Ukraine at Eurovision 2025: Ziferblat won “Vidbir 2025” and will perform “Bird of Pray” on Eurovision 2025 stage in Basel, Switzerland. Listen to the song.

“Bird of Pray” is the song that will be performed by the band Ziferblat, representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The band will compete in the first half of the first semi-final, on May 13th, where they will try to advance to the grand final. The song was written by the three band members: Valentyn Leshchynskyi, Danylo Leshchynskyi, and Fedir Khodakov. This is their first song on the Eurovision stage. The song is performed in English and Ukrainian.

 

The band members took the stage that appeared as a flower garden. The lead singer wore 70s-style clothing in purple and blue, while the other two band members were dressed in purple. Three backup singers in purple also joined them on stage, with their appearance and vocal performance being significant throughout the song. The LED screens frequently changed colors, and at the end of the song, they “opened up” to project sunset colors.

“Bird of Pray” deals with hope and a plea for life, love, and freedom in difficult times. The band asks the addressee (the bird or the beloved) to fly, live, and share their heart with someone who cares. There’s a sense of longing for freedom and deep human connection. The song combines feelings of nostalgia, hope, and a request for care and love, using the powerful imagery of a flying bird as a symbol of freedom and hope.

At the beginning of the evening, nine Ukrainian Eurovision stars from the past performed an unforgettable rendition of “Smile With Me” by Nazariy Yaremchuk. Among the past stars were Ruslana, Eurovision 2004 winner, Jamala, Eurovision 2016 winner, Tymofii Muzychuk, Eurovision 2022 winner with Kalush Orchestra, and Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil, who ranked third last year.

 

Ziferblat – Who are you?

The Ukrainian band Ziferblat was formed in 2015 and consists of three members: Valentyn Leshchynskyi (guitarist), Danylo Leshchynskyi (lead vocalist), and Fedir Khodakov (drummer). The band has released about nine singles, one EP (in 2017), and an album called “Peretvorennia”. They attempted to represent Ukraine at Eurovision 2023 but didn’t make it to the final. In 2024, they competed in the national selection with the song “Place I Call Home“, finishing second.

 

 

 

“Vidbir 2025” Results:

The results of the Ukrainian national selection were determined by a jury panel (50%) and the audience (50%). The winning band, Ziferblat, was ranked first by the audience and second by the jury panel.

1. Ziferblat — “Bird of Prayer” (9+10) = 19
2. MOLODI — “My Sea” (7+9) = 16
3. Masha Kondratenko — “No Time to Cry” (8+8) = 16
4. KHAYAT — “HONOR” (10+6) = 16
5. FIЇNKA – “Kultura” (6+7) = 13
6. DK Energetik — “Sil” (3+5) = 8
7. KRYLATA — “STAY TRUE” (4+4) = 8
8. Future Culture — “Waste My Time” (5+2) = 7
9. Abyei — “Dim” (2+3) = 5
10. Vlad Sherif – “Wind of Change” (1+1) = 2

Click on the song title to listen!

 

“Bird of Prayer” – Lyrics:

Ya svitla shukaiu, hory zvernu
And I call you

Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Cares
Of
Me and my little bird of pray

Vertai-vertaisia dodomu, ridna stezhka
Spiv perelitnykh ptashok narodyt’ vesnu
I call you

Fly
Bird
I’m begging you
Begging you just
Care
Of
Me and my little bird

Fly like a bird
Where do you go
I’m begging you please just
Live
Share
My heart with someone who
Flies
Bird I’m begging you
Begging you please just
Live
Share My heart with someone who
Careѕ
Of
Me and my little bird of prаy

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.