Eurovision 2023 Ukraine profile: 'Heart of Steel' by TVORCHI

Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest

Ukraine made their Eurovision debut in 2003 and have competed in the contest every year since. They have an amazing record of 11 Top 10 finishes with eight of those in the Top 5. This includes wins in 2004 (Ruslana - 'Wild Dances') and 2016 (Jamala - '1944') and 2022's win for Kalush Orchestra with 'Stefania'.

Ukraine are the only country have qualified for the Grand Final of every contest they have competed in since the introduction of the semi-final round in 2004.

2023 Entry: TVORCHI - 'Heart of Steel'

• Ukraine is an automatic qualifier to the Grand Final as winner of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest

• My Eurovision Scoreboard ranking: 23rd

• Odds to win ranking: 3rd

(Rankings as of 20 April 2023)

About the artist

TVORCHI consists of Andrii Viktorovych Hutsuliak and Jimoh (Jeffery) Augustus Kehinde.

The two had a chance meeting in 2016 where both were studying pharmacy at university. Andrii approached Nigerian born Jeffery in the street wanting to find someone with whom he could practice his English. Jeffery agreed as he needed someone with whom to practice Ukrainian. The pair went for a beer the next day and TVORCHI was born!

The duo has since released four albums which have all reached Number 1 on the Ukrainian charts and several hit singles to their name. In 2020, they won the online music award 'Culture Ukraine' in two categories: 'Best New Artist', and 'Best English-language single'. They were also nominated for the YUNA 2021 Music Awards in four categories, including 'Album of the Year'.

About the song

'Heart of Steel' was written by the duo after watching videos of the Ukrainian army defending the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works. They were inspired to write a song based on the determination of not giving up the area.

"It's about strong people who keep a good attitude in a negative situation...for us, it is important that our country can win against the occupiers who came to our land."

How TVORCHI was selected for Eurovision

Image Source: UA:PBC/Michael Fedorak

TVORCHI won Ukraine's Eurovision national final show 'Vidbir 2023' on December 17 2022, which was held in a Kyiv subway station-turned-bomb shelter (Maidan Nezalezhnosti metro station) due to the war.

'Heart of Steel' won the televote and came second with the jury to take out the competition by a single point.

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Ukraine will compete in the Grand Final on May 13 (European time) in Liverpool and has drawn to perform 19th in the Grand Final.

Check out our in-depth article about TVORCHI in "Eurovision 2023: Getting to know TVORCHI".

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