Ukraine wins Eurovision with politically charged song

By Euronews

Published on 15/05/2016 - 16:34

Australia came in second, Russia third.

A jubilant Ukraine won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Jamala picked up the prize on Saturday night (May 14) for her song “1944”, about Stalin’s deportation of Crimean Tatars during World War II. A song seen by many as a political swipe at Russia, which annexed Crimea two years ago.

“It’s a big honour for me and, at the same time, a big responsibility,” Jamala said of her victory.

“I was sure that if you sing, if you talk about truth it can really touch people.”

Ukraine stuns Russia to win politically-charged #Eurovision contest https://t.co/UNYT9q3r9w #jamala1944 #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/VUCo0i1G33
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 15, 2016

Suspense until the end

Jamala won the highest score when counting both the jury’s and the viewers votes. The dual voting system meant there was suspense until the very end.

Australia led the evening with the jury, but finally came second with Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence” as viewers votes came in.

Meanwhile, Russia’s candidate Sergey Lazarev got the most support from viewers but less from the jury. He came in third.

“We tried so hard to represent our country in the best possible way. I think we managed. At least viewers across Europe put us first, and that’s the most important,” Lazarev said.