Ukraine has advanced to the Eurovision 2026 final: video of LELÉKA’s performance
15 May 00:09
Ukraine’s representative, LELÉKA, has advanced to the final of Eurovision 2026. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing the contest’s live broadcast.
The Ukrainian singer performed in the second semifinal of the contest with the song “Ridnym” and, based on the voting results, secured a spot among the finalists.
Now Ukraine will continue to compete for victory in the grand final, which will take place on May 16 in Vienna.
The Ukrainian contestant performed in the second semifinal as the 12th act.
Ukraine in the Eurovision 2026 Final
After her performance in the second semifinal, LELÉKA received enough support from viewers to advance to the contest’s final. For Ukraine, this marks another appearance in the decisive stage of Eurovision, where the country’s representative will compete for the contest’s top prize.
The Eurovision 2026 final is scheduled for May 16. That is when we will find out who wins the contest and which country will host Eurovision next year.
What song is LELÉKA performing?
The Ukrainian representative is performing the song “Ridnym.” The composition combines Ukrainian ethnic motifs, a modern sound, and emotional vocals. Ukrainian cultural symbols, particularly the sound of the bandura, play an important role in the performance.
LELÉKA previously said that for her, participating in the contest is an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Ukrainian culture and make it visible to Europe. She also emphasized the importance of the Kharkiv bandura tradition, which survived persecution and was preserved thanks to the Ukrainian diaspora.
How Ukraine Performed in the Second Semifinal
In the second semifinal, LELÉKA presented a performance with a strong visual and emotional impact. The staging is built around the voice, musical drama, and Ukrainian themes.
Suspilne previously reported that during rehearsals, LELÉKA’s performance included a bandura, red lighting, and a long vocal note, which became one of the most talked-about details of the performance.
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What is known about Leléka
Leléka is the stage name of Ukrainian singer, arranger, and film composer Viktoria Leleka.
She was born in Shakhtarsk, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. She graduated from the Karpenko-Kary National University of Theatre, Film, and Television in Kyiv, and while studying there, she worked as an actress at the Molodyi Theatre. In 2016, she moved to Berlin, where she founded the ethno-jazz band Leléka, studied jazz vocals at the Dresden Conservatory, and later earned a master’s degree in film scoring.
She is also developing her solo art project Donba₴grl, and in Ukraine she is known as the composer of the music for the series “And There Will Be People.”
The song “Ridnym” speaks of the inner state of change, embracing fear, and moving forward at a moment when familiar supports disappear. The composition combines folk-jazz elements, art-pop, and electronic sounds, as well as a string orchestra and the bandura.
When will the Eurovision 2026 final take place?
The Eurovision 2026 Grand Final will take place on May 16 in Vienna.
The final will feature countries that have advanced through the two semifinals, as well as automatic finalists—host country Austria and representatives of the “Big Five.”
As a reminder, Ukraine has won Eurovision three times in history: Ruslana (Istanbul 2004), Jamala (Stockholm 2016), and Kalush Orchestra (Turin 2022).
Where to watch Eurovision 2026 in Ukraine
In Ukraine, live broadcasts of Eurovision 2026 will be available on several platforms.
The broadcast will be provided by:
- Suspilne Culture website
- Suspilne Eurovision website
- The official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel
- Eurovision Ukraine YouTube channel (host commentary only)
- Megogo streaming
- Radio Promin.
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