Muzvar.ua has released the first details of what viewers can expect from the Ukrainian selection for Eurovision 2023.
Ukrainian music outlet Muzvar has revealed the first details regarding the nation’s selection for Eurovision 2023. According to sources speaking to the outlet it has been stated that a total of 10 songs will be competing to represent Ukraine in the United Kingdom. Should 10 songs compete this would be the largest Ukrainian final since 2014 when 20 acts competed to represent Ukraine in Copenhagen.
In addition, the Ukrainian public broadcaster intends to hold public voting through the Diia mobile application, with the aim of having the largest possible number of voters based on the current impacts of conflict on the mobile network in Ukraine.
The final of Vibdir 2023 will take place in December 2022 in Kyiv. The winner of the final will represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the United Kingdom. The winner will be chosen by a combination of public voting and a jury, whose members will be chosen by the public.
Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest in Turin, Italy, with a grand total of 631 points. They now hold the record of receiving the highest televote points in the history of the contest, and also finished in 4th with the juries. Due to the ongoing war, Ukraine will not host Eurovision 2023, marking the first time since 1980 that the contest will not be held in the previous winning country. However, Ukraine will still automatically qualify for the final, due to them being the defending champions.
Image Source: EBU/ Corinne Cumming | Source: Muzvar / Novyny
Ukraine first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, when Oleksandr Ponomariov performed “Hasta la vista”. The following year Ruslana brought the country their first win with the song “Wild Dances”. It was a feat that would be replicated in 2016 by Jamala with her song “1944”; her emotionally charged song scored a record 534 points to take victory in Stockholm. In 2017 O.Torvald represented the country on home soil with the song “Time”. The group finished in 24th place, Ukraine’s worst result at the contest to date. Kalush Orchestra gave Ukraine their third victory in 2022 with “Stefania”. Ukraine is the last remaining country with a 100% semi-final qualification record.
