🇺🇦 Road to Malmö: Ukraine

photo: UA:PBC

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ukraine.

Alyona Alyona

Aliona Olehivna Savranenko, known professionally as Alyona Alyona, is a groundbreaking Ukrainian rapper and songwriter, born on June 14, 1991, in Kapitanivka, Novomyrhorod Raion, Kirovohrad Oblast. With a background in education, holding two bachelor’s degrees and experience as a kindergarten teacher, she transitioned from teaching to pursue music full-time. Gaining attention with her debut video for “Rybky” in October 2018, Alyona Alyona’s career quickly ascended. Her first album, “Pushka,” released in April 2019, showcased her storytelling prowess and unique approach to rap, earning her acclaim as “Ukraine’s most unlikely rap star” by Vogue. Alyona Alyona’s impact extended internationally with her signing to Def Jam Polska in 2020 and winning the Public Choice Award at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards in 2021. 

Jerry Heil

Yana Oleksandrivna Shemayeva, known as Jerry Heil, is a versatile Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and YouTuber, born on October 21, 1995, in Vasylkiv, near Kyiv. Her musical journey was shaped by her studies at the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music and the Kyiv Conservatory. Adopting the stage name Jerry Heil at 15, she launched a YouTube channel in 2012, covering songs and sharing vlogs, which caught the attention of notable musicians, including Sviatoslav Vakarchuk from Okean Elzy. Signing with Vidlik Records in 2017, Heil’s debut EP, “De miy dim,” marked her professional entry into music. Her career further blossomed with hits like “Okhrana, otmyena,” leading to her debut album “Ya, Yana.” Heil’s distinctiveness continued with her engagement in Vidbir, notably winning Vidbir 2024 alongside Alyona Alyona with “Teresa & Maria” for Eurovision 2024. Fluent in multiple languages and a committed vegan, Heil’s personal and artistic choices are closely intertwined, reflecting her unique identity and values in the music industry.

Vidbir

Vidbir is the name of the Ukrainian national selection. The contest this year contained 11 entries. One of them was added in a late stadium as a wildcard, as a winner of an online election. One former Eurovision participant was among the contestants: MĂ©lovin. The singer presented the song “Dreamer” and was the runner up of the contest. Following the completion of the performances, the Diia app (an app especially for the Ukrainian diaspora) experienced a malfunction, which caused the voting period to be prolonged and resulted in the postponement of the results announcement to February 4. 

Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 2003, Ukraine debuted in the contest. Already one year later, the country had its first victory: Ruslana won the contest with “Wild dances”. Ukraine won again in 2016 with Jamala‘s “1944” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra and “Stefania”. Ukraine never failed to reach the Grand Final, reaching the top-3 on no less than 6 occasions.

photo: EBU

The Bookmakers

It looks like Ukraine is gonna be succesful: in the betting odds Ukraine is currently the 3rd country in chances to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

The song

This is the song:

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đź“· EBU/Corinne Cumming The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 winner has been revealed after a dazzling Grand Final at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna. Dara won the contest with “Bangaranga”, representing Bulgaria, and finished the night with  points. The victory brought a dramatic conclusion to the 70th edition of the contest, which once again united millions of viewers across Europe and beyond. From the first notes of the performance, Dara stood out with a staging concept that combined strong vocals, clear storytelling and a memorable visual identity. A winning performance with impact “Bangaranga” became one of the most talked-about entries of the season thanks to its instant hook, emotional build and confident live delivery. During the Grand Final, the performance connected with both juries and viewers, turning early expectations into a winning result. Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026 in spectacular fashion, as DARA’s “Bangaranga” topped both the jury vote and the public televote in Vienna. The country scored 516 points in the Grand Final, turning its Eurovision comeback into a historic first victory. The result was clear proof of broad appeal. Professional juries rewarded the entry with 204 points, while viewers across Europe and the Rest of the World added another 312 points. That rare double gave Bulgaria the strongest possible mandate: technical recognition from experts and emotional support from audiences. A Eurovision victory built on impact “Bangaranga” arrived at the Wiener Stadthalle as one of the most energetic entries of the year. DARA combined sharp pop production with a confident stage presence, making the song feel immediate from the first beat. The performance was bold, polished and easy to remember, three qualities that often decide a Eurovision result. For Bulgaria, the win carries extra meaning. The country returned to the contest in 2026 after several years away, and its comeback quickly became one of the season’s biggest stories. Instead of simply rejoining the competition, Bulgaria went all the way and claimed the trophy for the first time. DARA’s victory also marks a personal breakthrough. Already known in Bulgaria and across the Balkan pop scene, she now has a major international platform. “Bangaranga” is likely to gain fresh momentum on streaming services, while the performance itself will remain one of the defining Eurovision moments of 2026. Why Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026 with juries and viewers The voting sequence underlined the strength of the entry. Bulgaria led the jury vote, then confirmed its win with the highest televote score of the night. That balance is important: many Eurovision entries succeed with either juries or viewers, but “Bangaranga” managed to connect with both. It also shows how effective the Bulgarian package was. The song had radio-friendly energy, the staging delivered arena impact, and DARA carried the performance with charisma and control. Nothing about the win felt accidental. It was exactly the kind of result that Eurovision fans remember long after the Grand Final. After the final votes were revealed, Bulgaria stood at the top of the scoreboard with a result that will change the country’s Eurovision story forever. From comeback participant to Eurovision champion, DARA and “Bangaranga” gave Bulgaria a night of celebration and a place in contest history.    

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