Kalush - Stefania (Kalush..

Facts Kalush // Kalush Orchestra - "Stefania "Participant in the Eurovision Song Contest for UKRAINE. In times of crisis, it is a natural reaction to withdraw from daily life, set new priorities, focus on bare survival or even bury your head in the sand. All of this is perfectly fine and more than understandable. But there are also those who find inspiration even in the darkest times, who keep going, driven by the urge to make a difference and/or to bring forth something good out of all the pain and misery. In the case of Ukrainian band KALUSH, that is exactly what they have done: in a few weeks, their role as an artist has changed from mere entertainment and representing their home country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), to becoming the face and voice of a nation currently going through unbearable times. In the midst of a war that is causing the entire world to breathe and suffer, KALUSH has decided that it is more important now than ever to stand firm, hold on to their dreams and fight for what they believe in.

Like all other KALUSH and KALUSH Orchestra based works, it is based on true life experiences. "It's a song about my mother," explains frontman Oleh Psiuk, and he continues candidly, "I've never dedicated a song to her before, and I'm not sure if our relationship in the past was that close, but I know she definitely deserves this song.

Kalush Orchestra completed a story like no other by winning the Eurovision Song Contest final in Turin, Italy. Achieving 631 points from the 24 other competing nations, the Ukrainian band were crowned champions with their song 'Stefania'.

Delivering an emotional performance, the band, led by frontman Oleh Psiuk, held their nerve going into the final as favourites and showed the world just how vibrant and spectacular Ukrainian culture is - receiving a standing ovation from the Pala Alpitour Arena's 13,000 spectators, and undoubtedly winning the hearts and minds of millions more watching at home. They ended their performance with a heartfelt plea, "I ask a