Zelenskyy Promises To Hold Eurovision 2023 In Mariupol After Ukraine Victory

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to host next year's Eurovision song contest in Mariupol.

Last night, Saturday 14 May, Kalush Orchestra took home the crown for Ukraine in the Eurovision song contest.

Despite Ukraine still currently being under attack by Russia, Zelenskyy has promised the country will 'do [it's] best' to host next year's contest in Mariupol.

Taking to Telegram, Zelenskyy expressed plans to rebuild the city by the time the next Eurovision song contest takes place.

He said: "Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision!

"We will do our best to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in Ukrainian Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt! I am sure our victorious chord in the battle with the enemy is not far off."

As well as performing and winning the show, the frontman of Kalush Orchestra, rapper Oleh Psiuk, made a moving speech addressing the conflict in his home country.

He referenced Mariupol, specifically calling out for Ukrainian fighters to be freed from Azovstal steel plant, where they have remained trapped.

As of 21 April, it was estimated that around 2,000 fighters remain inside the steelworks, as well as 1,000 civilians, with the city occupied by Russian forces.

"Help Azovstal, right now," Psiuk said.

Addressing the nature of Psiuk's speech, the European Broadcasting Union expressed its 'understand[ing]'.

The union stated: "We understand the deep feelings around Ukraine at this moment and believe the comments of the Kalush Orchestra and other artists expressing support for the Ukrainian people to be humanitarian rather than political in nature."

Psiuk thanked his country and 'everyone around the world who voted for Ukraine … The victory is very important to Ukraine. Especially this year'.

While Zelenskyy has promised Ukraine will 'do [it's] best' to host next year's Eurovision song contest in Mariupol, the city, according to its mayor, is 90 percent destroyed.

In March, Ukraine claimed an art school in Mariupol containing around 400 civilians was bombed.

It followed news of a theatre in the city also being attacked, despite the Russian word for 'children' being written outside the building to try and deter the enemy.

While Putin's 'special military operation' in Ukraine continues, soldiers in Kyiv viewed the country's Eurovision win as a positive sign for the future.

Military medic, Tetyana, said: "We had a victory: today in Eurovision, but soon we will have a victory in Ukraine-Russian war."

"We will also win. We have shown that we can not only fight, but we can also sing very nice. The next Eurovision we will host in liberated Mariupol," a soldier named Vitaliy agreed.

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