Initially, there is a rap group, Kalush. Who hires the services of some comrades with folk instruments. For the Ukrainian selection, at Eurovision, they look for a promising theme among their songs.
“We make songs about topics that speak to us, people close to us. We write about our girlfriends, our loved ones, our friends. And so on. So I told myself I could write about my mom,” Oleh Psiuk explains. , The leader of the group
is the birth of Stephanie. Second in the Ukraine contest, finally caught and chosen to be the success that represents the country. Two days after the announcement of the selection, Russia attacks Ukraine. The members of the group will do everything possible to be in Turin three months later and sing their title.
“We had a very strong desire to win”
“We had a very strong desire to win. Because for Ukraine, today, it is important to win in all possible areas, so that was clearly our goal.”
On the site, they answer dozens of interviews, win the semi-finals and then the grand finale with an overwhelming vote from the public.
“Winning was very nice, because those three minutes on stage were the epilogue of three months of preparation with interviews every day. At that moment, I understood that we had not done everything in vain, it was really worth it.”
The song has become an anthem for all the mothers in Ukraine separated from their children by the conflict. And also a kind of European anti-war anthem, which resounded in forty countries.
“Power of music”
“It is true that music has an incredible force. When we listen to a title on repeat, for weeks, months, we are filled with the energy, the message of this song. It influences our mood… I really believe in the power of music.”
Kalush Orchestra continues today playing its title throughout Europe, and soon across the Atlantic. A way of defending, through music, Ukrainian folklore and identity. A strong message, in full conflict with Russia, excluded, this year from Eurovision.
Source: BFM TV
