TURIN, Italy -
Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra, recent off its Eurovision victory, launched a brand new music video Sunday of its successful hit "Stefania" that options scenes of war-ravaged Ukraine and girls in fight gear, because the annual music contest took on ever extra political tones given Russia's warfare.
"That is how we see Ukrainian moms right now," Kalush frontman Oleh Psiuk mentioned of the video, which had already racked up thousands and thousands of views inside hours of its launch. "We had been making an attempt to ship the message of what Ukraine seems like right now."
The video was launched hours after Kalush Orchestra introduced Ukraine its third Eurovision win, pulling forward of Britain within the grand finale due to a surge of widespread votes from among the estimated 200 million viewers from 40 collaborating nations. The win buoyed Ukrainian spirits and represented a powerful affirmation of Ukrainian tradition, which Psiuk mentioned was "underneath assault" by Russia's invasion.
Band members posed for pictures and signed autographs exterior their three-star Turin resort Sunday, packing their very own baggage into taxis en path to an interview with Italian host broadcaster RAI earlier than heading dwelling. They have to return to Ukraine on Monday after being given particular permission to depart the nation to attend the competitors; most Ukrainian males between age 18 and 60 are barred from leaving in case they're wanted to struggle.
That stark actuality made for a bittersweet second Sunday in Turin, as Kalush vocalist Sasha Tab needed to say goodbye to his spouse Yuliia and two youngsters, who fled Ukraine a month in the past and reside with a number Italian household in close by Alba. She and the kids had been on the band's resort and he or she wept as Tab held his daughter in his arms earlier than entering into the cab.
Russia was banned from the Eurovision Track Contest this 12 months after its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, a transfer organizers mentioned was meant to maintain politics out of the competition that promotes variety and friendship amongst nations.
However politics nonetheless entered into the fray, with Psiuk ending his successful efficiency Sunday evening with a plea from the stage: "I ask all of you, please assist Ukraine, Mariupol. Assist Azovstal proper now!" he mentioned, referring to the besieged metal plant within the strategic port metropolis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the victory, saying he hoped Ukraine would be capable of host the competition subsequent 12 months and predicting the "victorious chord within the battle with the enemy is just not far off."
"Stefania" was penned by lead singer Psiuk as a tribute to his mom, however since Russia's invasion it has grow to be an anthem to the motherland, with lyrics that pledge: "I am going to at all times discover my approach dwelling, even when all roads are destroyed."
The brand new music video options girls troopers carrying youngsters out of bombed-out buildings, greeting youngsters in shelters and leaving them behind as they board trains. The video credit mentioned it was shot in cities which have seen among the worst destruction of the warfare, together with Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka and Hostomel.
The video was clearly made earlier than the band left Ukraine because it options band members and -- presumably -- actors performing within the rubble.
"Devoted to the courageous Ukrainian folks, to the moms defending their youngsters, to all those that gave their lives for our freedom," it mentioned.
Ukrainians cheered the victory Sunday as a much-needed increase, and the nationwide rail operator introduced that the practice that passes by means of Kalush, the birthplace of Psiuk, shall be renamed the "Stefania Specific."
"Each little victory is necessary for each Ukrainian, for our Ukraine, for every one in all us," Kyiv resident Svitlana Nekruten mentioned.
Albert Sokolov, an evacuee from Mariupol, mentioned he had little doubt Ukraine would emerge victorious.
"I listened to this music in Mariupol once we had been being bombed so I used to be certain that they'd win," he mentioned Sunday in Kyiv.
Russians mentioned the vote was finally political, but additionally confirmed that Kalush Orchestra and Ukraine had assist.
"Eurovision is at all times about politicized selections; some conditions name for a sure selection," Moscow resident Olga Shlyakhova mentioned. "In fact, I feel most individuals assist Ukrainians. They cannot assume otherwise, as a result of they perceive it is a tragedy. That is why they selected (the winners) with their hearts."
Anastasiya Perfiryeva, one other Moscow resident, famous the favored vote that was so decisive within the victory.
"It was unusual individuals who voted. They supported (the winners). Properly accomplished. I feel that in any case the workforce was sturdy, and the assist from exterior is at all times nice."
Kalush Orchestra consists of folklore consultants and mixes conventional people melodies and up to date hip hop in a powerful protection of Ukrainian tradition that has taken on added which means as Russia has sought falsely to say that Ukraine's tradition is just not distinctive.
Psiuk, in his trademark pink bucket hat, mentioned the band is not making an attempt to be "cool" with its uncommon mix of previous and new, however that clearly it hit a chord and located broad widespread assist that pushed Ukraine to victory.
"We're not making an attempt to be like an American hip-hop band," he mentioned. "We are attempting to current our tradition, barely combined."
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Nicole Winfield reported from Rome. Luca Bruno contributed to this report from Turin.
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