How Eurovision will play out amid Ukraine war
Invaded nation’s act is favourite to win while Russia barred from taking part
Ukraine is being tipped to win this year’s Eurovision after giving its entrants special permission to leave the war-torn country to compete in the song contest.
The six members of folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra were “encouraged to travel” to the Italian city of Turin for the final on Saturday despite a specially introduced martial law that prevents men of military age from departing Ukraine, The Telegraph reported.
Morale booster
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ukraine is hoping for another Eurovision victory following two previous wins, in 2004 and 2016. This year’s song entry from the eastern European nation has what The Telegraph described as “terribly prescient” lyrics: “I’ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed.”
If Ukraine wins, next year’s contest would, in theory at least, be held in Kyiv.
“For our country it is so important to have victories in all ways,” Kalush Orchestra founder member Oleh Psiuk told the BBC. “So if we win, it will be another opportunity to show Ukraine to the world, to remind people about Ukraine, and to increase morale in the whole country.”
Meanwhile, Timur Miroshnychenko – the nation’s presenter for Eurovision – commentated on last night’s semi-final from a bomb shelter, noted Metro.
Untenable Russia
Meanwhile, Russia has been banned from entering this year’s contest because organisers felt the nation’s presence could bring the competition into “disrepute” following the country’s invasion of Ukraine and “sully” an event designed to promote European unity and cultural exchange.
The i news site noted that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – which organises the contest – has previously tried to keep politics out of the experience, which means its decision to “uninvite Russia” is “arguably the closest it has come to making a political stand”.
Paul Jordan, a British Eurovision expert and pundit who once worked behind the scenes at the contest, said that threats of mass boycotts had made the EBU realise Russia’s position was “untenable”.
The UK’s year?
As for the UK, it will be hoping to improve on recent form: it received a score of zero last year and has come last five times in the last 20 years.
However, this year things could be different because Sam Ryder, who’s been picked by the management agency behind Ellie Goulding and Lana Del Rey, is being hotly tipped for success with his entry song Space Man.
Before being chosen to take part in Eurovision, Ryder had made a name for himself on TikTok by sharing covers of hit songs – along with his own original music – during lockdown, noted The Independent.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mary Poppins tour: 'humdinger' of a show kicks off at Bristol Hippodrome
The Week Recommends Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers are 'true triple threats' as Mary and Bert in 'timeless' production
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Jaguar's stalled rebrand
In the spotlight Critics and car lovers are baffled by the luxury car company's 'complete reset'
By Abby Wilson Published
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Eurovision 2024: how is politics playing out in Sweden?
Today's big question World's most popular song contest 'has always been politically charged' but 'this year perhaps more so than ever'
By The Week UK Published
-
Eurovision stars weigh politics and principles as calls for boycott over Israel grow
Under The Radar One of the biggest artistic competitions on Earth finds itself in the middle of a widening debate about if — and how — to address the ongoing war in Gaza
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The celebrity winners of 2023
Why everyone's talking about Girl power's still got it as Taylor Swift, Barbie and Britney all come out on top
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Marvels flop: end game for superhero box office streak?
Why everyone's talking about The 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe earned just $47 million on its opening weekend, prompting claims of 'superhero fatigue'
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
Britney Spears: snippets of star's 'bombshell' memoir released
Why's everyone talking about 'Tell-all' book to share details of singer's life during her conservatorship and decades-long career
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is Eurovision finally cool?
feature Many British fans of Eurovision speak enthusiastically about its tolerance and openness
By The Week Staff Published
-
The most eccentric Eurovision performances of all time
In Depth From a turkey DJ to misfiring double entendres, the contest has never lacked for oddity
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Mae Muller: the UK’s ‘fresh-faced’ Eurovision contestant
Why Everyone’s Talking About The 25-year-old pop star has already toured with stars such as Little Mix
By Ellie Pink Published