Ukraine, led by the Kalush Orchestra, wins Eurovision 2022: it obtained more than 400 points in the popular vote

A Ukrainian band among the favorites in Eurovision 1:04

(CNN Spanish) –-

Anything can happen in Eurovision.

Ukraine is the winner of the 2022 edition of the most followed song festival in Europe.

Performing the song "Stefania", the Kalush Orchestra surpassed the other 24 qualified countries in the grand final with a total of 631 points.

They reached the first position thanks to the popular vote, where they obtained more than 400 points and unseated the United Kingdom, which for much of the gala was leading the table.

This is the third time Ukraine has won the song contest.

"Stefania", according to the Kalush Orchestra profile on the Eurovision page, is a tribute to the mother of Oleh Psiuk, the group's vocalist.

United Kingdom with Sam Ryder and Spain with Chanel were in second and third place with 466 and 459 points respectively.

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Other popular participants and those who received standing ovations are: Romania, Italy, Ukraine and Sweden.

Moldova and Serbia, two submissions that may have seemed out of the ordinary, also won the popular vote.

Ukraine will host Eurovision 2023, according to the format of the contest.

The country hosted the festival in 2005 and 2017.

The rejection of the war in Ukraine

The calls for peace in Ukraine were in the hands of the Kalush Orchestra, representative of that country in Eurovision.

At the end of his performance, the group's vocalist, Oleh Psiuk, asked for peace for his country, specifically, he asked for help for Mariúpol and the Azovstal steel plant.

"Help Ukraine, help Mariupol, help Azovstal now."

Malik Harris, representative of Germany, at the end of his performance showed a Ukrainian flag on the back of his guitar with the word "Peace" (peace in Spanish).

Members of Kalush Orchestra, Ukraine's representation in Eurovision, celebrate their victory together with the presenters of the gala: Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini and Mika.

(Credit: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

This year, the organizers canceled Russia's participation due to the invasion of Ukraine.

Organizers announced the decision in February.

The European Broadcasting Union said in a statement that the decision was made to cancel Russia's participation "in the wake of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine."

The organization emphasized that it is apolitical and that they are committed to upholding the values ​​of public service.

Through a tweet, the European Commission congratulated the Kalush Orchestra for the victory, saying that "Stefania" is the reflection of the hearts of Europeans.

“Congratulations to the Kalush Orchestra for their emotional winning song 'Stefania', which captures European hearts tonight.

Europe is with you tonight and always."

Eurovision Highlights

The gala, which takes place at the PalaOlimpico Arena in Turin, Italy, began with a presentation by the singer Laura Pausini, who this year is part of the driving team.

Pausini performed a

of some of her most iconic songs, among them, “La Soledad”, a song with which she won the Sanremo festival and with which she began her career.

The singer Mika, another of the presenters, also performed some of his hits, such as "Love Today" and filled the stage not only with a giant heart, but flags with that reason were also seen among the participants and spectators of the event.

Tonina Torrielli, the first Italian to win Eurovision, also had a guest appearance at the event.

The contest was not only seen in Europe, America and other continents, it also reached space.

Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti sent a special message to viewers from the International Space Station.

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