Kalush Orchestra receive exemption to leave Ukraine for Eurovision 2022 and pre-contest promotional tour
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Loading... - Freya Darren
- 03 Apr 2022
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Ukraine’s Eurovision 2022 entry Kalush Orchestra will be able to travel to Turin for the contest in May. The Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne announced the news on their official Instagram account. Next to that, they are also allowed to leave the country for a promo tour.
Previously, the Eurovision organisers had agreed to exempt Ukraine from the requirement to record a live-on-tape performance.
Kalush Orchestra permitted to leave Ukraine for Eurovision
Ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the musicians have not been able to perform together and prepare for the contest. They have been helping the Ukrainian population in different ways, through voluntary work and participation in Kyiv’s territorial defence.
Naturally, questions arose about whether Kalush Orchestra would be able to participate in the contest. Not only due to the devastation of the war, but also because of Ukraine’s imposed material law, which makes it impossible for men to leave the country (women and children are permitted to leave). However, the six members of the group have received permission from the state authorities to leave Ukraine for their performance in Turin.
Kalush Orchestra perform “Stefania” in Lviv
On Saturday, the six-piece group reunited in Lviv, one of the biggest cities of Western Ukraine. Ever since the start of the war, many residents from bombarded areas have sought refuge in the town.
On the city’s main square, Kalush Orchestra delivered a rendition of their Eurovision 2022 song “Stefania”. This marked the first public performance of the song since they participated in Ukraine’s preselection back in early February.
After the performance, lead singer Oleh Psiuk said that the performance in Lviv was meant as an in-person rehearsal. Prior to it, they had only been able to rehearse online. Fans will also note that the group now has a new backing rapper. Read More…
