Ukraine's choice for representative at Eurovision 2005 causes controversy

by Zenon Zawada
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - Ukraine seems to be hard-pressed to hold any kind of vote without deep-rooted division or accusations of fraud. This time, heroes of the Orange Revolution, rather than the country's leaders, are the focus of protests.

Ukraine held its first national competition on February 27 to decide its representative at Eurovision 2005, Europe's premier music contest.

After 19 performing acts entertained hundreds of adoring teens on live television, viewers selected by telephone which musician or group would represent Ukraine.

The winners were Greenjolly - known here as Gryndzholy - the Ivano-Frankivsk trio who wrote the hip-hop anthem that inspired Ukrainians throughout the Orange Revolution, "Razom Nas Bahato."

The band's glee upon winning, however, was not shared by some disappointed musicians, critics and music fans, who argued the song's strong political tone and limited musical depth didn't merit an invitation to Eurovision.

Others accused the contest's organizers of using the event to advance a political agenda.

Olena Mozhova, the contest's producer, made no effort to mask her disappointment.

"I don't like the group Greenjolly," Ms. Mozhova said at the press conference while sitting next to the band. "I like the singer Ani Lorak."

The dark-haired stunner from Chernivtsi finished 295 votes shy of Greenjolly's 2,247 total. Ms. Lorak performed her song "Another Little Shot" in English, and early vote tallies showed her with a commanding lead.

Ms. Lorak's Eurovision costume was a very revealing, exotic, African-themed outfit that exposed much of her firm, slender body. Her glamorous image was a stark contrast to the Greenjolly guys, who looked perfectly comfortable in sweatshirts and jeans.

However, Greenjolly votes poured in toward the end of the 20-minute tele-voting session, and, for the second consecutive year, Ms. Lorak lost the opportunity to perform in front of Europe.

Incidentally, Ms. Lorak sang at political rallies supporting former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in his failed bid for the presidency.

"I don't want to engage in politics," Ms. Lorak said in a statement released after the vote. "Everyone should engage in their own affairs: musicians - music, politicians - politics."

Thus, the popular enthusiasm Greenjolly enjoyed from the Revolution had begun to slacken. That sharp political overtones cast shadows on the contest was no surprise, especially considering that Kyiv will host Eurovision 2005 between May 19 and 21.

Eurovision has gained immense popularity among Ukrainians after Ruslana's victory last year, which catapulted her to international stardom.

Ukraine held no national competition last year, and Ruslana used her own funds to travel and compete in Istanbul. The television company NTU selected Ruslana internally, bypassing Ms. Lorak.

Those competing this year included a teenage boy band, heavy metal rockers, sultry singers in sequined gowns and rappers in baggy pants - a reflection of the diversity in contemporary Ukrainian pop culture.

Prior to the Orange Revolution, 75 musicians had competed in qualifying rounds and 15 made it to the finals.

After President Viktor Yushchenko's victory, the new Vice Minister of Humanitarian Policy Mykola Tomenko decided to invite four additional musicians as "wild cards" after their active roles in the Revolution.

Those four artists, including Greenjolly, bypassed the qualifying rounds of competition the other musicians had endured. That is how Mr. Tomenko's heavy hand began drawing skepticism among contestants and observers.

When the contest officials declared Greenjolly the winner, Mr. Tomenko immediately congratulated the boys and sat with them during their press conference, helping to field questions from reporters who were skeptical.

Aside from Mr. Tomenko's involvement, competitors and their managers complained about defects in the voting system.

When the 20-minute interval to vote had arrived, callers could not get through from any telephone, alleged Yurii Falosa, the president of the Ani Lorak Co. The lines were blocked or had technical problems, he said.

Pavlo Kravchuk, the technical director for the company that handled the voting, acknowledged that his company received many complaints. All the same, the overall voting trends demonstrated that Greenjolly was the winner, Mr. Kravchuk said.

Both Mr. Tomenko and Ms. Mozhova insisted the event was fair and free from tampering or falsification.

"I know for sure that Greenjolly won because the people voted for them," Ms. Mozhova said.

During the week, about 15 young protesters gathered outside a Greenjolly press conference to voice their support for Ms. Lorak, referring to themselves as Social Democratic Youth.

Youth groups planned a bigger demonstration for March 4 near the Presidential Secretariat building in Kyiv. Under the slogan, "We Are for an Honest Eurovision 2005," the protesters will denounce the selection process and express their support for the runner-up, Ms. Lorak.

And Mr. Falosa called a press conference with leaders of the Christian Democratic Party to keep the issue circulating in the media.

Despite the conflicts, Greenjolly is enjoying its newfound fame and selling copies of its legendary single on compact disc.

Roman Kostiuk and Roman Kalik formed Greenjolly as students in their native Ivano-Frankivsk eight years ago. They brought on Andriy Pisetskii for keyboards after they hit it big with "Razom."

The name Greenjolly refers to "gryndzholy," which is the Hutsul word for a small sleigh. Their first song was about how pleasant it was riding the gryndzholy in the Carpathian Mountains, and they stuck with the name ever since.

Last year, Messrs. Kalin and Kostiuk said they were fed up with the political speeches and wanted to write a song that would convey Mr. Yushchenko's message. In four hours they wrote the unofficial anthem of the Orange Revolution.

"Razom Nas Bahato" was downloaded 100,000 times in only two days after it became available online, according to their website, www.greenjolly.com.

In preparation for Eurovision 2005, the band members said they plan to rename the song either "Pisnia Vilnykh Liudei" (Song of Free People) or "Pisnia Svobody" (Song of Freedom).

They are also considering translating some of the lyrics into English for their performance, although they said they're not sure how terms like "bydlo" (cattle) could carry over.

The chorus will remain in Ukrainian, they said.

Leading up to Eurovision 2005, the band hopes to go on a promotional tour throughout Europe, particularly in Poland, where the song has been translated into Polish and become a national hit.

Greenjolly apparently hasn't cleared all the hurdles to performing at Eurovision 2005. Eurovision officials said that they have the right to disqualify songs advocating a political message.

Perhaps Ms. Lorak may yet get her moment in Europe's spotlight.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, March 6, 2005, No. 10, Vol. LXXIII

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