The Kalush Orchestra is not even three years old, and the guys only recorded their first music video at the end of 2019. Yet, thanks to their victory in the Eurovision Song Contest on May 14, they are now known in various parts of the globe.

In addition to representing Ukraine with its song, the Kalush Orchestra gave the world a reminder from the stage about Russia’s war in the country. Throughout the preparations for the competition, the band’s frontman, Oleh Psyuk, said time and time again that every victory today is more important for Ukraine than ever before.

Eurovision is not only about music, it is also about meanings and images,” says Ukrainian political scientist Oleh Saakyan. According to him, winning this year’s Eurovision has brought many positive aspects for Ukraine at the political level.

“First, it shows for Ukrainians themselves that we are supported by different countries not only at government level. And today it is really important for us to understand that we are not alone. This has been demonstrated many times, but reminders still play a role. Secondly, it is a fixation of the image of the winner. And here it is already important, both for our population and for those who support us abroad. One victory is conditionally superimposed onto another,” Saakyan said.

In addition, says the political scientist, the call made by Oleh Psyuk from the Eurovision stage to help Mariupol, particularly the Azovstal steel plant, which is now called the biggest wound in Ukraine, is playing a very important role at the present time.

The Ukrainian military is blockaded there. Dozens of troops die every day from their injuries. Others lie injured without receiving any medical care. The number of queries about Azovstal in the Google search engine has risen tenfold thanks to Psyuk’s pleas.

More people are now interested in the word “Mariupol” too.

Saakyan believes that this is a good result; the world should not lose interest in this war or become indifferent to Ukraine.

In addition, the Azov Regiment fighters stranded inside Azovstal thanked the Kalush Orchestra for their support.

I analyzed comments left underneath posts on the official pages of Eurovision Ukraine and the Kalush Orchestra.

Of course, most Ukrainians are very happy with the achievements of their idols. The most common comments are “Thank you Kalush Orchestra for the uplifting fighting spirit” or “Keep it up! An important new victory is ahead!”

There are also comments akin to, though they are few, “Winning Eurovision is great, but next year we won’t be up to organizing song contests”.

And, of course, without hate from Russians, who were barred from participating in Eurovision this year. However, this is a competition, and there is no fight where everyone is happy.

Nevertheless, Ukrainians are already launching a poll on  social networks as to where the final of Eurovision-2023 will take place if the war in Ukraine ends.

Therefore, Kyiv and Lviv are in the lead on the pages of popular Ukrainian bloggers. Among the dreams is hosting it in Mariupol, which has now been almost completely destroyed by enemy Russian shelling.

The song “Stephanie”, titled  after Oleh Psyuk’s mother, is a big hit now. Just hours before the Eurovision Song Contest on May 15, the Kalush Orchestra released a video clip.

It included moving footage of the cities of Bucha, Irpin and Borodyanka in Kyiv Region in the aftermath of brutal Russian occupation in March.

 

The views expressed in this article are the author’s and not necessarily those of the Kyiv Post.