Eurovision 2023: viewers in tears during Ukraine-dedicated performance

Millions of viewers of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which is taking place in Liverpool these days, were deeply moved by the performance of Ukrainian singer Alyosha, who, in a duet with British singer Rebecca Ferguson, expressed gratitude to all friends of Ukraine and dedication to Ukrainian mothers and wives. 

“Eurovision fans were brought to tears when Liverpool’s own Rebecca Ferguson joined Ukrainian star Alyosha onstage for a heartfelt duet uniting Britain and Ukraine,” the Liverpool Echo writes. In a comment to the publication, the audience called the performance “the most beautiful performance on Eurovision of all time” and one that made them proud of the British and Ukrainian people. 

This was emotional – a beautiful performance from Liverpool's Rebecca Ferguson and Ukraine's Alyosha 💙💛 #Eurovision2023 pic.twitter.com/AFueo1YIIt

— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 9, 2023

The singers performed the Duran Duran song “Ordinary World” in a duet while an air raid siren sounded. The performance itself took months to complete. “We have been working on this number since November; I developed it in a bomb shelter during rocket attacks,” said Herman Nenov, the creative director of Eurovision 2023 from Ukraine.

After the first semi-final, Alyosha wrote on her social media that the performance was dedicated to Ukrainian mothers forced to take their children to safe cities and countries since the beginning of the terrible war, but not only to them. 

“In general, the issue is about every Ukrainian: since 02/24/22, unfortunately, dark colors continue to dominate the palette of our lives. But thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, bright colors appear in this palette. And they will soon shine throughout Ukraine! I hope the speech resonated in the hearts of the entire civilized world. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Armed Forces!” the singer writes. 

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the singer was forced to leave Ukraine and live separately from her husband, Taras Topolya, the leader of the Ukrainian band Antytila.  Taras went to defend Ukraine with arms in hand, and Alyosha took the children to a safe place.