Ukrainian Band Kalush Orchestra's Win At Eurovision Song Contest Comes As A Ray Of Hope Amid War

The band's win clearly signifies people's extensive support for the country, that clearly goes beyond music.

New Delhi: Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra's win at the Eurovision Song Contest in the early hours of Sunday, comes as a ray of hope for the war-torn country. The band's win clearly signifies people's extensive support for the country, that clearly goes beyond music.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the victory and said "we will do our best" to host next year’s contest in the hotly contested port city of Mariupol. The win of Kalush Orchestra marks Ukraine's third victory so far, since its debut at the Eurovision in 2003. Zelensky also underlined "Ukrainian Mariupol",adding: “free, peaceful, rebuilt!”

“I am sure our victorious chord in the battle with the enemy is not far off,″ Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram messaging app.

Oleh Psiuk, front man of Kalush Orchestra, took advantage of the great opportunity to address an enormous global audience, to make impassioned plea to free fighters still trapped beneath a sprawling steel plant in Mariupol following their performance.

The band expressed their gratitude to the audience for making them win through their support.

Post the win, Psiuk implored the audience to "Help Azovstal, right now." His bright bucket hat has become a trademark among fans.

As per a report in AP, Psiuk later told a news conference that people can help by “spreading information, talking out this, reaching out to governments to help.”

Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision competition for their song 'Stefania', which ranked as the bookmaker's favourite among the 25 competing performers in the grand finale.

Psiuk thanked the Ukrainian diaspora and “and everyone around the world who voted for Ukraine. ... The victory is very important to Ukraine. Especially this year.”

Penned by Psiuk as a tribute to his mother, 'Stefania' has become an anthem to the motherland, with lyrics that pledge: “I’ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed.”

Kalush Orchestra itself is a cultural project that includes folklore experts and mixes traditional folk melodies and contemporary hip hop in a purposeful defense of Ukrainian culture.