In the spotlight: Käärijä

Road to Vienna: Ukraine As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Ukraine.   Leléka: Ukraine’s Jazz singer Viktoriia Kornikova, known as Leléka, is a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and composer based in Berlin. She rose to international attention after winning Vidbir 2026, securing her spot as Ukraine’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.                                                                                                                                    Born on 10 November 1990 in Pershotravensk (now Shakhtarske), Ukraine, Leléka developed a passion for the arts at a young age. Initially trained as an actress at the Karpenko-Karyi Theatre University in Kyiv, she performed in stage productions, shaping her storytelling skills—now a key element of her music. Move to Germany and Musical Evolution In 2014, Leléka moved to Germany to focus fully on music. She studied jazz vocals and composition at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music in Dresden. During this time, she created a unique sound blending jazz with Ukrainian folk influences.                                                                                                                                            In 2016, she founded the Berlin-based band LELÉKA, combining international jazz with Ukrainian folk traditions. The group quickly gained recognition, winning major awards such as the Creole Global Music Contest (2017) and the European Jazz Award Burghausen (2018). Their discography includes Tuman (2019) and Sonce u Serci (2021), the latter earning a German Jazz Award nomination. The band also contributed music to the Ukrainian TV series And There Will Be People. Recent Projects Leléka continued exploring Ukrainian heritage through music with Rizdvo (2023), focused on Christmas traditions, and Kolysanky (2025), inspired by lullabies. She has performed widely across Europe, building a strong presence on the jazz and world music scene. Ridnym: A Song About Change and Renewal    Ridnym explores transformation, resilience, and emotional renewal. The track uses natural imagery and atmospheric storytelling to show that change is inevitable—and often necessary for growth. From Loss to Strength Rather than presenting loss as defeat, “Ridnym” frames it as part of a cycle. The song highlights how accepting difficult moments can lead to healing, strength, and new beginnings. Themes of Identity and Connection At its core, the track focuses on facing fear, overcoming hardship, and staying connected to one’s roots. It emphasizes perseverance and shared experience, creating a strong sense of belonging and continuity. Cultural Depth and Ukrainian Influence The use of Ukrainian-language passages adds authenticity and emotional depth. These elements connect tradition with modern music, enriching the song’s message and broadening its global appeal. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest Ukraine has a distinguished history in the Eurovision Song Contest, having participated since 2003. The country has achieved three victories: in 2004 with Ruslana‘s “Wild Dances,” in 2016 with Jamala‘s “1944,” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra‘s “Stefania.” But in fact, Ukraine did always score well. It is the only country that always reached the final! The Bookmakers With a predicted 9th place in the final and a third-place ranking in the semi-finals, Ukraine looks set to qualify with ease once again this year