The act and song to represent Ukraine was chosen on 7th February through their national final selection "Vidbir". A winner was declared after adding a 50-50 mix of jury and televoting points. Winning both parts of the vote and therefore off to Vienna in May is Leléka performing "Ridnym" (Native)
Leléka is on stage alone for the whole three minutes, however the use of video screens - for the viewers at home in particular - creates an interesting ever-moving palette which is much more exciting than the staging first suggests. The song seems to evoke a sense of strength and resilience through working together as a family/team/country during hard times and is sung in English and Ukrainian. Leléka wears a layered white dress, partnered with some chunky statement black jewellery. Leléka's movements, although mostly small and gestural, are made bigger by the jerky camerawork and echoed in the backdrop and floor screen. The lighting is minimal, almost monochrome, for the most part. To my ears, it sounds like a "Festivali i Këngës" ballad, the camerawork is very "Voilà" or "Voyage" coded while the staging feels very much in the Ukrainian oeuvre.
The end product is an atmospheric - bordering on avant garde - ballad which is more about conveying emotion and art, rather than a vehicle to bop along to. The chorus has a memorable lilt but nothing overly earwormy. The construction of the song utilises Leléka's impressive vocal dexterity and outstanding breath control whilst the backdrop gives the end of the song a warm optimistic glow. This is certainly one the technicians in the jury will appreciate as well as uniting the votes of the Ukrainian diaspora.
ARTIST - Leléka
SONG – Ridnym
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS – Adama Cefalu, Yaroslav Dzhus, Jakob Hegner, Viktoriia Leleka
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