Yesterday, just days after their landslide victory in Turin, the members of Kalush Orchestra returned home to Ukraine. The band had extended their time in Turin in order to perform at the Germany Consulate with fellow Eurovision artist Malik Harris and do some TV interviews. By Monday afternoon they arrived by bus at the Ukranian border to re-enter their homeland.
In Lviv near the Polish/Ukrainian border the group received a hero’s welcome from individuals, and received flowers, flags, and congratulations on their win. Oleh Psiuk was also reunited with one of the most important people in the world to him – his girlfriend.
The group went on to do an impromptu performance of “Stefania” for the crowd. Also present for the performance were members of the Ukranian state border guard, whom the band talked to. After their conversation a board guard member shouts the phrase “Slava Ukrayini” (Glory to Ukraine), and the band replies “Heroyam Slava” (Glory to the Heroes).
Following the performance the band held a zoom press conference in Lviv for the local news. During the conference Psiuk anounced that they plan to sell the Eurovision 2022 trophy to the highest bidder, and use the money raised to benefit a Ukrainian charity and their armed forced. Speaking on the matter Psiuk said: “There are many people that can allow themselves to donate large sums to support Ukraine, this trophy will serve as an additional motivation.”
At the same press conference, the official documentation from the EBU about hosting the contest was handed over from HoD Oksana Skybinska to Mykola Chernotytski from UA:PBC. Now that the documents have made it to Ukraine, planning for the 2023 contest will begin.
The band’s future plans continue to be unknown due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, but the band have mentioned that they wish to tour Europe to raise funds for their country eventually. Any official announcements will be posted to the band’s official Instagram account.
Have #YOU congratulated Kalush Orchestra and Ukraine on their win? Let us know on social media @ESCUnited, on our discord, or on our forum page!
