When watching the various National Finals, some can feel like joining a party. Others, frankly, can feel a bit of a slog. Vidbir, Ukraine’s national selection, has a very different feel entirely. You sense that you’re invited to witness a moment that’s a privilege to see.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has used its participation at the Eurovision Song Contest as a symbol of survival and resistance. In the face of an existential threat to their nation, culture, and language, Vidbir’s message is that people choose not just to survive but also to thrive. They clearly intend to send that message loudly, both to their domestic and international audiences.
The Backdrop To Vidbir
Since 2023, Vidbir has been held in air raid shelters at a series of undisclosed locations. This isn’t paranoia. At the moment Tvorchi were onstage at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, a Russian missile hit their home town of Ternopil. Nobody in Ukraine thinks that’s a coincidence. Despite the difficult circumstances, the stages are always well-constructed, to the extent that you’d barely know it’s in a bunker. I’ve seen far more shambolic National Finals from countries that weren’t being invaded. Real time and effort has gone into making this a great show.
As with all editions in recent years, the war was a constant presence at Vidbir 2025. Shout-outs to the troops were frequent. A QR code on the screen fundraised for demining efforts. After singing ‘Dim’ (Home), singer Abiye used the stage to highlight the issue of sexual violence by Russian troops in the occupied parts of Ukraine.
Ten artists competed on Saturday night, eventually selecting rock band Ziferblat to perform in Basel with ‘Bird of Pray.’ After the broadcast, I reached out to Vladyslav Semenchenko, former head of OGAE Ukraine. He told me, “Every song of the ten is about war. Even ‘Kultura’ by Fiïnka. But at the same time, there was no songs about war. Just context.”
Fiïnka is a pop singer from the Hutsul sub-culture in the Western Carpathian mountains. The lyrics of ‘Kultura‘ are translated from Ukrainian:
If you recognize your native speech, then you’ll know who you are…
That’s my nature. For better or worse.
That’s my culture.
Kremlin propaganda frequently insists that there’s no Ukrainian language, just a dialect of Russian; that there’s no Ukrainian culture, just a bunch of silly Russians who’ve forgotten that they’re Russian. It’s within this context that Fiïnka joyfully and proudly celebrates her language and culture.
Elsewhere, the context is more explicit in the songs. ‘The Sea’ is sung by Molodi, a duo from Mariupol, which is currently occupied by Russia. The sea in the title is the Sea of Azov. Mariupol sits on its coast, and they sing of their desire to see it again.
Ukraine’s Representative For Basel 2025
Vladyslav seems happy with Ziferblat’s win. He said, “I’m not surprised that they won, because they are real Eurofans. We talked to them personally, and it’s noticeable. They are also the jury’s favourites, and after last year’s selection, many people loved them. Personally, I really liked the song. I’m glad they were chosen. Very strong potential for the show.”
The chorus line repeats:
Fly, bird. I’m begging you…please just live.
Share my heart with someone who cares,
of me and my little bird of pray.
As with Fiïnka, the context of war is unspoken but obvious. The bird metaphor conveys a sense of longing for freedom and for loved ones to be equally free. The “pray” spelling in the title further emphasises that sense of longing.
Vidbir is a truly remarkable testament to a society that has endured great tragedy and unspeakable crimes, but remains undefeated. While anger and loss are expressed throughout, so too is defiance, hope, and even a sense of fun. Vidbir shows that Ukrainians have retained the ability not just to live, but to live well. In these times, that alone is a powerful statement.
Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava!