In Ukraine, final yr’s winner of the Eurovision Track Contest, conflict continues to rage greater than a yr after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainians monitor experiences of destroyed Russian tools, comply with every day motion on the entrance line and heed alerts of incoming strikes.
However on Saturday, for some, Eurovision supplied a diversion from the battlefield.
At Ponchyk Boy cafe, which implies Doughnut Boy, bakers devoted a particular deal with to Eurovision: one with Bailey’s topped with strawberry yogurt and contemporary strawberry items.
“Many individuals acquired our doughnuts to go right this moment and mentioned they’re shopping for them to observe Eurovision,” mentioned Yaroslav Koshovyi, 26, the cafe supervisor. “We’re a really vivid cafe so our doughnuts swimsuit Eurovision.”
At 6 p.m., Eurovision followers gathered on the bar Squat 17b for an early night time out, with the primary applause of the night going to the Ukrainian Military. Kyiv’s curfew begins at midnight and the bar is closing at 8:30 p.m. to permit folks to get house.
At one desk, a gaggle of buddies sang alongside to Eurovision songs.
“It’s a chunk of happiness,” mentioned Olha Tarasenko, 24. “I keep in mind final yr after I evacuated to Poland, we went with buddies to at least one Polish homosexual bar to observe Eurovision, and when Ukraine gained, I used to be crying, and felt like the whole lot is feasible.”
Few in Ukraine count on to win this yr.
“We most likely won’t win this yr, however we’re good at cheering and hoping,” mentioned Anastasia Telikova, 32, a photographer and volunteer, who was resting in a downtown Kyiv park with a soldier pal.
After the park, she deliberate to go a membership to observe the beginning earlier than heading house to observe with buddies.
“With all of the ache and loss, if there’s a chance to get along with folks you might be near, it’s price doing,” she mentioned.
Final yr, when Ukraine gained, “folks had been smiling, regardless of plenty of hazard and uncertainty round us,” she mentioned. “We’re prepared to carry onto any potential image now that can provide hope.”
