Speaking to Radio Promin, LELÉKA has discussed what drove her to decide to revamp her song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Speaking on Radio Promin this past weekend, LELÉKA has discussed the journey she took to decide to revamp her song for the Eurovision Song Contest. She explained that the decision was driven by a desire to highlight the bandura alone.
“The sound of the bandura contains our history, our songs, and our memory. It’s a sound that instantly brings us home”
During the process of working on changes to “Ridnym”, over 30 different arrangement changes were tried before finally deciding on the version that has subsequently been released. Looking ahead to the contest in May, she simply said that her team are “preparing me to win, and we are only going for that”. The singer has not revealed who is the team working on her Eurovision performance.
When she takes to the stage in Vienna for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, LELÉKA reflected that the message she hopes to share with audiences in May is:
“Your own, your own family is not something to be ashamed of. It is a great strength. And the most important thing is not to be afraid. Look fear in the eye and move forward. This is a message for everyone who lives in Europe and beyond”
LELÉKA will represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with “Ridnym”. She will perform in the second half of the second semi-final on May 14. You can read more about her here:
Source: Vechir / Radio Promin
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”, which scored 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 one of only two remaining countries with a 100% semi-final qualification record.
