Ukraine wins Eurovision 2022 in massive show of public solidarity

Eurovision 2022 | Ukraine obtain most points in televoting to jump top of the list and win the song festival held in Turin, Italy • UK place second

15 May 2022, 1:24am
by Kurt Sansone

1 min read

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra being awarded the Eurovision 2022 trophy as Europeans rally in sympathy to the ordeals their country is facing

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Ukraine was crowned winner of the Eurovision song contest held in Turin after overwhelming support from the public vote propelled them ahead of the UK.

Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra road on a wave of sympathy in the wake of their country’s invasion by Russia.

On stage, the group asked for help for Ukrainian forces besieged in the Azovstal steelworks plant in Mariupol at the end of their song.

Ukraine trailed in fourth place when the jury votes from 40 countries were counted but obtained an impressive 439 points from the public to jump to first place with 631 points.

The UK came in second with 466 points, the best placing in 20 years.

Ukraine had been favourites to win the festival and the public vote did not disappoint.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Kalush Orchestra on their win and writing on Telegram said: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe.”

“We will do our best to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in Ukrainian Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt,” he added.

Kurt Sansone is Executive Editor of MaltaToday. He was formerly deputy editor of MaltaTod...