🇺🇦 Zlata Dziunka: “My stage performance will be very emotional and I hope that it will not leave anyone indifferent.”

As artists begin to arrive in Yerevan for this year’s Junior Eurovision, Rosie is joined by Ukraine’s representative for 2022, Zlata Dziunka. They discuss the inspiration and writing process behind her song “Nezlamna (Unbreakable)”, her musical dreams, and her reaction to seeing Kalush Orchestra win in Turin!

Hi Zlata, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us! You wrote your song Nezlamna (Unbreakable) alongside ILLARIA. Could you tell us a little bit about how the song came about? 

I live close to the border with Poland and I have seen so many mothers and children escaping the war. I helped them with what I could, like food and warm clothes, and after some time I wrote this song together with my vocal coach ILLARIA. I shared my thoughts, feelings and ideas with her, and she rhymed them for the song lyrics. 

After you won the national selection, the song was revamped. Could you give us some insight into the process of this and the changes you made? 

After the national selection I realized that I wanted to add even more power to it. Together with my vocal coach ILLARIA we worked on the arrangement to add more power and dynamics to the music. We also added more English text to the lyrics so that it is more understandable to the international audience. 

Ukraine won Eurovision this year with Stefania by Kalush Orchestra – how did it feel to win the contest? 

I was watching the show and strongly supporting Kalush Orchestra. I was confident about their victory and was so happy that my wish came true. 

You sing in a variety of different styles – blues, soul, jazz, and more! Which artists inspire you? 

I am inspired by Jamala, Cynthia Erivo, Adele, Lana del Ray and many more. 

You’ve travelled a lot performing at different music competitions. Where has been your favourite place to travel to so far, and where would you like to go that you haven’t yet been? 

I really enjoyed performing in countries like Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania. My big dream is to go to the US to study music at Berkeley. 

 What are you most looking forward to about going to Yerevan? 

I look forward to great emotions, new aquaintances and the performance on such a big stage! 

Can you give us any hints about what we might expect from you on stage at Junior Eurovision? 

My stage performance will be very emotional and I hope that it will not leave anyone indifferent.

About Zlata Dziunka

Ukraine’s Zlata Dziunka is fourteen, and no stranger to the stage–she has already performed internationally at Czechia’s Prague Arts Festival, Lithuania’s Zvaigzdziu Sonata 2022, and Poland’s Vistula Sounds 2022. Her song “Unbreakable” asks God what plans He has for her people and expresses her fears about the continuing war. Zlata comes from Rava-Ruska, in Lviv, in the west of Ukraine. Outside of singing, she plays the ukulele and likes to bake pastries.

Listen to Zlata’s Junior Eurovision entry, Nezlamna (Unbreakable) here!

Ukraine’s Junior Eurovision Journey

In 2006, Ukraine made their debut to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, with Nazar Slyusarchuk and the song “Khlopchyk Rock ‘n’ Roll” (Хлопчик рок ‘н’ ролл), which placed 9th. Since their debut, the Eastern European nation has participated 15 times, and even won once in 2012 with Anastasiya Petryk and her song “Nebo” (Небо). In 2021, Ukraine selected its representative through a national final, where Olena Usenko won the right to represent the nation with “Vazhil”, which managed to place 6th receiving 125 points from the jury and online vote.

Are you excited to see Zlata’s Junior Eurovision performance? Can Ukraine do the Eurovision and Junior Eurovision double in Yerevan? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tik-Tok as we prepare for Junior Eurovision 2022!

Photo Credit: UA:PBC