Ukraine, Eurovision and the President’s online appearance request
In talks about Eurovision 2023, the Ukrainian government and its culture ministry addressed a surprising moment tied to the competition’s final. Oleksandr Tkachenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy, stated that President Volodymyr Zelensky personally asked the organizers for a chance to address the audience online during the final. The British press, however, reported that the president had no knowledge of any such request.
According to Tkachenko, the request to have Zelensky speak in the final was submitted last Saturday, and a subsequent email confirmation denying the request arrived two days later. The Ministry of Culture subsequently clarified that Zelensky had not initiated the bid to appear in the Eurovision 2023 finale. Tkachenko added that the situation was extraordinary and suggested that a brief, pre-recorded greeting from the Ukrainian president would be appropriate for a show hosted by the country that year.
The conversation around the incident reflects broader questions about how political figures engage with large cultural events that straddle entertainment and public diplomacy. Eurovision has often served as a stage where national narratives intersect with music, and the 2023 edition was no exception. While the topic drew attention to the logistics of live appearances and pre-recorded messages, it also highlighted how organizers balance neutrality with the expressions of those representing nations on the world stage. The Ukrainian side emphasized that Zelensky was not aware of any plans to appear, while recognizing the potential impact such a moment could have on viewers across Europe and beyond.
Meanwhile, the competition’s results in 2023 brought a moment of global attention to the event itself. Swedish singer Loreen, representing Sweden, won the contest for the second time, joining a small group of artists who have achieved multiple victories in the history of Eurovision. Loreen’s triumph added a notable chapter to the contest’s long-running tradition of revisiting and reinterpreting pop anthems on an international stage. The victory underscored the enduring appeal of Eurovision as a platform where artistic expression and national pride meet a shared, cross-border audience.