Ukrainian Eurovision entrants speak out as they become bookies’ favourites
nme.comEurovision Song Contest.The rap group, who formed in 2019, replaced Ukraine’s original entrant Alina Pash, who withdrew from the competition in February.On February 12, Pash was announced as the winner of Vidbir, the nationally televised selection show that Ukraine uses to find its Eurovision entry, with her song ‘Тіні забутих предків’ (‘Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors’).Kalush Orchestra finished in second place with their track ‘Stefania’, which is an ode to powerful mothers.
They are now the favourites to win Eurovision overall, with their odds currently sitting at 19/3 (via Oddschecker).According to the BBC, the six members of the band were on tour in Ukraine when Russia invaded. “The day the war began, we were returning from the tour from the city of Dnipro,” rapper Oleh Psiuk said. “And we were close to the explosions in Boryspil.
We heard them ourselves.“One member of our band [then joined] the civil defence, defending Kyiv. I have created my own volunteer organisation.
We help people find shelter, medicines, transport. We just help people with whatever they need.”The band have been given special permission to visit Israel for a pre-Eurovision concert, as men of military age are banned from leaving the country.
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