Eurovision trophy auctioned for £700,000 to raise money for Ukraine army

Virgin Radio

30 May 2022, 13:33

Kalush Orchestra’s Eurovision trophy has been auctioned off to raise funds for the Ukraine army as they continue to fight Russian forces invading the country.

The Ukrainian hip hop group rocketed to the winning position after receiving a huge portion of the public vote and beating the UK’s Sam Ryder at the Eurovision song contest in Turin earlier this month.

According to a report by BBC News, the trophy- a microphone covered in crystals- has been auctioned off on Facebook, with all proceeds going towards buying drones for the Ukraine’s armed forces.

The auction took place at a charity event, where the trophy was sold for $900,000 (£712,000). Kalush Orchestra also performed for the event live from Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate- a building that has become synonymous with peace and unity within Europe.

The group quickly became the bookies’ favourites to take home the Eurovision trophy at this year’s competition with their upbeat folk-rap song Stefania.

Win they certainly did with an incredible score of 631 points, most of which came from the public vote, enabling them to knock the UK off the top spot following the jury votes at the grand final.

Traditionally, the winner of Eurovision hosts the competition the following year, but due to the ongoing invasion in Ukraine, it was not clear whether this was going to happen for 2023.

That said, President Volodymur Zelensky took to social media soon after Ukraine was announced as the winner to share his hopes that the contest will take place in his country next May.

In a Facebook post, he wrote: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe!

“Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision! For the third time in its history, and I believe- not for the last time. We will make sure that one day the participants and guests of Eurovision will be hosted in Mariupol- free, peaceful and restored!”

He added: “Thank you for the victory Kalush Orchestra and everyone who voted for us! Sure, our winning chord in the battle with the enemy is not far away. Glory to Ukraine!”