Entertainment
Kalush Orchestra vow to help Ukraine win Eurovision again so country can host contest after UK in 2024-Cydney Yeates-Entertainment – Metro
The UK has been confirmed as the next host of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Kalush Orchestra have spoken out after it was announced the UK will host Eurovision 2022 (Picture: Getty)
While Kalush Orchestra is ‘grateful’ to the UK for showing solidarity with Ukraine and for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 on their country’s behalf, they are also keen to win the competition again so they can host.
The Ukrainian folk-rap group stormed this year’s competition in Turin, Italy, and would have been expected to host the next event.
However, the organisers of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) previously decided the contest could not be held in the war-torn country of Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
As a result, it was announced on Monday that the UK will host Eurovision next year as British singer Sam Ryder came runner-up in this year’s competition.
Following the news, Kalush Orchestra’s lead singer Oleh Psiuk said: ‘Of course, we are very sad that the Eurovision Song Contest will not be held in Ukraine next year.
‘But we are grateful to the UK for their solidarity and for agreeing to hold the event in support of our country.’
The folk band won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Italy (Picture: Getty)
The group beat UK entry Sam Ryder, who came second (Picture: PA)
He added in a statement to the PA news agency: ‘We hope Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flavour and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture.
‘We, in turn, will make all efforts to help Ukraine win next year as well, so that Eurovision 2024 can take place in a peaceful country.’
Following their Eurovision win with their song Stefania, the group auctioned off their trophy to raise money for the Ukrainian army.
They said they raised $900,000 (£713,000) by auctioning off the glass microphone, and a further $370,000 (£293,000) by raffling off the pink bucket hat frontman Psiuk wore during the performance.
More: Trending
Last month, the group also delivered their first UK performance since they triumphed in Turin with a set on Shangri-La’s Truth Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
During their performance, they expressed their hope that Ukraine might still be able to host the event and thanked the crowd for supporting their country.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Entertainment – MetroRead More
