Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 on Saturday, September 14th with “Stefania”, a rap song with folkloric touches by the Kalush Orchestra group, which gained strong public support during the Russian occupation of their country. program.

On stage at the event held in Turin, Italy, Kalush leader Oleh Psiuk said in English, “Please help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azovstal now!” he asked.

Honoring the 27-year-old rapper’s mother, the song was expected to be a favorite in the competition, which features a scoring system that mixes the criteria of professional judges in participating countries with popular vote.

Ukraine, which is in the fourth place after the jury points, took the first place with 631 points, beating British Sam Ryder and “Space Man” (466 points) and Cuban-Spanish Chanel (459) with “SloMo”.

It is Ukraine’s third victory in this competition, whose organizers, the European Broadcasting Union, excluded Russia from this raid, one day after the fire in the attack on its neighbor. pro-western on February 24.

Zelenski celebrates

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy posted on Facebook after learning of the results, “Our courage affects the world, our music conquers Europe!” Wrote.

The group is the successor of the hip-hop group founded by Psiuk, named Kalush after his hometown in western Ukraine.

Blending folk music with electronics, the band plays traditional flute-like wind instruments such as the telenka and sopilka and wears old traditional costumes, vests and traditional hats.