TURIN, Italy – Against the backdrop of a war in Europe, the hugely popular Eurovision Song Contest reaches its flamboyant climax Saturday night as 25 bands perform in front of a live audience in the northern Italian city of Turin, while millions more watch on television around the world.
The Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra is heavily tipped to win by bookmakers, which are giving the group that mixes traditional Ukrainian rhythms, costumes and dance moves with contemporary hip hop a 60% chance of winning.
Their song, “Stefania,” was written as a tribute to the frontman´s mother, but has transformed since Russia´s invasion on Feb. 24 into an anthem to the war-ravaged nation, as lyrics take on new meaning.
“I´ll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed,” Kalush Orchestra frontman Oleh Psiuk wrote according to AP.
The six-member, all-male band received special permission to leave the country to represent Ukraine and Ukrainian culture at the music contest. One of the original members stayed to fight, and the others plan to return as soon as the contest is over.
The winner is chosen in equal parts by panels of music experts in each competing nation and votes by the viewing public, leaving room for an upset. Britain´s Sam Ryder and Sweden´s Cornelia Jakobs are each given a 10% shot while the Italian duo of Mahmood & Blanco have a 6% chance of winning.
The winner takes home a glass microphone trophy and a potential career boost.
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