According to most Ukrainians, the secret of success is international solidarity with Ukraine, and the competition does not weigh so much the musical merits of the song.
ODESSA. Stefania’s mother, Stefania… Just as a Eurovision fan Olga Ovtšynnykova begins to hum Ukrainian Eurovision song in Odessa city center park, air alarm siren begins to ring.
The bird song of Spring Day turns into a scary and wavy shyness that is not music to the ears as it tells of the approach of Russian missiles or planes.
Over the past couple of weeks, Odessa has been the target of Russian missile strikes.
However, Ovchynnykova does not allow the air alarm to be disturbed, and he has no intention of seeking refuge.
– As you can hear, those air alarms are frequent these days. In these difficult times, listening to Ukrainian songs raises your mind a little, Ovchynnykova says.
Ovchynnykova earnestly hopes that Ukraine’s Eurovision candidate, Stefania, performed by the Kalush Orchestra, will win the Eurovision Song Contest.
– In these difficult times, the whole world supports us, and this song deserves a victory, Ovchynnykova says.
Ovchynnykova admits that she does not really remember the words of the song, but it tells about the wisdom and endurance of Ukrainian mothers.
– When I listen to this in Tiktok, the words come all by themselves, but when I try to sing it, I forget the words, Ovchynnykova says.
He believes that the visa victory will also boost Ukraine’s victory in the war against Russia.
If Ukraine wins, the next Eurovision Song Contest would be held in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.
– Before that, we have to rebuild our country and we have to organize the Eurovision Song Contest, Ovchynnykova says.
How can a profit be celebrated during a curfew?
In Ukraine, there is a night curfew, which in Odessa, for example, is valid from ten in the morning to five in the morning. During this time, you must not leave your home without special permission.
A Ukrainian soldier who dealt with in Odessa believes that the visa ban will not be slipped due to visas.
By the way, he is not enthusiastic about the idea that the Ukrainians would celebrate anything more broadly, because at the same time the soldiers will have to fight for their lives against the Russian soldiers.
However, Odessa residents interviewed by intend to celebrate potential victory to the extent possible during a state of war.
Most restaurants close their doors by eight in the evening, and alcohol sales are restricted – so restaurants are off the bills. In practice, Eurovision Song Contest can only be held live at home.
Ovchynnykova, for example, plans to postpone the expected victory celebration until the next day, when there is no need to worry about the return time set by the state.
– We celebrate together in the market and sing this song. When it is played in cafes, we dance to this beat, Ovchynnykova says.
Eurovision will also be watched Andrei Shinkarjuk, but safely from the home couch. He fears that wisdom could lead to some provocations on the streets of Odessa.
“As for the party, I will stay at my home because it is dangerous to take to the streets at these times,” says Šinkarjuk.
Shinkarjuk is pleased that the song represents the “Ukrainian spirit”. In style, it is a combination of hip hop and Ukrainian folk music – new and old.
It doesn’t seem to represent his taste in music, but Shinkarjuk considers it a nice song anyway.
Politics is raging Eurovision fans
Spending time in the park in the center of Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port city Tatiana Yegoricheva is not even sure if he intends to watch Eurovision this time, even though it has been the custom in the past.
– Eurovision is more politics than music. That’s a bad thing. I think they should be independent of the political situation, Yegorich says.
Yegorich would not be sincerely happy about Ukraine’s success if it was only due to the solidarity of the rest of Europe with the war-torn country.
– Ukraine should win if the song is really good. I don’t like it if Ukraine wins because Ukraine is talked about because of the war in all the headlines, Yegorich says.
Nevertheless, Yegorich has noticed from which countries support might be promised. He believes that Ukraine’s success in Eurovision will be fueled by at least Poland, Israel, Germany and Moldova – the latter because it is a neighboring country and there are also many Ukrainian refugees there.
On Saturday night, it will be clear how right the bet will be. Unfortunately, in the midst of the war, the Ukrainians will not be able to celebrate a possible victory together other than virtually.