3 weeks ago
Even amid war, Ukraine finds clip for nan glittery, pop-filled Eurovision Song Contest. Perhaps now moreover much than ever.
Ukraine’s entrants successful nan pan-continental euphony title — nan female duo of rapper alyona alyona and vocalist Jerry Heil — group disconnected from Kyiv for nan title connected Thursday. In wartime, that intends a agelong train travel to Poland, from wherever they will recreation connected to adjacent month’s title successful Malmö, Sweden.
SWEDEN'S EUROVISION SONG CONTEST TO HAVE STRICT SECURITY DUE TO HEIGHTENED THREAT OF TERRORISM, POLICE SAY
"We request to beryllium visible for nan world," Heil told The Associated Press astatine Kyiv train position earlier her departure. "We request to show that moreover now, during nan war, our civilization is developing, and that Ukrainian euphony is thing waiting for nan world" to discover.
Ukrainian rapper alyona alyona, left, and vocalist Jerry Heil clasp nan Ukrainian emblem arsenic they airs for nan media earlier departing from nan main train position successful Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 25, 2024. Ukraine’s entrants successful nan pan-continental euphony competition, nan female duo of rapper alyona alyona and vocalist Jerry Heil group disconnected from Kyiv for nan title connected Thursday. In wartime, that intends a agelong train travel to Poland, from wherever they will recreation connected to adjacent month’s title successful Malmö, Sweden. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
"We person to dispersed it and stock it and show group really beardown (Ukrainian) women and men are now," added alyona, who spells her sanction pinch each little lawsuit letters.
Ukraine has agelong utilized Eurovision arsenic a shape of taste diplomacy, a measurement of showing nan world nan country’s unsocial sound and style. That ngo became much urgent aft Russia’s full-scale penetration successful February 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that Ukraine existed arsenic a chopped state and group earlier Soviet times.
Ukrainian vocalist Jamala won nan title successful 2016 — 2 years aft Russia illegally seized nan Crimean Peninsula — pinch a opus astir nan expulsion of Crimea’s Tatars by Stalin successful 1944. Folk-rap set Kalush Orchestra took nan Eurovision title successful 2022 pinch "Stefania," a opus astir nan frontman’s mother that became an anthem to nan war-ravaged motherland, pinch a haunting refrain connected a accepted Ukrainian upwind instrument.
Alyona and Heil will execute "Maria & Teresa," an anthemic ode to inspiring women. The title refers to Mother Theresa and nan Virgin Mary, and nan lyrics see nan refrain, successful English: "All nan divas were calved arsenic nan quality beings" — group we respect arsenic saints were erstwhile flawed and quality for illustration nan remainder of us.
Heil said nan connection is that "we each make mistakes, but your actions are what specify you."
And, alyona added: "with capable power you tin triumph nan war, you tin alteration nan world."
The opus blends alyona’s punchy rap style pinch Heil’s soaring melody and distinctly Ukrainian vocal style.
"Alyona is simply a awesome rapper, she has this powerful energy," Heil said. "And I’m much soft."
"But awesome melodies," alyona added. "So she creates each nan melodies and I conscionable jump in."
Ukraine has been astatine nan forefront of turning Eurovision from a title dominated by English-language popular songs to a much divers and multilingual event. Jamala sang portion of her opus successful nan Crimean Tatar language, while Kalush Orchestra sang and rapped successful Ukrainian.
Ukraine’s Eurovision triumph successful 2022 brought nan state nan correct to big nan pursuing year, but because of nan warfare nan 2023 title was held successful nan English metropolis of Liverpool, which was bedecked successful bluish and yellowish Ukrainian flags for nan juncture — a ceremony of Ukraine’s tone and culture.
Thirty-seven countries from crossed Europe and beyond — including Israel and Australia — will compete successful Malmö successful 2 Eurovision semifinals May 7 and 9, followed by a May 11 final. Ukraine presently ranks among bookmakers’ apical 5 favorites alongside nan likes of vocalist Nemo from Switzerland and Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna.
Russia, a long-time Eurovision competitor, was kicked retired of nan title complete nan invasion.
The Ukrainian duo caught a train aft holding a news convention wherever they announced a fundraising thrust for a schoolhouse destroyed by a Russian strike.
The duo is joining pinch kindness fundraising level United 24 to raise 10 cardinal hryvnia (about $250,000) to rebuild a schoolhouse successful nan colony of Velyka Kostromka successful confederate Ukraine that was destroyed by a Russian rocket successful October 2022. The school’s 250 pupils person been incapable to be people since then, relying connected online learning.
From nan rubble, a coach managed to rescue 1 of nan school’s treasured possessions — a ample woody cardinal traditionally presented to first people students to symbolize that acquisition is nan cardinal to their future.
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Alyona and Heil person besides embraced nan cardinal arsenic a symbol, wearing T-shirts covered successful mini metallic housekeys.
"It’s a awesome of thing which possibly immoderate group successful Ukraine won’t have, because truthful galore group mislaid their homes," Heil said. "But they’re holding these keys successful their pockets, and they're holding nan hope."
