TVORCHI Ukrainians convincingly outperform their closest neighbors in Sweden in the bookmaker rating, but there has already been a scandal with the Czech song they support Ukraine.
Bookmakers have already compiled a rating of Eurovision 2023 participants. As last year, it was directed by Ukrainian artists – this is the TVORCHI duet with the song Heart of Steel. Now they were given 20% of the victory, and Sweden closest to them received only 10%, then Finland – 7%. But these countries have not yet presented their artists: today about a third of all participants are known. The closest well-known competitor to us is Norway, which takes 4th place, singer Alessandra (6%) with this Queen of Kings song. In fifth place is the Czech Republic (5%) – this is the band Vesna with the composition My Sister’s Crown – and a scandal is brewing around this song in support of Ukraine.
Focus understand the nuances of the situation.
Why are Swedes and Finns so honored if not declared stars? Its artists often won this competition. And in Sweden in general, the center of European pop music (rock – in the UK) and many songwriters (songwriters) live there, who provided hits not only for this competition, but even for stars like Madonna.
It is too early to analyze the participants in detail – because we do not know them. Let’s pay attention to the already known participants of Eurovision 2023 in the top 5: Ukraine, Norway, Czech Republic.
Ukraine: sweet couple
Recall that the pop duo TVORCHI from Ternopil positioned itself as an electronic funk artist. TVORCHI includes composer and arranger Andrei Gutsulyak, as well as black vocalist Jeffrey Kenny.
“At Liverpool we want to show that Ukrainian music is not just folklore demonstrated by Go_A and Kalush, it is progressive electronic music” –said the men smugly.
This couple, dark and white, look great on stage together – like the incarnation of girly dreams.
According to the musicians, the song Heart Of Steel was written in May 2022, inspired by the “Azov” struggle. The idea that the Ukrainians have a heart of steel was solidified by the trials of war. But the song isn’t directly about war, it’s about people who find the strength within themselves to move forward, not give up, and ultimately win.
“Sometimes you gotta look away
Sometimes you just gotta know
When should the middle finger be lifted?
life is just a game
But I play to win.”
Focus At Eurovision 2023, he advised the band to upgrade this song before the competition so that it would sound stronger. (So once they did Go_A with the composition “Noise”). And this is not empty advice – the closest competitors of the Ukrainian participants are very strong.
Norway: Queen of Kings
Norway made its choice – they also held a competition. Alessandra won with the song Queen of Kings. Alessandra Queen of Kings?
The work turned out to be great – a thick electronic voice and the same shock chorus. This dynamic is sorely lacking in the trail of the Ukrainian pop duet.
It also impresses that Alessandra is an athletically developed girl, in practice Xena is a warrior queen. And the text is very combative, possibly inspired by the history of the Vikings: “She is the queen of kings fleeing from the wind. Nothing in the world can stop her from spreading her wings. She destroyed her cage and threw away the keys. She will become a warrior of the North and South Seas.” In general, it will not seem enough to everyone.
Czech Republic: Ukraine support scandal
Czech band Vesna presented their song My sister’s crown (“My sister’s crown”) on January 29 and immediately started a scandal. In the piece, support for Ukraine is presented in allegorical form. But many did not like the vagueness of ideas and images. However, on February 7, the Czechs voted for this composition in their competition, beating their closest rivals Pam Rabbit almost three times.
Composition, of course, to break.
For the first time in the country’s history, the Czechs will perform the chorus of the contest song in Ukrainian:
“Sister beautiful, ah, you are strong, good, single, your crown.”
And in the verse:
“My sister’s crown
I don’t know
I don’t know
No one has the right to rob
Vaughn beautiful
i self start
Vaughn is her own queen
I brought you there.”
The piece also includes Bulgarian, English and Czech languages.
What is unclear here?
- The clip is made in the form of a fairy tale, in which two sisters argue. Allegedly to rank them – the third force. But this is the message of the Russian propaganda that blames the West for the Russian occupation.
- All the members of the group are dressed rather strangely in a mix of Czech-Ukrainian-Russian attire.
- In general, the video was shot in a ridiculously sinister way, but with grotesque elements.
- One of the soloists of the VESNA group is Russian Olesya Ochepovskaya, who plays keyboards in the group. He joined the group in 2018, but on social networks he seems to be acting with the support of Ukraine.
There were angry comments on Ukrainian networks.
“What a horror you have shown! What fraternal peoples are with Russia? You have no right to compete in the Euro!!!”
“Using elements of Ukrainian culture is often arrogant, as long as there is a representative of the terrorist’s country in the group.”
And even the idea to ban the group from coming to the competition came up: “Eurovision takes place in the UK, but the host is Ukraine, just ban the arrival – that’s all.”
Vesna’s soloists decided to reveal the message of their song in a message posted on Twitter. According to them, their aim is to support and pay tribute to their close brother Ukraine. So Ukrainian etc. They sang. You can read all expression here.
My opinion. After the premiere, the thing was banned in Russia and Belarus – this is symptomatic.
Who are the purple guys in the video – it’s hard to say. Maybe power? They strangle a girl in a wreath with metal sticks. It’s also a very powerful moment when a girl who seems to personify Ukraine marvels at herself in the mirror and a purple monster suddenly rushes towards her and creates a shock – it really looks like the moment when the war started. allegorically.
Despite all the ambiguities, the song contains a heartfelt, even touching note of support for Ukraine. Despite the conditional clown, the song is poignant. She wants to cry more than laugh.
The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held this year with the slogan “United in Music”. The logo features hearts in the national colors of Ukraine and England. According to show artist Julio Jimed, the stage design was based on the principles of “unity, celebration and community”. “The architecture of the stage is inspired by the wide hugs, showrunners and guests from around the world who have opened their arms to Ukraine. I have focused in particular on the cultural aspects and similarities between Ukraine, England and Liverpool. From music, dance and art to architecture and poetry.
37 countries will participate in the competition. The first and second semi-finals will be played on 9 and 11 May, and the final will be played on 13 May 2023 in Liverpool, home of the Beatles. Recall, despite the fact that last year the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra won with the song “Stefania”, the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 was not held in our country due to the war with the Russian Federation. The British took the second place and it was decided that Eurovision would be held in England.
Source: Focus
Alfred Hart is an accomplished journalist known for his expert analysis and commentary on global affairs. He currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker, where he provides readers with in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues affecting the world today. With a keen insight and a deep understanding of international politics and economics, Alfred’s writing is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world we live in.