Andriy Danylko, the mastermind behind Ukraine’s Eurovision character Verka Serduchka, criticizes the country’s national selection, refusing to return as a judge until changes are made.
Andriy Danylko, the creative force behind Ukraine’s iconic Eurovision character Verka Serduchka, has publicly criticized the country’s national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest. Danylko, who served as a judge for the competition from 2016 to 2020 and returned this year after a three-year hiatus, has announced he will not reprise his role until substantial changes are implemented.
The Ukrainian star expressed disappointment with the current format of the national selection. In an interview for the Ukrainian program “I Gryanul Grem,” Danylko stated, “I won’t sit there anymore; I don’t want to. There’s nothing to judge right now. When they chose over three weeks, there was some conflict about who would make it to the final, some intrigue. But here, they’ve already chosen the artists. What is there to discuss? They’re all different.”
Danylko’s criticism stems from the recent changes to the selection process, which he believes have stripped the competition of its element of surprise and tension. He advocates for a return to the previous format used until 2020, which included two semi-finals and a final, arguing that this structure was more engaging for viewers.
Despite his criticism of the selection process, Danylko expressed support for Ukraine’s representatives at Eurovision 2024, particularly praising Jerry Heil and Alyona Alyona. He stated, “I’m glad that Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil went, I’m happy that they are the ones glorifying our country.”
As Ukraine prepares for its participation in Eurovision 2025, the impact of Danylko’s criticism on the national selection process remains to be seen. His comments have reignited discussions about the format and purpose of national selections in the broader context of Eurovision participation.
The controversy surrounding Ukraine’s selection process highlights the ongoing evolution of Eurovision as both a musical competition and a platform for cultural expression. As countries continue to refine their approaches to choosing representatives, the balance between entertainment, artistic merit, and national representation remains a delicate and often contentious issue.
The Legacy of Verka Serduchka
Verka Serduchka, Danylko’s alter ego, remains one of Eurovision’s most memorable acts. The character’s 2007 performance of “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” is often cited as a quintessential Eurovision moment, embodying the contest’s spirit of fun, extravagance, and cultural fusion.
Ukraine in Eurovision 2024
Jerry Heil and Alyona Alyona represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2024 with the song “Teresa & Maria.” The duo won the Ukrainian national selection “Vidbir 2024” and finished third in the Eurovision final with 453 points.
Their entry is notable for being the first since 2002 to place in the top 5 while performing second in the running order, a position traditionally considered challenging in Eurovision statistics.
Source: glavred
Eurovision 2025: This will be Ukraine’s 20th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Ukraine joined the competition in 2003 and has won it three times. Ukraine’s last victory was in Eurovision 2022 with the song “Stefania” performed by Kalush Orchestra.
