The victory at the Eurovision Song Contest could perhaps have seemed obvious and announced (for days the bookmakers had considered them winners), the emotional (and political) impact that the Ukrainian group Kalush managed to impose with its presence was less obvious. .
They won the European competition (with the song Stefania), pushed to the top by televoting, but above all they succeeded in the most delicate intent: to keep attention on the dramatic situation they are experiencing and to make the voice of Ukraine heard (only in Italy the final was seen by 6.6 million people).
ANSA.it
Cyber attacks foiled at the Eurovision Song Contest - Chronicle
Coming from abroad, thwarted by the police (ANSA)
This is also why they decided to risk elimination when at the end of the exhibition they launched an appeal to help Mariupol and the Azovstal steel mill (then considered by the organization not a political message - not allowed by the regulations - but humanitarian).
"Disqualification was a price that I would not hesitate to pay to get my message across," Kalush singer and leader Oleh Psjuk said late at night. Our people are stuck in the steel mill and can't get out. . We need to free those people and to do so we need to circulate information, to put pressure on politicians ".
President Zelensky himself had sensed the media and emotional potential of the country's participation in the ESC,
enough to intervene directly in support of the group just before the final and to rejoice immediately afterwards.
"Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe - he wrote in his posts -. Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision for the third time in history and we will do everything possible to make Mariupol the city. host ".
They, the Kalushes, have not yet had the opportunity to speak with the president ("as you know he is engaged in much more important things"), nor with their families, while they are already on their way back home.
"Hard to say what will happen now.
To be in Turin we had a temporary permit until tomorrow.
And like every Ukrainian we are ready to fight, as we can and for as long as we can ", because the success has a bitter aftertaste for the band, despite the many certificates of esteem and congratulations from all over the world. The European leaders, in particular , they sent their messages via social networks, in a newfound union of intent. "Tonight your song won our hearts.
We celebrate your victory around the world.
The EU is with you ", wrote the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
"The hope is that next year's Eurovision can be hosted in Kiev in a free and united Ukraine", adds the President of the European Council Charles Michel, also citing some lines of the winning song, 'Stefania': "I will always find the way home, even if all roads are destroyed ".
A congratulatory message was also signed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell: "Long live the music! Long live Europe! Glory to Ukraine!".
The Kalush Orchestra also released the video of 'Stefania' (net proceeds of which will be donated by Sony Music Entertainment to a humanitarian association chosen by the band), shot in Borodyanka, Irpin, Bucha and Gostomel, the Ukrainian cities battered by occupation of the Russian forces.
In honor of the group, the Kyiv-Ivano-Frankivsk train will be called 'Stefania Express', as reported by UNIAN citing the head of the country's railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Kamyshyn, with the stations that will greet the train with the song 'Stefania' ".
Now it remains to be seen whether the 2022 edition of Eurovision can actually be held in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Italy (only sixth Mahmood and Blanco) with Rai makes itself available: "If a collective call should take place, Rai will make available its know-how and the great experience it has shown in this edition", he said the director of Rai 1 Stefano Coletta.