Ukraine decides: It’s Jamala with 1944!

Last night in a mammoth national final, Ukraine selected their participant out of six talented acts. The hosts of the show were Dimitri Tankovich and Aleksander Pedan. The special guest of the night was Irish participant Nicky Byrne, who performed his upcoming Eurovision entry, Sunlight.

The acts competing were:

• Brunettes Shoot Blondes – Every Monday

• NeAngely (NuAngels) – Higher

• The Hardkiss – Helpless

• Jamala – 1944

• SunSay – Love Manifest

• Pur:Pur – We Do Change

The results were a combination of jury and televote, and as the results came in, it became a close race between The Hardkiss and Jamala, both ending on 11 points. However, Jamala received the most points from the public, therefore it was Jamala who was announced as the winner of the national selection.

The song 1944 was written by Jamala herself, and is half in English, and half in Tatar. Jamala is a popular Ukrainian singer of Crimean Tatar descent. Her participation in New Wave 2009 helped her become well known, and now performs music that she artistically composes – from jazz, soul, R&B to pop. She had participated in the Ukrainian national selection back in 2010, where she sung a more upbeat song called Smile.

You can listen to the song down below, and if 1944 is your new favourite Eurovision song, vote for it in our poll, which you can find here.