Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest 2016
Jamala wins Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "1944". It's the second time Ukraine wins Eurovision
Eurovision Song Contest 2016 has just ended with Ukraine as the winner of the 61st Eurovision Song Contest with the song "1944" performed by Jamala. It's the second time Ukraine wins Eurovision. Ukraine also won the competition in 2004.
The song "1944" is composed by Jamala herself. The song is in English and Crimean-Tatar (first time a song will be sung in Crimean-Tatar in Eurovision Song Contest), and is about the 1944 deportation of the Crimean Tatars from their homeland by the Russian army.
Her song describes the situation in 1944 and today, and is dedicated to her family who still live in the Russian-occupied peninsula.
See all the lyrics for "1944" here .
Jamala
Susana Jamaladinova (32) is from Ukraine of Crimean Tatar descent, well-known as both a singer and an actress in Ukraine. She started her career back in 2005, but became famous after she participated in the talent-show "The New Wave 2009", where she was awarded with the grand prize.
Jamaal writes her own songs, and she participated in the Ukrainian ESC-selection in 2010 with the song "Smile". In 2014 she was playing the role of Olga in the movie "The Guide" that was selected as the Ukrainian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.
The Show
The opening of the Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2016 started with a short video, and then a presentation of the artists formed like a fashion show. Each of the artists walked the catwalk being presented to the music of Swedish hits from Swedish House Mafia, Avicii and Galantis.
"Welcome to the Eurovision Song Contest 2016"
After all the 26 songs were performed the voting started, and the interval act began:
Justin Timberlake sang two songs: "Rock Your Body" and "Can't Stop the Feeling". The winner of last year's Junior Eurovision, Destiny from Malta were being interviewed by Måns.
Then the musical act "Love, Love, Peace, Peace!", and a visit from Lynda Woodruff, and also the final episode of "Nerd Nation".
Voting & Points
Each of the 42 countries participating in Eurovision Song Contest 2016 voted in the Grand Final.
Each countries jury gave 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points.
Each countries televoters gave 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points.
Detailed voting & points can be seen here.
Eurovision Song Contest 2016
The 61st Eurovision Song Contest takes place on 10, 12 and 14 May 2016. The contest is hosted by Stockholm, Sweden, and produced by the Swedish broadcaster SVT.
- Place: Globen Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
- Participants: 42
- Semi-final 1: Took place on 10 May 2016 with 18 participants. The 10 songs with highest points advanced to the Grand Final
- Semi-final 2: Took place on 12 May 2016 with 18 participants. The 10 songs with highest points advanced to the Grand Final
- Grand Final: Took place on 14 May 2016 with 26 participants; Sweden (host), Big-5 (Germany, Spain, France, Italy and United Kingdom), 10 best from Semi-Final 1, 10 best from Semi-Final 2
Ukraine in Eurovision Song Contest
After one year's absence from Eurovision, Ukraine is back this year! They have participated 12 times since it's debut in 2003, and with great succes. Best result is when Ruslana won at Ukraine's second Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Wild Dances" in 2004 and of course Jamala's victory in 2016. They finished 2nd two times (2007 and 2008), and 8 of the 12 times they finished in top-10.
Since the introduction of Semi-finals in 2004 Ukraine qualified to all the 11 Grand Finals.
