Ukraine's Eurovision entry - why we had to be there
For the Kalush Orchestra, Europe's biggest pop fest is much more than just a music competition. Their song, Stefania, is rapidly becoming an anthem for Ukrainian defiance.
For Oleh Psiuk and his band, the Kalush Orchestra, Europe's biggest pop fest has become much more than just a music competition with whacky costumes and exuberant performances. Their song Stefania - an ode to Oleh's mother that combines rap, hip hop and folk music - is rapidly becoming an anthem for the spirit of Ukrainian identity, and defiance in the face of war. The word 'mother' has become 'motherland' for many - and TikTok is awash with Ukrainians chanting the chorus.
The band is made up of six young men who've had to make an extraordinary choice between joining the army and singing at Eurovision. They've struggled to rehearse and film a music video in war-torn towns where electricity, gas and food are hard to come by. And they've been given special permits to leave Ukraine - men of their age are duty bound to stay and help the war effort.
Viktoriia Zhuhan - from the 成人论坛's Ukrainian service - travelled with them from the battlefields of Irpin to the competition final in Italy. For 5 Minutes On, they share with her their feelings about not going to the front line to fight for their country - and why they feel their music is such an important way of keeping the plight of Ukraine in the world spotlight.
Photo credit: 成人论坛
