After several days of the offer done by Ukrainian broadcaster, Suspilne, finally Kalush Orchestra has accepted to be its act at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The band was the runner up of the national final Vidbir 2022 with the song “Stefania”. The song, a tribute to the mother of one of the members, will be now the Ukrainian entry in Turin.
Oleg Psyuk, lead vocalist of Kalush Orchestra
“We are grateful to everyone who supported us during the national final and gave us first place in the public vote. We promise every Ukrainian that we will justify your choice. In difficult times for our country, we must reaffirm ourselves to the world. That is why we are ready to represent Ukraine with dignity to all of Europe.”
Founded in 2019 the band combines the hip-hop with the Ukrainian folk music. The name reffers to the born city of Oleh Psiuk, lead vocalist and founder.Other members are Ihor Didenchuk (Go_A, Ukraine 2021), MC Kilimmen, Tymofii Muzychuk and Vitalii Duzhyk.
Kalush Orchestra replaces to Alina Pash, winner of the Vibdbir 2022. After her victory in Vidbir was known that she traveled to Crimea in 2015, something that it breached the rules of the contest and the national laws. Her team gave to Suspilne a document to certify the crossing from the terrestrial borders, a document that the Ukrainian borders authorities didn’t recognize signed for them. The later investigation from Suspilne about that, the pressure and menaces received, were enough reasons for the withdrawal of Alina as Ukrainian representative.
