From our special correspondent in Turin (Italy)
“Ukraine will win and no one will lose. It will be a historic moment,” predicted Italian journalist Marta Cagnola at 20 minutes, ahead of the Eurovision 2022 final on Saturday. His prediction came true. By gleaning 631 points, including 439 from the public side – a record! –, the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra has largely imposed itself. His dolphin, the Briton Sam Ryder was relegated far behind, the counter stopped at 466 points, but what will remain of this prize list in the memories, it is especially his winner.
“This victory is very important for Ukraine, especially this year. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Glory to Ukraine! “, launched Oleh Psiuk, the leader of Kalush Orchestra, once crowned. It is obvious that this Ukrainian triumph goes (very) far beyond the musical framework. Initially, the singer wrote the song, Stefania, in homage to his mother. Since the start of the Russian invasion, the text has taken on a new meaning, that of an ode to the motherland. And this Saturday, from London to Nicosia, she represented, in every sense of the word, Ukraine at war.
No. 1 in twenty-eight countries
The conflict could not be on everyone’s mind. There was no need for Oleh Psiuk, at the end of his performance, to urge into the microphone: “Help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azovstal! “, because the production had chosen to open the show on the notes of Give Peace a Chance (“Give peace a chance”).
In a gesture as ridiculous as sending an SMS, each voter for Ukraine expressed purely symbolic support. It is the magnitude of this mobilization that accentuates the resonance and makes it an event. If we look in detail, viewers from the other 39 participating countries gave points to Ukraine. 28 of them, including France, awarded him the maximum 12 points. It should be noted that Serbia – perceived as a Russophile nation – awarded it “only” seven. Eurovision proves once again that it holds up a mirror to a continent, that it reflects its state of mind and the impulses that run through it. “Wouldn’t Ukraine’s victory be that of a Europe that wants peace, to unite? asked in a purely rhetorical way, Alexandra Redde-Amiel, the head of the French delegation.
“We celebrate your victory all over the world”
It is above all the political reactions that underline the strength of the symbol. For Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, such unanimity is an expression of Europe’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine. Charles Michel, President of the European Council also tweeted congratulations, saying he hoped that the 2023 competition would take place “in a free and united Ukraine”.
“Tonight, your song won our hearts. We are celebrating your victory around the world,” reacted European Commission President Ursulla von der Leyen. For Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky, the fact of glory is proven: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe”, he declared on social networks, confiding his intention to organize the next edition to Mariupol.
For Ukraine, Eurovision is an important tool of soft power. Since its first participation in 2003, the country has won the contest twice, in 2004 and 2016. It has regularly been the scene of symbolic clashes with Russia. The latest: when the latter was excluded from the competition, in February, due to the invasion of Ukraine. As Dean Vuletic, professor of history at the University of Vienna (Austria) reminded us, this was in itself a “diplomatic victory” for the Ukrainians.