Category: Ukraine

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine faces a turbulent time in "Vidbir 2026" as Jamala criticizes "terrible" submitted songs and legal battles over participation rules potentially changing. This year, even before the first note was heard on the Ukrainian "Vidbir 2026", the drama had already begun. At its center is none other than Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, who was appointed this year as the musical producer of the competition. But instead of a national creative celebration, Jamala found herself dealing with what appears to be an artistic crisis in Ukrainian music. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); "It Simply Tears Me Apart" A month and a half have passed since September 4th, the day when the song submission window for "Vidbir 2026" opened. The country that won first place twice in the last decade, and has maintained its position in the top ten for five consecutive years, now stands before what appears to be a musical crisis. Jamala, the musical producer of "Vidbir 2026" and the singer who brought...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne published on Instagram that German Nenov will be the new artistic director of "Vidbir 2026". What experience does he bring with him to the Ukrainian national final? Ukraine is preparing for Eurovision 2026: the national broadcaster Suspilne confirmed that German Nenov will return as the artistic director of "Vidbir 2026". The announcement was made via Suspilne’s official Instagram account, where his extensive experience in television, music, and Eurovision productions was emphasized.   הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם   ‏‎פוסט משותף על ידי ‏‎Євробачення Україна‎‏ (@‏‎suspilne.eurovision‎‏)‎‏ A Familiar Name in the Eurovision World Nenov, a well-known Ukrainian director based in Kyiv, has an impressive portfolio in both television productions and music videos. Eurovision fans already know his work: he served as Ukraine’s artistic director at Eurovision 2023, when the duo Tvorchi represented the country with “Heart of Steel”. He also directed Ukraine’s stagings at Junior Eurovision in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, he was responsible for the staging of Luxembourg’s...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Olena Usenko eyes Eurovision 2026 as Ukraine prepares Vidbir. The Junior Eurovision 2021 star hopes to compete for the chance to represent her country. Ukraine is already gearing up for Eurovision 2026, and as the national broadcaster opens the song submission window for its national selection, reports are emerging about artists planning to compete for the honor of representing Ukraine on the Eurovision stage. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Olena Usenko, who represented Ukraine at Junior Eurovision 2021 with the song "Vazhil," officially announced her intention to submit a song for the national selection. Usenko, who finished in sixth place at the Junior Eurovision, confirmed that work on her entry has already started. Usenko has expressed interest in taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2024, when she originally planned to enter Vidbir. However, she ultimately did not appear on the participants’ list. Usenko has not clarified whether she withdrew voluntarily or was simply not selected to compete. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle ||...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ukraine’s national broadcaster Suspilne has opened the submission window for “Vidbir 2026”, set to take place in February. Ukraine is already gearing up for Eurovision 2026 with the opening of the song submission window for “Vidbir 2026.” The musical producer of “Vidbir 2026”, Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, will curate an initial shortlist of 15 songs that will advance to live auditions. From this pool, nine artists will be chosen to compete in the final, which will be held in February in a live show format. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); “You are representing not only yourselves but also Ukraine” In addition, the Ukrainian public will select a tenth finalist via online voting, choosing from six shortlisted candidates. The submission deadline is October 27th. Jamala, who this time serves as the national selection’s music producer, stressed that contestants must begin their preparations immediately: “Don’t be afraid to experiment and to stay true to yourselves - that’s what Eurovision values, and that’s what leaves...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Suspline, Ukraine’s national broadcaster, brings Jamala as music producer for Vidbir 2026, aiming for another Eurovision win. Details and registration info coming soon Jamala, the winner of Eurovision 2016, will serve as the music producer for Ukraine’s national Eurovision selection (Vidbir) in 2026, according to a statement from the Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspline. “Since winning Eurovision, I’ve learned an important lesson: there are no accidental winners”, said Jamala. “Victory always comes down to readiness, resilience, and professionalism. That’s exactly what I want to see in future contestants”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Permanent Judge and Esteemed Musician Since her victory in Eurovision 2016 with her song “1944” Jamala has judged seven national selections. She is also a recipient of the Shevchenko Prize, Ukraine’s highest cultural award for 2024, and served as a member of the Grammy Awards jury. This marks her debut as music producer for the national selection. A New Challenge and Great Honor "For me, the role of music producer...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Ziferblat face extensive costs for representing Ukraine at Eurovision 2025; details on the band’s financial burden and ongoing payments revealed. Members of Ziferblat, who represented Ukraine in Eurovision 2025, recently revealed the enormous expenses needed to take the stage in Basel. These costs included costumes, staging, technical support, logistics, promotion, and production arrangements. The total sum, approximately $120,000 (approximately €102,700), remains a considerable financial burden for the band months after the contest. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Costs Covered by the Band According to band members, part of the amount was offset by crowdfunding and local sponsors, but the bulk was paid directly from their own pockets. The group’s guitarist, Valentin Leshchinsky, admitted in an interview that they are still paying off the debts from their Eurovision 2025 participation: “We still have an outstanding amount for Eurovision. We’re still repaying it, but it isn’t critical”. He said. Between Dreams and Expenses The story of Ziferblat joins other Ukrainian and international artists who have testified about the high...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Jamala, winner of Eurovision 2016, received the "Order of Princess Olga" from President Volodymyr Zelensky during Ukraine’s Independence Day in Kiev. The award highlights her contribution amid the ongoing war. The Ukrainian singer Jamala, winner of Eurovision 2016, was among those honored by President Volodymyr Zelensky at Ukraine’s Independence Day ceremonies held yesterday in Sofia Square, central Kiev. The artist was awarded the "Order of Princess Olga", Third Class - a distinction given to women in Ukraine for personal achievements in public, industrial, social, scientific, educational, cultural, and other fields. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Joy Mixed With Sorrow "It was wonderful and unexpected to receive an award on Independence Day. It is a mixture of joy and sorrow at the same time, because among those honored are women receiving this award posthumously". The singer wrote on social media: "We live in a reality where every day carries a heavy price that continues to grow, because every day we lose our people. We must thank...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, to be held in Vienna, Austria. The method for selecting Ukraine’s entry has not yet been decided. The Ukrainian national broadcaster Suspilne has confirmed the country’s participation in Eurovision 2026, which will take place in Vienna, Austria. Ukraine is the 24th country to express interest in participating in Eurovision 2026, following Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the host country, Austria. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The head of Ukraine’s Eurovision 2026 delegation, Oksana Skybinska, emphasized that participating in the contest is an invaluable opportunity to present the nation’s unique musical heritage. “Eurovision is a wonderful chance to highlight Ukraine’s musical DNA. The scale of the event and its wide media exposure will provide an excellent stage to showcase our artists and to demonstrate our ability to create contemporary and original European music, even under the difficult conditions of war”. Skybinska explained. She also hinted at upcoming surprises planned for...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Preparations for Eurovision 2026 are underway, and in Ukraine the excitement is palpable—numerous singers have expressed interest in representing the nation, while former stars are vocal about their own ambitions and opinions. Who will represent Ukraine at the next Eurovision? After the strong showing by Ziferblat at Eurovision 2025, Ukraine’s music scene is abuzz with speculation and excitement. Ukrainian performers are already busy preparing for the coming year, and the local press is actively covering the mounting drama. Several previous representatives have announced whether they intend to return—or not—and have not held back in sharing their thoughts about their fellow artists and who might be worthy of representing Ukraine on the Eurovision stage. Notably, Ukraine has yet to officially confirm its participation in Eurovision 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Katerina Pavlenko, who represented Ukraine in 2021 alongside the band Go_A and recently began performing solo under the name Monokate, has not ruled out a possible Eurovision comeback. However, she notes...

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Kateryna Pavlenko, the lead singer who brought Go_A to Eurovision fame, has departed to launch a solo career. Her exit raises questions about the group’s future - what lies ahead? Is the Band Splitting Up? Kateryna Pavlenko, the prominent lead singer of the band Go_A, has unexpectedly announced that she’s putting the group’s collaborative career on hold and embarking on a personal journey as a solo artist. The news surfaced shortly after Go_A - widely remembered for their hit song "SHUM," which secured Ukraine a fifth-place finish in Eurovision 2021 - now finds itself facing significant uncertainty. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Waves of Reactions to Her Departure It’s not every day a singer leaves a band after such a landmark achievement on the Eurovision stage. Pavlenko is regarded as one of the most beloved figures in the Ukrainian music scene, known for her distinctive voice and uncompromising spirit. Still, since the Eurovision contest, the popular band has struggled to...