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Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra celebrates after winning the Eurovision Song Contest
Photo:
Jens Büttner / dpa
In Ukraine, the victory of the band Kalusha Orchestra at the Eurovision Song Contest was greeted with euphoria.
»This is our common victory for our Ukraine.
This is a victory in memory of everyone who perished," said the moderator of public television, Timur Miroshnychenko, on Sunday night, referring to Russia's war of aggression against the country.
"We're winning on the musical front and..." the presenter said, then his voice cracked and he cried.
The fact that Ukraine won the competition was not only predicted, but also caused a lot of approval on social networks.
At the same time, Twitter repeatedly drew attention to the reality of life the band members had to return to after winning the competition: to war.
"Our courage impresses the world, our music is conquering Europe!" President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the Telegram news channel.
He also referred to the band's call to save the besieged port city of Mariupol.
»We are doing everything so that one day the Ukrainian Mariupol will welcome the participants and guests of Eurovision.
A free, peaceful, rebuilt one!” Zelenskyy wrote.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana also congratulated the winner of the competition.
The ESC has shown immense public support across Europe and Australia for Ukraine's courage, said the Romanian on Sunday on the sidelines of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Berlin.
"Of course the song was and is wonderful too," he added.
He was surprised by the courage of the Ukrainians and the unity of the West.
"We are united, we are strong, we will continue to help Ukraine win this war."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also praised the Ukrainian contribution.
For him, the fact that Ukraine won was not just a tribute to the talent, but also a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian struggle for freedom.
There was joyful amazement on Saturday evening, especially in Great Britain.
Apparently his compatriots could hardly believe that the British singer Sam Ryder did so well.
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