Pop duo Tvorchi to show Ukraine's 'Heart of Steel' at Eurovision
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[May 11, 2023]
By Sarah Mills
LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -Tvorchi, Ukraine's electro pop-duo entry
in Eurovision 2023, said they hoped to shine a spotlight on their
country's fight for freedom when they perform in the grand final in
Liverpool on Saturday night.
Formed in 2018 by Ukrainian producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigerian-born
singer Jeffery Kenny, the pair wrote their song "Heart of Steel" last
spring when Ukraine's soldiers were defending Mariupol.
"We wrote it from how we felt, we didn't know we would apply to
Eurovision," Kenny said.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra rode a huge wave of support from across
Europe to win the contest last year, but the country was unable to stage
the event this year, as the winner usually does, because of Russia's
invasion.
Liverpool, in northern England, stepped in to host instead.
Hutsuliak said Tvorchi would "show the world our message".
"We'll show how strong Ukrainians are," he told Reuters. "We hope we can
inspire people all around the planet to take a look at the Ukrainians
who are fighting for their freedom, for their land, for their families."
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted a reception at 10 Downing
Steet on Wednesday to mark the event, with guests invited to wear
sparkly clothing. The British leaders' residence was decorated with
disco balls and Ukrainian flags.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/May/11/images/ads/current/cindyscottage_sda_SHG_2023.png)
Ukrainian singer Ruslana, who won the competition in 2004, performed for
attendees, who included Ukrainian artists, Ukrainian refugees and
Britain's first Eurovision winner Sandie Shaw.
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![](../images/051123PIX/ent_b.73.jpg)
Tvorchi from Ukraine perform during a
dress rehearsal ahead of the second semi-final of the 2023
Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, Britain May 10, 2023.
REUTERS/Phil Noble
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2017/Jul/22/images/ads/current/rohlfs_lda_072017.png) "It's an honour for us to host
Eurovision on behalf of our Ukrainian friends. It shows yet again
that the British people will stand by them for as long as it takes,"
Sunak said.
"As my friend (Ukrainian) President Zelenskyy says… one day this
contest will be hosted in a victorious, free Ukraine. Now that will
be a party to remember!"
Ukraine, as last year's winner, gains automatic entry to Saturday's
grand final, along with the "big five," comprising Britain, Germany,
France, Spain and Italy.
Britain is represented by singer-songwriter Mae Muller with "I Wrote
a Song".
She said there was a strong sense of community among the 37
countries competing in Liverpool.
"It's quite an empowering feeling to be a part of that, and
especially this year with hosting on behalf of Ukraine," she said.
"It makes what is already a special occasion even more special."
Tuesday's first semi-final saw 10 acts qualify for the grand final,
including early favourite, Sweden.
(Reporting by Sarah Mills, Writing by Paul Sandle and Kylie
MacLellan;Editing by Bernadette Baum and David Gregorio)
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