In the heart of Liverpool, amidst the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, the eclectic music competition Eurovision Song Contest crowned Swedish singer Loreen as its victor. On Saturday night, the artist’s powerful rendition of the ballad “Tattoo” outshone performances from 25 other countries, marking her second win in the competition and etching her name in Eurovision history.
The Journey to Victory
This is no small feat for the Stockholm-born diva. Loreen, 39, first won Eurovision in 2012 and has since become only the second performer to achieve this victory twice, putting her on par with Ireland’s Johnny Logan from the 1980s. This achievement also marked Sweden’s seventh Eurovision victory, equating it to Ireland’s record.
Loreen, visibly overwhelmed, expressed her heartfelt joy. “This is so beautiful,” she said. For her, returning to the competition was akin to reuniting with a family. “We’ve had an 11-year-long relationship. We know each other by now,” she added.
Eurovision United by Music
The Eurovision final was a fusion of the soul of Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, and the spirit of a war-torn Ukraine. The competition, operating under the slogan “united by music,” integrated elements from the war-stricken nation into the show, reminding viewers of the ongoing crisis.
The opening film featured the 2022 Eurovision winners, Kalush Orchestra, performing in the Kyiv subway, a tune picked up by musicians in the U.K., demonstrating the power of music as a unifying force. The folk-rap band Tvorchi, Ukraine’s Eurovision entry, made a compelling appearance in the Liverpool Arena, their performance echoing the resilience of their homeland.
Loreen’s Winning Song and Other Performances
Loreen’s deeply emotional love anthem was favored by bookies and won the most votes from professional juries in Eurovision’s complex voting system. Her main competition came from Finland’s Käärijä, whose rap-pop party anthem “Cha Cha Cha” won the public vote.
The Eurovision Song Contest, now in its 67th year, bills itself as the world’s largest music contest. The competition encourages entrants to combine catchy tunes and stunning visuals into performances capable of captivating millions of viewers. From Portugal’s cabaret-style singing to Australia’s ’80s stadium rock, the array of performances showcased the diverse musical tastes of the continent.
Despite the global tensions and the palpable uncertainty, the Eurovision Song Contest once again proved its ability to bring nations together through the universal language of music.
