Ukraine won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday with an entry which saw its politically charged lyrics cause further tensions with neighbouring Russia.
Singer-songwriter Jamala was crowned the winner for her haunting rendition of the ballad ‘1944’, which evoked the deportation of Crimean Tatars by Josef Stalin and has been interpreted as a criticism of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. As she collected her trophy, she pleaded for “peace and love”.
Before the final, which was held in Stockholm and seen by many as the most politicised edition of the competition to date, Jamala had said her victory would show that Europeans were “ready to hear about the pain of other people”.
Jamala, whose real name is Susana Jamaladynova, is herself a Crimean Tatar who has not been home since shortly after Russia’s 2014 annexation of the peninsula. Her parents and extended family still live there.
European people are not indifferent
“[If I win,] it will mean that modern European people are not indifferent, and are ready to hear about the pain of other people and are ready to sympathise,” Jamala told The Guardian by phone from the Swedish capital shortly before the contest.
Referring to her song’s lyrics, she said: “Of course it’s about 2014 as well. These two years have added so much sadness to my life. Imagine – you’re a creative person, a singer, but you can’t go home for two years. You see your grandfather on Skype, who is 90 years old and ill, but you can’t visit him. What am I supposed to do: just sing nice songs and forget about it? Of course I can’t do that.”
Accepting her Eurovision trophy, she said: “I know that you sing a song about peace and love, but actually, I really want peace and love to everyone.” She then thrust the glass microphone prize and yelled: “Thank you, Europe – welcome to Ukraine!”
Australian ‘Sound of Silence’ comes second
Guest nation Australia, represented by Dami Im’s ‘Sound of Silence’, came second, with favourites Russia in third, Bulgaria in fourth and Sweden fifth.
Justin Timberlake provided the half-time entertainment, opening his performance with his hit ‘Dance With Me’ before moving on to his new single, ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’.
Cyprus’ entry – Minus One with the song ‘Alter Ego’ – finished 21st with 96 points.
Before the contest began the popular Cypriot rock band even received a message from Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades who tweeted that they “rock”.
Source: The Guardian
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