Ukraine has released the final version of its Eurovision 2026 entry, “Ridnym”, to be performed by Leléka on the Eurovision stage this May. Listen to the song.
In the past few minutes, the final version of Ukraine’s entry for Eurovision 2026, “Ridnym”, has been released, to be performed by singer Leléka on stage in the second half of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2026, which will take place on 14 May in Vienna, Austria. At this point, Ukraine is ranked 10th in the betting odds.
Listen to Ukraine’s Eurovision revamp of “Ridnym”:
The dramatic change in the song
In the new version of the song, the lyrics remain identical, and the message of human resilience, hope and renewal in the face of a reality marked by destruction and painful change clearly stays the same. To reinforce this message, the melody accompanying the song has become far more dramatic, powerful and sweeping. The song describes extreme transformations and situations in which things fade and disappear (“green into rust”, “leaves in the flames”) – and these changes can be felt through the accompanying music, especially in certain sections where the dramatic quality of the melody reaches its peak.
LELÉKA – Who Are You?
Leléka, whose full name is Viktoria Leléka, is a Ukrainian folk‑jazz singer. She leads a Ukrainian‑German ensemble of the same name, Leléka, with which she has released three studio albums and two EPs. The ensemble has received prestigious awards, including the Creole Global Music Contest in 2017, and the prize for Best Young European Band at the Burghausen Jazz Festival in 2018. In 2020, the ensemble created and produced the music for the Ukrainian historical television series “There will be people”. The group has continued to create and gain recognition, and in 2021 it won the “Band of the Year” award at the Deutscher Jazzpreis festival.
Ukraine at Eurovision 2026
“Ridnym” is the title of the song to be performed by Leléka, representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria, in the second half of the second semi-final, which will be held on 14 May. The song was written by Viktoria Leléka, who also performs it, together with Adama Cefalu (Adama Cefalu). At this point, Ukraine is placed 10th in the betting odds.
The main message of the song is that precisely through confronting fear and transforming pain into joy, people can grow to new heights and lead the way home, much like trees that rise even higher after the storm.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Ukraine’s 21st 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.
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Ido Na’aman is a journalist, content creator, and commentator specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. His extensive knowledge and in-depth familiarity with the Eurovision world are reflected in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
