Ukraine’s national broadcast, UA:PBC, has announced the longlist of participating artists in its national selection for Eurovision 2023 – Vidbir.
Who’s on the longlist?
In a press release, Suspilne announced a total of 36 artists from across Ukraine that had made it to the longlist to take part in Vidbir. These artists are:
- 2TONE
- Angelina
- DAYTON
- Drevo
- Elysees
- DEMCHUK
- FIINKA
- Havkа
- Jerry Heil
- Iana Kovaleva
- Kozak Siromaha
- KRUTЬ
- Lue Bason
- Moisei
- Olivan
- OOHLA
- Oy Sound System
- SASHA
- Seréen
- sexnesc
- Shy
- SKYLERR
- SOWA
- Tember Blanche
- Tery
- TVORCHI
- Victoria Niro
- Vynohradova
- Zetetics
- Лилу45
- Макс Пташник
- Мія Рамарі
- Роялькіт
- Саша Фадєєва
- ТÓНКА
- Циферблат
Familiar Vidbir faces
Of the 36 announced participants, a number have appeared in the national selection previously. Lue Bason, alias of Yurii Kalanosh, is the lead singer of the band CLOUDLESS, who attempted to represent Ukraine in 2020 and 2022. Jerry Heil, KRUTЬ and TVORCHI have all also taken part in the 2020 edition of the competition. All three reached the final, finishing in 6th, 3rd and 4th respectively.
Speaking at the release of the longlist, Music Producer for Vidbir 2023 Dmytro Shurov said:
I am personally interested in Ukrainian music not freezing but developing in all directions so that our all possible music niches and styles have their heroes. I believe that, in the current time of war and total uncertainty in the lives of musicians, this selection gains special importance: we are not only choosing those who deserve to represent Ukraine at the contest but also have an opportunity to hear a wide range of Ukrainian music that is being composed here and now, no matter what.
Dymtro Shurov, Music Producer for Vidbir 2023
All 36 artists will now be invited to audition for producers at UA:PBC. The final list of participants will be revealed no later than the 17th of November, one month before Vidbir is due to take place.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored eight top-five placements, with an extra three top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest in 2004 with Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” and again in 2016 with Jamala’s “1944”. Jamala’s win made history for Ukraine, as it became the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2022, Kalush Orchestra represented Ukraine in the 66th edition of the Contest with their song “Stefania”. The band scored 614 points, finishing in first place, marking Ukraine’s third victory.
What do you make of the longlist? Which artist are you most excited to see? Which of these artists will make it to the final shortlist? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we gear up for the final of Vidbir 2023!
News Source: UA:PBC
Photo Credit: Suspilne Media
