Ukrainian artist Jerry Heil has unveiled the official music video for her competition song “CATHARTICUS (prayer)”, with which she will compete for the right to represent Ukraine at Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The National Selection final will take place on February 7, where Jerry Heil will perform under number 9.

The song “CATHARTICUS (prayer)” — translated as “Catharsis (prayer)” — was created in collaboration with renowned Swedish songwriters Joy Deb and Linnea Deb, best known for “Heroes” by Måns Zelmerlöw, the winning song of Eurovision 2015. The track blends Latin prayer motifs, Ukrainian folk vocals, and contemporary pop production, offering a fresh and unconventional take on the pop genre.

According to Jerry Heil, the song was not initially written with Eurovision in mind.

“This song was not born from an attempt to write something specifically for Eurovision — and I believe that is its greatest beauty and value. It emerged from a pure musical impulse and a deep creative synergy between me and the incredible songwriters in Sweden. We were simply creating music.”

The artist emphasizes that CATHARTICUS (prayer) goes beyond the traditional definition of a song.

“When I call it a ‘song,’ it almost feels insufficient. For me, it is something much bigger — a work of art, a certain state of being. I truly believe that pop music today can and should be broader, deeper, and bolder than conventional formats.”

Jerry Heil describes the release as a personal and artistic statement:

“Releasing this work is both my personal revolution and, perhaps, a return to a forgotten view of pop music — as a genre capable of carrying deeper meaning, addressing important topics, and conveying complex ideas to a wide audience.”