Road to Basel: Ukraine
Road to Basel: Ukraine! As the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Ukraine.
photo: EBU/Anya Wayne
Ziferblat
Ziferblat is a Ukrainian alternative rock band formed in Kyiv. The group consists of Valentyn Leshchynskyi, Danylo Leshchynskyi, and Fedir Khodakov. Known for their innovative sound that blends traditional Ukrainian musical elements with contemporary rock, Ziferblat has garnered a dedicated following within Ukraine’s vibrant music scene.​
“Bird of Pray” (What does AI say?)
Their Eurovision entry, “Bird of Pray,” is a poignant composition performed in both Ukrainian and English. The song’s lyrics delve into themes of hope and resilience, encapsulating the spirit of perseverance. Its evocative melody and heartfelt delivery have resonated with audiences, propelling it to significant acclaim. The chorus’s plea—”Fly, Bird, I’m begging you, please just live”—has been particularly impactful, symbolizing a universal yearning for freedom and survival.
National Selection Process
Ukraine selected its Eurovision 2025 representative through the national competition Vidbir 2025. Held on February 8, 2025, in Kyiv, the event featured ten finalists vying for the opportunity to represent the nation on the international stage. Ziferblat’s performance of “Bird of Pray” captivated both the jury and the public, securing their victory and the honor of representing Ukraine in Basel.
Here’s the full result:
- Ziferblat, “Bird of Pray“
- Molodi, “My Sea“
- Masha Kondratenko, “No Time To Cry“
- Khayat, “Honor“
- Fiïnka, “Kultura“
- ​DK Enerhetyk, “Sil“
- Krylata, “Stay True“
- Future Culture, “Waste My Time“
- Abiye, “Dim“
- Vlad Sheryf, “Wind of Change“
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!​
A Random Ukrainian Entry
Reflecting on Ukraine’s Eurovision history, random.org chose 2007: Verka Serduchka sang “Lasha tumbai”. From that moment on, Verka, who was the runner up in that year, was a special guest on many Eurovision occasion. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Verka decided never to sing “Lasha tumbai” again. From that moment on, the song was called “Russia goodbye”.
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Betting Odds
As of now, Ziferblat’s “Bird of Pray” is number 10 in the odds in order to win the contest. That is a good position. In semifinal 1’s odds to reach the final, Ziferblat has the 4th position. So… we can say that it is very likely for Ukraine to reach the final again!
We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing Ziferblat’s performance on the grand stage.
