Liverpool came clean after Sunday’s Eurovision Song Contest, as Sweden celebrated its victory and Ukraine remained defiant after a night of Russian bombardment, including the hometowns of the country’s representatives.
Electronic duo Tavorchy represented Ukraine at the spectacular continental contest, finishing sixth out of 26 finalists with “Heart of Steel”, a paean to the country’s resilience inspired by the siege of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
Red sirens sounded across Ukraine as the competition was held in Liverpool, and the Ukrainian military said a round of Russian missiles and drones had wounded dozens. One attack took place in Ternopil in western Ukraine, where Tavorchi members come from.
According to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, Ternopil was attacked again on Sunday morning. There was damage to cars and civilian buildings, and no casualties were initially reported.
“Ternopil is the name of our city that was bombed by Russia while we sang about our steel, strength and will on the Eurovision stage,” the duo of Andrey Hutsulyak and Jeffrey Kenny said on Instagram on Saturday night.
Russia, a traditional Eurovision entrant, was banned from the contest last year for its invasion of Ukraine.
Swedish singer Lorraine won the colorful and eclectic music contest for the second time with her power ballad “Tattoo” due to the war in Europe. Britain hosted Eurovision this year on behalf of Ukraine, which had won the previous year but was unable to stage the contest due to the war.
Sights and sounds of Ukraine took place throughout the night, beginning with 2022 winners Kalash Orchestra singing and dancing on the Kiev Metro, and musicians playing the tune in the UK, including Catalina. , Princess of Wales, who appeared playing the piano.
Eurovision, in its 67th edition, is presented as the biggest music competition in the world, an Olympic Games of festive pop. The contestants each have three minutes to combine catchy themes and engaging shows to win the hearts of millions of viewers.
Lorraine was the favorite in the complex Eurovision voting system and won with the votes of the most professional judges ever. It faced stiff competition from Karija, which won the public vote. Finnish Karija gave an energetic rendition of the festival anthem “Cha Cha Cha”.
Lorin, 39, who had already won Eurovision in 2012, said she was “very overwhelmed” at becoming only the second person to win twice. The first two-time champion was Irishman Johnny Logan in the 1980s.
Sweden’s seventh victory, which equals Ireland’s record, gives Sweden the right to host the contest next year, on the 50th anniversary of Sweden’s first victory, when ABBA won with “Waterloo” in 1974.
