference held at the end of the evening, Psyuk said: “What will we do when we return to Ukraine? We'll be back in two days, it's hard to say. But like every Ukrainian we are ready to fight in the war, until the end”.
"Please help Ukraine and Mariupol, help Azovstal, now”, he said at the end of the performance – welcomed by the ovation of the public -, also risking disqualification given that the regulation of the event does not accept political messages on stage. But the leaders of Eurovision, this time, have rightly decided to make an exception.
Ukraine wins Eurovision 2022: political comments
“Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe”. wrote the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on his social pages “Next year Ukraine will host the contest for the third time in history. We will do everything possible for Mariupol to be the host city,” Zelensky added.
“Tonight your song won our hearts. We celebrate your victory all over the world. The EU is with you”, wrote the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
“The hope is that next year's Eurovision can be hosted in Kiev in a free and united Ukraine,” added the president of the European Council Charles Michel, also quoting some lines from the winning song, Stefania: “I will always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed”.
“Long live the music! Long live Europe! Glory to Ukraine!”, commented the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrell.
