Saturday night, all eyes were on the Eurovision song contest. Either watching it on tv, or the live stream on YouTube, any music lover tuned in for the long-awaited competition.
1. Voting at Eurovision
For those who are not familiar with the voting system at the Eurovision song contest, the very short explanation is this. Half of the final score is given by the vote of the professional juries and the other half comes from the public vote. Each participating country has a professional jury who awards 12 points to their favourite song, then 10 to their second favourite, then 8 and so on until 1. The public had a window of 15 minutes to vote from the moment the last performed song ends. The score of the professional juries is announced first, then the number of votes from the public is added to the scoreboard.
It is certainly not unusual for the public vote to overturn the charts, but, this year, with 439 points, Ukraine received the highest number of public votes in the 67-year history of the competition. Before the public votes were added, the UK was leading, but after receiving only 182 points, it finally remained in second place.
2. Stefania by the Kalush Orchestra
Kalush Orchestra is a Ukrainian hip-hop band that combines ethnic motifs with modern sounds using different folk instruments.
The band was named after the Ukrainian city of Kalush. Set in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, it serves as a mascot that inspires the band to involve different folk elements and authentic Ukrainian music within their songs. Moreover, it is the hometown of band member Oleh Psiuk.
Their Eurovision entry, Stefania, is a tribute to Oleh’s mother, which she only heard for the very first time when she saw the band compete in Ukraine’s Eurovision selection show, Vidbir.
English Lyrics
Mother Stephania, Stephania mother
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting grey
Mother, sing me the lullaby
I want to hear your dear word
She was rocking me as a baby, she gave me a rhythm,
And you can’t take willpower from me, as I got it from her
I think she knew more than King Solomon.
I’ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed
She wouldn’t wake me up even if there was a storm outside
Or if there was a storm between her and grandma,
She trusted me over everyone else
Even when she was tired, she just kept rocking me
Lully-lully-lullaby
Mother Stephania, Stephania mother
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting grey
Mother, sing me the lullaby
I want to hear your dear word
I’m not a kid anymore, but she will always treat me like one
I’m not a kid anymore, but she keeps worrying about me, anytime I‘m out
Mother, you are still young. If I don’t appreciate your kindness, I‘m moving towards a dead-end
But my love for you has no end.
Mother Stephania, Stephania mother
The field is blooming, but her hair is getting grey
Mother, sing me the lullaby
I want to hear your dear word
3. Next year’s edition
“Obviously, there are unique challenges involved in hosting next year’s competition.” said The European Broadcasting Union.
According to tradition, the winning country gets the honour of hosting the following year’s edition. However, considering the on-going conflict in Ukraine, that could prove a little challenging. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a statement that they “look forward to discussing all the requirements and responsibilities involved in hosting the competition with UA:PBC [The Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine], and all other stakeholders, to ensure we have the most suitable setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest”.
4. Russia at Eurovision
Before each country submitted their entry for the competition, the EBU had announced that Russia would not be allowed to participate this year.
The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU. The Reference Group recommendation was also supported by the EBU’s Television Committee.
“We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which promotes international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music and unites Europe on one stage.” said The European Broadcasting Union.
The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute. The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service.
