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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Jess Molyneux

All the times Ukraine has won Eurovision as Liverpool hosts 2023

Since their Eurovision Song Contest debut 20 years ago, Ukraine has become one of the biggest success stories in the history of the competition.

First participating in 2003, Ukraine has gone on to produce three winning songs, as well as two runner-up entries. Ukraine is also the only country - aside the 'Big Five' to qualify for every grand final since the semi-final competitions were introduced.

Eurovision fans from all over Europe have and are currently arriving in Liverpool for the 2023 competition - and the city has so far put on an amazing celebration. Last year, Liverpool announced as the host city of Eurovision for 2023, after winners Ukraine could not hold the competition for safety and security reasons due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.

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So far, the ECHO has taken a look back at all the UK Eurovision winners and songs through the years. And with so much talent and success to celebrate, we've also done the same for reigning champions Ukraine.

This year, Ukraine is represented by Tvorchi with entry Heart of Steel." Ahead of Eurovision's grand final this weekend, we take a look back at all the times Ukraine have won the competition.

2004 - Ruslana

Ruslana of Ukraine performs during the semi-finals for the 49th Eurovision Song Contest at Abdi Ipekci Sport Salon in Istanbul. May 12, 2004 (MUSTAFA OZER/AFP via Getty Images)

After Turkey's win the year prior, the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Istanbul. But history was also made in 2004 for Ukraine, who secured their first ever Eurovision title.

That year, Ruslana was crowned Ukraine's first ever winner of Eurovision with song Wild Dances, coming out on top beating the competition with 280 points. Becoming one of Ukraine's best known artists, Ruslana's entry also stood out amongst the competition for its mixture of English and Ukranian lyrics.

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2016 - Jamala

Jamala representing Ukraine performs the song "1944" at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. May 14, 2016 (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest was held in Sweden's capital, Stockholm. That year, the Grand Final was broadcast in the United States for the first time.

And it was Ukraine's Jamala who won the contest with her song 1944, providing Ukraine with its second victory in the Eurovision Song Contest. Jamala won overall with 534 points and has been a household name ever since.

On Sunday evening, Jamala was in Liverpool performing on stage as part of the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome Party. Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in the city this week, Jamala is set to showcase her new album as part of the EuroFestival lineup.

2022 - Kalush Orchestra

Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine are named the winners during the Grand Final show of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy. May 14, 2022 (Photo by Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images)

In 2022, the 66th Eurovision Song Contest took place at PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy. It was Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra who won with their song Stefania - the first Eurovision winning song to feature a rap.

Forever changing the landscape of what a winning track should look, sound and feel like - the folk-rap anthem smashed the voting system all over Europe. Liverpool was announced as the host city of Eurovision for 2023, after winners Ukraine could not hold the competition for safety and security reasons due to the ongoing invasion by Russia.

But the band have been in the city already and as reigning champions, Kalush Orchestra took to the big stage earlier this week to perform as part of the EuroFestival. Lead singer Tymofii Muzychuk recently told The ECHO: "We saw the coloured and tributes around the city, and the Ukrainian art, so it's good to see Liverpool is appreciating all this Ukrainian culture, for which we are grateful and thankful."

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