In 2022, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra received the Eurovision Tune Contest and promptly offered their winners’ trophy for $900,000 to boost cash to assist with the warfare effort. The distinctive crystal microphone was auctioned on Fb and funds have been used to purchase drones for Ukraine’s army.
In an interview with Deadline, this 12 months’s entrants have pledged to make comparable efforts, telling us any cash they elevate from the competition will go in direction of rebuilding a faculty within the Dnipropetrovsk area destroyed by a Russian missile in 2022.
Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil mirrored on the importance of Kalush Orchestra’s Eurovision victory that very same 12 months. Alyona stated: “For Ukraine, it was crucial as a result of it was [about] consideration. Then they offered their trophy, created a lottery and have been capable of unfold details about the reality [of the war]. We now have [to deal with] a variety of propaganda.”
Alyona and Heil are presently fifth favorites to emulate Kalush Orchestra’s success, and followers of the pair and their efficiency can donate to the college fund by way of United24’s web site, the place they will additionally bid for a private assembly with the musical duo.
Alyona, who was beforehand a kindergarten trainer, stated she would “promote every little thing, my hair, every little thing,” to assist with the trouble.
For the competition, the pair, who beforehand collaborated on a people album, have introduced their contrasting kinds – Alyona is a rapper, Heil extra operatic – to a track impressed by Ukrainian saints Theresa and Maria, representing love and kindness. The track was created in a studio in Kyiv whereas warfare raged exterior.
Alyona stated: “The circumstances that we have now in Ukraine, they’re part of this track. It was written below the assaults, below alerts, and our individuals are so used to it, we don’t even disguise. What comes, comes. It’s the brand new actuality.”
One in every of Europe’s most celebrated feminine rappers, Alyona is clearly politically energetic. She wears a T-shirt that she interprets as “Free the Defenders” – and explains it refers back to the 5,000 Ukrainian troopers who’ve been behind Russian traces because the starting of the warfare. However each ladies are clearly conscious of the European Broadcasting Union’s guidelines on Eurovision entries staying apolitical – Israel needed to change their lyrics in March because of this – and as a substitute stress their message of peace, love and unity.
Simply because the UK needed to host rather than Ukraine in 2023 following Kalush Orchestra’s victory, Alyona and Heil realise that, ought to they win, their nation could be equally ill-placed to host the occasion subsequent 12 months. “In a Utopian world,” stated Alyona, “however we don’t know what comes subsequent. Possibly within the west of Ukraine it will be attainable. However our air area will not be closed, and individuals are afraid of coming.”
Within the meantime, it’s all about getting the message out that Ukraine remains to be in enterprise, culturally, musically, socially.
Heil stated: “Our message is to not make folks struggle, however to unite and assist one another. We really feel that music can unite, and musically and culturally we can provide a lot as a nation, we simply must be seen, and we’re grateful for this chance.
Like a real diplomat, Alyona added: “It’s essential not simply to ask for issues, however to say thanks.”
The pair’s track consists of the road, “Quickly it is going to be over”. When requested how optimistic they’re of this coming true, Alyona shrugged, smiled and added: “It helps us to get up each morning.”
The Eurovision Tune Contest will happen in Malmo, Sweden, with the semi-finals on Could 7 and 9, and the ultimate on Could 11.