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TURIN — Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy on Saturday with their entry “Stefania,” riding a wave of public support to claim an emotional victory.
Sung in Ukrainian, the winning song fused rap with traditional folk music and was a tribute to band frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother.
Ukraine were in fourth place based on jury voting but claimed victory with a commanding lead in viewer voting. Britain’s Sam Ryder finished second.
The bookmakers had made Kalush Orchestra the clear favorite for the annual contest, which normally draws a television audience of close to 200 million, based in part on the plight of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in February.
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Psiuk had said this week that he was hoping for a win to “lift the spirits” of his compatriots. It is the third time that Ukraine has won the annual competition.
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In a video address released before the event, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believed the Kalush Orchestra would win.
“Europe, vote for Kalush Orchestra, (song) No 12! Let’s support our fellow countrymen! Let’s support Ukraine!” he said, clenching his fist.