Eurovision 2026 Grand Final in Vienna

According to Главком: On May 16, the Eurovision 2026 grand final took place in Vienna, where Ukrainian contestant Leléka (Victoria Leleka) claimed ninth place with 221 points-54 from the jury and 167 from the public vote. This achievement was fueled by a powerful performance where Leléka sang alongside bandurist Yaroslav Dus. The act made history as the first live bandura performance ever heard on the Eurovision stage.

Before the televote, Leléka sat in 15th position but climbed six spots during the voting phase. Her performance featured a trident hand gesture and a rousing cry of 'Slava Ukraini!' (Glory to Ukraine!). The singer also set a record for the longest sustained vocal note, which media outlets hailed as unprecedented in Eurovision history.

Results and Reactions

Leléka advanced to the final after placing second in the public vote during the second semi-final on May 14. Her performance video garnered the highest number of likes among all acts that evening on the contest's YouTube channel. Ukraine remains the only country in Eurovision history to never miss a final in 21 years of participation.

This year's winner was Bulgarian artist DARA with the song 'Bangaranga,' marking a historic first victory for Bulgaria at this prestigious music competition.

"I left the stage after my performance feeling pure happiness. I am rarely satisfied with my performances, but this one-we truly gave it everything, and everything was at the highest level I could achieve. I gave my all." - Leléka

Leléka's Eurovision result underscores the consistent strength of Ukrainian music on the global stage, as the country continues to earn recognition for its talent. The incorporation of the bandura into the performance symbolizes both the preservation of national culture and its promotion worldwide. DARA's victory for Bulgaria also highlights the growing competitiveness among participants, making future editions of the contest even more compelling.

Source: inkorr.com