Ukraine steal the show
FROM the political to the ridiculous, the first 10 countries to make the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest grand final were revealed in Italy on Wednesday.
There were 17 nations in contention in the first semi-final, with Switzerland, Armenia, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, Norway, Greece, Ukraine, Moldova and Netherlands scoring the top combined jury and public votes.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were among the most popular winners –
and favourites to claim this year’s singing Olympics – with their song Stefania.
The hip hop meets traditional Ukrainian folk piece is not only one of the strongest entries but has become an anthem for their homeland in the grip of the Russian invasion.
Turin’s Pala Olimpico venue erupted during their performance while hundreds of media in the press centre supported the country’s media representatives Vitalii Lirnyk and Iryna Shafinska, who wore suits that featured the names of besieged
cities in the yellow and blue national colours.
After the Covid-interrupted 2020 event and last year’s scaled-back contest in Rotterdam, the more upbeat pop numbers, many in native languages rather than English, resonated with the fans in the first semi.
Moldova’s Zdob si Zdub and Advahov Brothers with their irresistibly catchy Trenuletul were an overwhelming favourite with the audience and press centre.
Then there's the totally nuts Norway. The “alien” band
Subwoolfer, who remain in character even when not on stage, exemplify the kitsch madness Australians have always loved about Eurovision with their performance of Give That Wolf A Banana.
And Meghan Markle’s luscious locks have inspired Serbian artist Konstrakta’s entry In Corpore Sano, which translates as A Healthy Body.
The singer, who delivers the song in the second semi-final on Friday in her native language, decides the key to maintaining the controversial celebrity’s healthy hair is staying hydrated.
A surprising addition to the trio of hosts of the Italian broadcast was Lebanese born, England-raised pop star Mika; the Grace Kelly singer has a huge following in Italy where he has appeared on their X Factor.
Australia’s legion of Eurovision diehards will have to wait until Friday to exercise their voting power in the second semi-final, which features our representative Sheldon Riley singing his epic emotional song Not The Same.
SBS broadcasts the second semi live from 5am on Friday and it is repeated on Saturday at 8.30pm.