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“We understand the strong feelings”: those responsible for the ESC about the performance of the Kalush Orchestra
Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP
At the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, the musicians from Ukraine made a clear political statement at the end of their performance.
"I ask all of you: Please help Ukraine, Mariupol, help Asov stal - right now," said singer Oleh Psjuk (I ask you all: Please help Ukraine, Mariupol and the people of the Azov steelworks - now).
The steelworks in Mariupol is currently under Russian fire.
While the audience loudly expressed solidarity with the message from the musicians of the Kalush Orchestra, the ESC moderators reacted in amazement and with a serious expression.
Because: According to the rules, "texts, speeches and gestures of a political nature" are prohibited on the ESC stage.
However, the organizers expressed understanding.
"We understand the strong feelings when it comes to Ukraine these days and consider the statements made by the Kalush Orchestra and other artists in support of the Ukrainian people more as a humanitarian gesture than as political," a spokesman for the European Broadcasting Union EBU told dpa -Inquiry.
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sak/dpa
