Ukrainian national broadcaster confirms Illya Dutsyk as director for Leléka’s Eurovision 2026 entry “Ridnym”, promising brand-new staging and special effects in Vienna.
Eurovision month has officially arrived, and preparations for Eurovision 2026 in Vienna are reaching full speed. The Ukrainian national broadcaster, Suspilne, released official and intriguing details today, May 1st, regarding the planned performance for Leléka and her song “Ridnym“. Ukraine, consistently recognized for its mesmerizing visual presentations, is preparing several surprises for the stage.
Illya Dutsyk to Lead Artistic Vision
The man leading the artistic vision for the Ukrainian performance this year is director Illya Dutsyk. While this marks his debut on theEurovision stage, Dutsyk is no stranger to the world of the competition – he was the creative force behind the memorable staging for the band Ziferblat during the 2025 Ukrainian national selection.
According to the team, the concept for the performance in Vienna will be built around a journey from fragmentation and disconnection toward unity, with hope serving as the central motif. The clear objective of the staging is to create a powerful and immediate emotional connection with the audience both in the arena and at home.
“We had a strong creative connection from our very first conversation,” shared Dutsyk. “This is a story about a personal journey, about the many layers of our inner emotions, and a constant movement toward self-discovery. I hope we have managed to create something honest, vulnerable, and simultaneously very powerful – something that will resonate with viewers on a deeper level.”
Leléka herself did not hide her excitement regarding the collaboration: “It was very important for me to find someone who would feel this song in exactly the same way I do. Illya and I found a common language very quickly – and this performance was born out of trust and a sincere understanding of the song’s lyrics.”
A Visual Departure from Vidbir
One of the biggest updates for fans is the promise from the singer that the performance in Vienna will be significantly different from what was seen during the Ukrainian national selection, Vidbir 2026. She confirmed that this time, significant stage props and special effects will be integrated to give the song a much stronger visual dimension – without losing its intimacy.
Joining the team is choreographer Halyna Pekha, who worked closely with the artist to adapt her body language and stage movement to the psychological and internal state of the song.
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 May 14th. The song was written by Viktoria Leléka, who also performs it, together with Adama Cefalu.
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.
Currently, Ukraine is ranked 10th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
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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Roie 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.
