In the midst of war, Ukraine is preparing to choose its artist for Eurovision.

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, the selection contest, will be broadcast live from an air-raid shelter in Kiev on December 17, Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne announced on Monday.

The broadcaster had already announced that it had received 384 songs submitted by 299 candidates.

The successful candidates should be revealed in the coming days.

Quoted by the Eurovision site, the musical producer Pianoboy, who supervises this casting, says he is "surprised" by the "psychology" involved in his role.

“You have to pull the musicians up, motivate them.

Many of them composed songs to be heard at the national selection probably because of the context of this

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and who, for the occasion, started making music again,” he says.

A “soft power” challenge

For Ukraine, which has won Eurovision three times since its first participation in 2003, the musical competition is a challenge in terms of soft power (“soft power”, in French) and cultural resonance.

"Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe", had reacted the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, on May 15, just a few moments after the victory of the group Kalush Orchestra.

Ukraine being unable to meet the conditions required to organize the next edition, Eurovision 2023 will be held in Liverpool (United Kingdom).

The BBC will design the show in collaboration with its Ukrainian counterpart.

“While we are sad that next year's competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and that the organizers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavor to Eurovision 2023. in this city,” conceded Kalush Orchestra.

Thirty-seven countries will take part in the 2023 edition. The final will be broadcast on May 13, live from the Liverpool Arena.

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  • War in Ukraine

  • Eurovision 2022

  • Music