Ukraine takes the Eurovision Song Contest spotlight as the weirdest show on earth returns

2022-05-15T03:38:00.002-07:00

It tells you plenty about the Eurovision Song Contest that Norway's participants -- two grown men in wolf costumes who sing about bananas and the imminent consumption of their grandparents -- are flying relatively under the radar this year.

The continent's garish and much-loved singing competition returns in Turin, Italy on Saturday, but only one group is commanding the spotlight in the build-up: Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra.

The folk-rap group are runaway favorites in the betting markets and their presence at the tournament has captured the imagination of fans from every competing country.

"As we speak, our country and our culture is under threat. But we want to show that we are alive, Ukrainian culture is alive, it is unique, diverse, and beautiful," Oleg Psyuk, the band's front man, told CNN.

Kalush Orchestra performing during rehearsals.

"This is our way to be useful to our country," he said.

At first sight, the six-piece group seem to slot in comfortably with dozens of their more eccentric Eurovision brethren.

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Most members wear elaborate national dress, with rapper Psyuk also sporting a pink bucket hat. One member is so submerged by patterned embroidery that only his mouth is visible, while the group's double bassist comes dressed as a ball of yarn.

But getting Kalush Orchestra to the Eurovision stage took some doing, and their journey is deeply interwoven with the war at home.

The band initially finished second in Ukraine's national selection competition, but they were elevated after it emerged the winner had previously traveled to Russian-annexed Crimea. They were unveiled as the country's entry on February 22, two days before Russian troops invaded Ukraine.

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Ukraine takes the Eurovision Song Contest spotlight as the weirdest show on earth returns