Ukraine clinched the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 title with a total of 631 points, as Kalush Orchestra performed the moving song Stefania in Turin. The ensemble finished ahead of England, which earned 466 points, and Spain with 459 points, signaling a clear victory for the Ukrainian act on the grand stage.
The song Stefania serves as a tribute to the mother of Kalush Orchestra’s frontman and stands as a salute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people amid the ongoing conflict and foreign pressure facing the country. The track blends personal homage with a broader message of solidarity and endurance in the face of adversity.
Beyond the music itself, the victory represented a significant moral and media win for Ukraine. It highlighted substantial support from juries and a strong wave of public backing across participating nations, reinforcing Ukraine’s message on the international stage.
‘Stefania’ by Kalush Orchestra | This is the song that gave Ukraine victory at Eurovision 2022.
During the results, the act received the maximum 12 points from several countries including Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Romania, and Lithuania. The Ukrainian national jury also awarded 12 points to England, marking a moment of regional recognition within the contest framework.
After the performance, Kalush Orchestra used the moment to call for support for soldiers under siege at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. A member of the group urged the audience and viewers to help Ukraine and to assist the defenders at Azovstal in the moment of critical need.
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Oleg Psyuk, the group’s frontman, expressed gratitude for the victory, underscoring how meaningful the triumph was for Ukraine and for the daily hard work the participants invested in preparing for the contest. The emotional response from the team reflected a sense of national pride and international appreciation for their performance.
The leadership of Ukraine, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, acknowledged the achievement and pledged continued efforts to support Ukraine’s cultural and national identity in the face of ongoing conflict. The president hinted at ambitious plans for future Eurovision participation, emphasizing Ukraine’s intent to host the event and to showcase resilience on the European stage.
Zelensky: “Our courage affects the world, our music conquers Europe”
The message from the Ukrainian leadership affirmed that courage and cultural expression can influence global perception and support. The president stated that Ukraine would aim to host Eurovision in the future in Mariupol, highlighting the city as a symbol of endurance and unity for the Ukrainian people. The event also featured a tides of solidarity messages from many participating nations, with flags and peaceful expressions of support becoming a prominent element of the Turin festival experience.
The opening gala highlighted the diversity of the performances, including an international collaboration that featured a multilingual segment led by a prominent Italian artist. The 25 acts—from the Czech Republic to Estonia—took the stage in Turin, contributing to a vibrant showcase of European music and culture amid a highly charged geopolitical backdrop.