Calay News
Sweden’s Loreen made history by winning Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, England, with her song “Tattoo,” becoming the first woman to achieve this feat twice. Finland’s Käärijä, a rapper sporting green bolero sleeves, secured second place, winning the popular vote with “Cha Cha Cha.” However, Loreen maintained her lead after the jury votes from the 37 participating countries were tallied.
Overwhelmed by her victory, Loreen expressed her gratitude and compared it to returning to a family. Her win marked the second time a contestant had won the Eurovision Song Contest twice, following in the footsteps of Ireland’s Johnny Logan. Sweden now shares the record for the most successful Eurovision countries with Ireland, 49 years after Abba’s iconic triumph.
The 67th edition of the musical festival took place in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine, last year’s winner, who couldn’t host due to Russia’s invasion. The organizers navigated the delicate balance of showcasing Ukraine while avoiding overt political messages, which are prohibited in the contest. They largely succeeded in this endeavor.
The show featured a mix of pre-recorded videos from Ukraine and live performances in Liverpool, including a piano cameo by Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, during the opening sequence. However, the contest was marred by the Russian missile attack on Ternopil, Ukraine, where the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, the country’s representatives, were from. Two people were injured in the strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was barred from addressing the global audience due to the event’s non-political nature and rules against making political statements. Nevertheless, the spirit of Ukraine permeated the show, particularly during a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” that brought many in the audience to tears.
The grand final showcased 26 acts encompassing various musical genres, from ballads to heavy rock to rap. As is customary in Eurovision, some performances were eccentric and unconventional. Germany finished at the bottom of the table, just behind the United Kingdom, but no country received “nul points.”
The event was a resounding success, with thousands attending in person and millions tuning in on TV. It left a lasting impression on the people of Liverpool, who embraced the Ukrainian spirit and expressed pride in hosting the event.
