The first semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest took place on Tuesday evening (May 10). Ten candidates were able to qualify for the big final show on Saturday (May 14) in Turin, including the folk-rap band Kalush Orchestra, who entered the race from Ukraine, with their song “Stefania”.
Ukraine particularly wishes to win
According to “BBC”, according to polls, the Ukrainian group is currently the favorite. Upon announcing their success, the band reportedly jumped up with Ukrainian flags in their hands. A win would mean a lot to the three Kalush members, founder and singer of the band Oleh Psiuk told “BBC” before the semifinals. It would send a message of support to all the people of the country who have been forced to flee or continue to be besieged.
“It’s so important for our country to win in any respect,” said the musician. “So if we win, it’s another opportunity to show Ukraine to the world, remind people of Ukraine and boost morale across the country.”
Despite the good reasons others might have for wanting to support their homeland, the band emphasized: “Even before the war, we were in fifth place in the ratings, which means that this Ukrainian song is already popular with Europeans.” The positive feedback on their musical contribution is not only due to the solidarity of the neighboring countries.
“Stefania” as a rallying cry for Ukraine
“Stefania” was originally a homage to Psiuk’s mother, but the line “I will always walk to you by broken roads” is said to have been reinterpreted as a battle cry. In the finale, the band wanted to show everyone “that Ukrainian culture is alive”. Russia, meanwhile, has been banned from participating in this year’s competition.
ESC qualification: These ten candidates won the race
In addition to Ukraine, Switzerland, Armenia, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, Norway, Greece, Moldova and the Netherlands also qualified.
On Thursday (May 12) ten more artists will move into the final. France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and Italy automatically have the right to participate in the final show through their financial contribution.
With her ballad “Saudade, Saudade”, the Portuguese Maro honored her deceased grandfather and thus delighted the audience and jury. The Icelandic folk band Systur also made it into the final with a ballad. It’s called “Með Hækkandi Sól” and translated means something like “with the rising sun”. “We’re a small nation, we’re getting lost in Europe, so it means the world to us,” the group said of their semi-final success.
The Norwegian group Subwoolfer performed their song “Give That Wolf A Banana” – with yellow wolf masks that disguised the identity of the musicians. The Moldovan band Zdob și Zdub & Advahov Brothers also fought their way into the finals with the funk-punk track “Trenulețul”.
Germany sends Malik Harris to Turin with “Rockstars”, who, according to the current forecast, does not have a good chance of winning.
+++ This article first appeared on musikexpress.de +++