Volodymyr Zelenskyy
“Next year Ukraine will host the ESC”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is happy about his country’s ESC victory.
© imago/photothek
The Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra celebrates their ESC success. President Volodymyr Zelenskyj also commented on this on social media.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (44) celebrated Ukraine’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest on social media. He stated that the war-torn country will do its best to host next year’s final in the port city of Mariupol.
After the band Kalush Orchestra won the music competition on Saturday night, wrote the Ukrainian President in a post: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Next year the Ukraine will host the ESC!” He added: “We will do our best to one day welcome the participants and guests of the Eurovision Song Contest to Mariupol, Ukraine. Free, Peaceful, Rebuilt!” He also thanked the Kalush Orchestra and everyone “who voted for us”.
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The frontman of Kalush Orchestra, Oleh Psiuk (27), had previously used the audience of millions at the ESC to make a political statement on stage. He called on people to help Ukraine, Mariupol and the people of the Azov Steel Plant. According to media reports, the steelworks in the besieged city of Mariupol are still being bombed and fired upon by the Russian army.
Political statements are prohibited on the ESC stage. According to media reports, the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the competition, has said that no action will be taken against the band. The EBU said the comments were more humanitarian than political.
The ESC final on Saturday evening in Turin was themed “The Sound of Beauty”. This year’s German candidate Malik Harris (24) ended up in last place. With more than 460 additional audience points, Kalush Orchestra won in the end ahead of Great Britain with singer Sam Ryder (32) and Spain’s Chanel (31).