Sweden wins Eurovision Song Contest 2023
The Eurovision Song Contest final saw Sweden’s Loreen win the popular song competition in Liverpool on Saturday night.
Loreen is the only person after Irishman Johnny Logan to have won the contest twice, and her win puts Sweden tied with Ireland as the most successful Eurovision countries.
“It was crazy,” Loreen said in an interview broadcast to reporters after her victory. “I’m grateful.”
Finland’s Kaarija took second place in a tight battle between their Nordic neighbours, while Israel came in third.
Britain hosted on behalf of Ukraine, who were crowned winners last year but were unable to host the event due to Russia’s invasion.
The grand final kicked off on Saturday night, with last year’s winners, Ukrainian folk-rap band Kalush Orchestra, opening in Liverpool.
What happened during this year’s contest?
Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine as the competition began.
Ukrainian media reported that Ukraine’s Eurovision contestant’s hometown of Tvorchi was hit.
“Turnopil… was bombed by Russia as we sang on the Eurovision stage about our hearts of steel, indomitability and will,” the band said on Instagram. “Europe, unite against evil for peace!”
The Princess of Wales Kate also made a surprise appearance playing on video at the opening statement.
Austrians Teya & Salena then performed “Who The Hell is Edgar?”, a strong track inspired by 19th century writer Edgar Allan Poe.
The annual cultural contest has become increasingly popular outside Europe.
In the run-up to the event, Loreen, who won Eurovision in 2012, was a bookmaker’s favourite.
Finland was also another favourite, with Kaarija’s pop-metal party song “Cha Cha Cha” a crowd pleaser in the semi-finals.
Canadian singer La Zarra, competing for France, also ranked highly for her song “Evidemment”.
The country that wins the competition normally hosts the competition the following year, but due to the war in Ukraine, the UK, last year’s runners-up, will host this year’s competition in Liverpool.
26 countries competed
Bands and artists from 26 countries took the stage in Liverpool, UK.
This includes 20 countries that were selected in two separate semi-finals held earlier this week.
The other six are the “Big Five” – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom – who are the main financial contributors to the contest and advance directly to the finals.
Ukraine, as last year’s winners, also automatically qualified for the finals. UK organizers pledged to make it a celebration of Ukrainian spirit and culture.
Source: DW
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