Ukraine at Eurovision 2025: Band Ziferblat, discuss their song’s meaning, staging changes, and the Instagram group for contestants. Watch the full interview!
In a special interview with Euromix, Valentyn Leshchynskyi – guitarist, founder, and songwriter of Ukraine’s Eurovision 2025 representatives, the band Ziferblat, performing the song “Bird of Pray” – opens up about the track’s meaning, upcoming changes to their Eurovision staging, and his thoughts on this year’s competing entries. He also sends a special message to Euromix viewers. Watch the full interview:
Creating “Bird of Pray”: From Acoustic Roots to a Rock Anthem
Valentyn Leshchynskyi, founder of Ziferblat, Ukraine’s Eurovision 2025 representatives, will perform “Bird of Pray” as the fifth song in the first semi-final on May 13. How are you doing?
“Hello everyone, thank you, I’m fine. We just had a rehearsal, about two hours ago, and I’m very excited because our Eurovision journey starts in just six weeks, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Let’s dive right in, What was the experience like winning “Vidbir” (Ukraine’s national selection)?
“Of course, we were expecting this result because it was our third attempt – and finally, we did it. I was very happy, of course, because this has been my childhood dream. On one hand, I was thrilled to reach the final, but on the other, considering the situation in Ukraine over the past three years, you realize the real purpose of participating. Ten years ago, it would have been all about the music – but now, it’s not just about that. It’s a big mission for Ukraine, to remind Europe about what’s happening. So it’s not only music anymore. But yes, I’m excited, because as I said, it’s been my childhood dream.”
Can you tell us a bit about the song? Is it personal? What was the creative process like?
“Last year we participated with a song called Place I Call Home and we finished second, so I decided to create something more complex – a song with powerful instrumental sections and lyrics in Ukrainian. I started writing Bird of Pray at the beginning of June, just with my acoustic guitar. After composing the instrumental parts, I started on the lyrics, and the image of a bird came to me – as a symbol of freedom and transformation. That’s how the song came to be. Then we all met as a band and arranged it together. As you can hear now, it’s a big track, with instrumental sections, choir parts sung by my brother, our vocalist Danyil (Daniel). It’s a very complex piece and of course, I love it.”
A Bigger Show in Basel: What to Expect on Stage
To be honest, I personally prefer the revamped Eurovision version you created after winning “Vidbir”. It feels more interesting. What can you tell us about the planned staging for Eurovision? Will it resemble the national final performance? Who is directing it?
“There were some good elements in our Vidbir staging, but naturally we want to change things – and we already have, since we’ve switched directors. What we’re preparing for Basel is much bigger – something huge. We want it to feel like a rock concert with a variety of visual elements – not just green grass and bright colors, but also lots of movement. There will be parts featuring the backing vocalists too. I hope it will turn into a massive performance, something like a big rock festival show.”
Are you also planning to change the outfits? Or keep them the same?
“Yes, we’ll be changing the outfits too. I wasn’t entirely satisfied with what we wore at Vidbir. They were okay, but they didn’t fully represent the band’s identity the way I want us to be seen. We’ll be working with a different stylist – a famous one – but I can’t reveal their name yet, it’s a secret. You’ll find out soon, maybe in two or three weeks we’ll make the announcement.”
Can you tell us about the three amazing women who performed with you at “Vidbir”? Will they join you in Basel?
“Yes. Well, they won’t be with us for the promo events. We performed in Amsterdam and we’ll be in Manchester and Madrid too, but it’s too complicated for everyone to attend these shows – plus, they have their own jobs. Of course, we need permission to leave Ukraine since we’re at war and under military service obligations. But yes, they’ll be with us for the semi-final and final. They are an essential part of our staging and the song. They’re doing amazing work.
Hrystyna Starikova sings like a bird – her voice is like a chirp, and her presence is crucial. We can’t do it without her. For the promo events, we’ll try to manage without them – I think I’ll sing the parts myself, since they won’t be on stage. But at Eurovision, Hrystyna will sing the intro, and Karina Sokolovska and Daryna Havryk will join her to perform the choir parts, just like in Vidbir.”
Top 5 Dreams and Friendly Competition
What’s your goal for the grand final? And I’m asking about the final because I’m sure you’ll qualify.
“That’s nice to hear, and I’m really glad you believe we’ll make it – because Ukraine always places high in Eurovision and always reaches the final. Our main goal is to remind Europe of the war. To spread our message and our feelings. But as musicians, of course we’d love to finish in the top 5. That would be a huge dream. I’m not saying first place, because I’m not sure we can win, but top 5 would be amazing. That’s our primary goal.”
Honestly, I believe you can. Have you listened to some of the other competing songs this year?
“I’ve heard about 10 to 15 songs, not the full list. For me, music is very important, and I usually need three or four listens to get into a song. I haven’t had the time to do that with all of them. Maybe once I’m in Basel – I arrive on May 3rd – I’ll take time to listen to all of them and add some to my playlists. But I don’t see the other contestants as rivals. I just want them to be my friends and to have good relationships with everyone. I don’t judge based on their songs. I just want to find a few tracks I enjoy and add them to my own list. Of course, I’ve already listened to some…”
Did any of them stick with you? One you particularly liked among the 14-15?
“From those, maybe Portugal and Latvia – and my current favorite, which I only discovered yesterday, is Australia’s Milkshake Man. I love that song.”
Have you had a chance to hear the Israeli entry by Yuval Refael?
“Unfortunately, that’s one I haven’t heard yet, sorry. I haven’t had time – but maybe today. I’ll find time to listen to it.”
Special Message
Is there a message you’d like to share with our viewers watching you now?
“I know many Ukrainians live in Israel, and I have a few friends – a lot of friends – living in Haifa and Tel Aviv. I want to say hello to all Ukrainians and Israelis. If you want to support us, we’d be very happy if you voted for us – if you like our song. I wish you all peace and the best things life can offer.”
Two last questions before we wrap up: there’s been a lot of buzz online about Fedir Khodakov – for all the hungry fans out there, is he single? What about the rest of the band?
“Fedir is engaged – he has a girlfriend. As for me and Danyil… let’s keep that a secret.”
Secrets are the best way, especially at Eurovision. And final question: what about the Instagram group we’ve all heard about with all this year’s participants? Are you part of it? What’s going on in there?
“We joined the group at the very beginning, when Sissal from Denmark created it. Everyone’s there – maybe two or three people are missing, I’m not sure exactly who. We share pictures, selfies, chat about Eurovision news. I even had a conversation with the Serbian representative – we decided to play FIFA 2025. It’s kind of like a school group chat.”
Valentyn from Ziferblat, thank you so much for this interview. We wish you all the best at Eurovision and we truly believe in you. Thank you and see you in Basel – we’ll be there!
“Thank you so much – see you in Basel!”
Watch the full interview with Ziferblat here:
Ukraine at Eurovision 2025
“Bird of Pray” is the name of the song that will be performed by Ziferblat, representing Ukraine in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2025, to be held on May 13 in Basel, Switzerland. The song was written by the three band members: Valentyn Leshchynskyi, Danylo Leshchynskyi, and Fedir Khodakov. This is the band members’ first song on the Eurovision stage. The song is performed in English and Ukrainian.
The song “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.
Currently, Ukraine is ranked 10th in the betting tables for Eurovision 2025.
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.
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.
