In Israel, Ukrainian Eurovision band calls for end to war

JERUSALEM: The frontman for the group representing Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest called Tuesday for people across the world to protest Russia’s invasion of his country, as he visited Israel.

“Our message is this: everyone who hears us, who knows about the situation in Ukraine, can help us even if he doesn’t solve these issues,” said Kalush Orchestra’s Oleh Psiuk.

The group is one of 24 Eurovision acts visiting the country for a four-day “Israel Calling” promotional event.

“Everyone has social networks... everyone can just speak about it and write about it, tag people in social networks, talk about how to stop the war in Ukraine,” he told reporters.

“If everyone does that, this war will end very soon,” he added. “If every day you do something to end the war, this war will not happen in other countries.”

The six members of Kalush — a favourite to win the Eurovision contest in the Italian city of Turin next month — had to get special permission to leave Ukraine.

The visit was the first time since Russia’s February 24 invasion that they could practise their Eurovision entry, hip-hop lullaby ‘Stefania’, together in person after weeks of online rehearsals, Psiuk said.

Kalush Orchestra recorded their song contest ‘postcard’ — a video clip showcasing Italian scenery — against a green-screen backdrop at the Jewish Agency headquarters in Jerusalem on Tuesday.

The group arrived in Israel a day earlier after the semigovernmental body, which is primarily in charge of processing immigration for Jews abroad, facilitated their arrival for the event, a Jewish Agency spokeswoman told AFP.

They also met with dozens of thrilled Ukrainian teen refugees who had immigrated to Israel, and performed two songs.

“It’s like a therapy, also everybody will see that Ukrainian people (are) not like a tragedy or something,” said Anastasiia Yeremenko, a Ukrainian Jewish refugee.

“We are brave, we are smiling, we love each other, we love this world and we don’t want war,” the 19-year-old said.

Recent arrival Sonya Yevgenieva, 18, said Kalush Orchestra was a big deal back home.

“We all really like their music... Of course we all know them and it’s so cool that we can meet them and see them,” she said.

Later Tuesday, Kalush thrilled dozens of Ukrainian refugees living in Jerusalem hotels with another short performance.

Kalush and the other 23 groups will be part of a show in Tel Aviv on Thursday, wrapping up “Israel Calling”.