The festival touts neutrality, but many saw Ukraine’s performance in the first semi-final as a reference to the conflict. The artists speak out and guarantee: “politics is everywhere.”
The Eurovision Song Contest organization has tried to keep the contest apolitical, but there are those who see Ukraine’s performance in Tuesday night’s semifinal in Malmö, Sweden, as a moment filled with subliminal messages about the Russian invasion. Aliona Aliona and Jerry Heil, who represent Ukraine with the song “Teresa & Maria”, qualified for the final of the contest to be held this Saturday.
On the social network “Ukraine worked hard on this year’s Eurovision performance, enriching it with deep symbolism and meaning. What a fantastic way to express contemporary narratives through art,” wrote one user.
Ukraine worked hard on this year’s Eurovision performance, enriching it with deep symbolism and meaning. What a fantastic way to express ongoing narratives through art?????????
Beautifully made Ukraine? https://t.co/hqtZV9vhdr
– Violanta (@violantalewis) May 7, 2024
Others noted a moment in the performance where the lights create a visual effect that resembles that produced by Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian territory.
I hope that powerful and moving song of #Ukraine in it @Eurovision
It will draw attention to our pain and sorrow. It’s the song about women who carry a large part of the weight of war on their shoulders…
We sincerely thank Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil for their incredible performance! pic.twitter.com/ZLvVsJlFcr– Ivanna Klympush (@IKlympush) May 7, 2024
At the beginning of May it was announced that the Ukrainian participation in this year’s Eurovision is under the creative direction of Tanu Muiño. The Ukrainian music video designer and director is the creative mind behind the music videos of the biggest names in current pop music, from Harry Styles to Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Rosalía and Dua Lipa; It is Muiño who signs the music video of the recently released album. mirage, For example.
This is art. #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/NSBLxIOuZE
— vanya ✙????????? (@eurovanya) May 7, 2024
Although the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizing entity of Eurovision, reaffirms that it is a contest devoid of any political charge – and that is why the EBU rejected any boycott of Israel’s participation and prohibited the use of Palestinian symbols in the event– , Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil want to use their voice as a platform to raise awareness about the ongoing war against their country, especially as public attention has been declining as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
The positioning of the duo of artists came immediately before going on stage. Earlier this week, on the turquoise carpet (the name comes from the color of the pageant’s official sponsor, the cosmetics brand Morrocan Oil), Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil appeared in suits adorned with keys, symbolizing the homes lost due to the ongoing war. in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reported.
The artists also highlighted that if they win the 68th edition of the festival they will sell the trophy and donate the proceeds to help cover the costs of the war, just like their predecessors who won the award in 2022. “I sold it to the nation.” , they promised. The Kyiv Post writes that the two have already raised funds to rebuild a primary school in a Ukrainian region destroyed by a Russian missile.
“Politics is everywhere,” they believe. “Culture is part of politics, that’s why every song is political,” said Alyona Alyona, the 32-year-old rapper, quoted by the Ukrainian press. “We’re here to talk,” Heil, 28, said. “Only music can connect divided people,” she said. “Only music can heal.”
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Together with composers Anton Chilibi and Ivan Klymenko, the duo wrote the song “Teresa & Maria,” which places Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary as central figures to inspire hope in humanity. The song, which combines popular songs, rap verses and melodies, is sung in Ukrainian.
“We created a song about two symbols of kindness, love and unity. If you are united, you can win the war, you can change the world and leave something for your children and your children’s children,” Alyona Alyona explained to Euronews.
[A participação da Ucrânia na primeira semifinal da Eurovisão:]
Source: Observadora
