Kalush Orchestra feel a big responsibility representing Ukraine at awards shows (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images for MTV)
Kalush Orchestra hinted that the Eurovision Song Contest could return to Ukraine in 2023, as the group took to the red carpet at the MTV EMAs 2022.
The Eurovision Song Contest champions featured on the bill at the PSD Bank Dome, alongside international acts including Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi, Gorillaz, Bebe Rexha and David Guetta.
Ahead of their performance in Dusseldorf, Germany, they said they wanted to be cultural ‘soldiers’ for Ukraine, following their Eurovision win in Italy earlier this year.
Speaking through an interpreter in front of cameras, lead singer Oleh Psiuk told the PA news agency: ‘We feel a bit of pressure because it is so huge. We feel pressure to perform for Ukraine and today we would like everybody to show that the culture of Ukraine is so unique.’
He added that ‘now it is war and culture is one of our weapons, so today we are are soldiers that present Ukraine’s culture’.
Speaking about Liverpool hosting the 2023 contest in place of Ukraine, Psiuk added: ‘We are very grateful to the UK for helping to deal with this situation.
The groups hope the UK will incorporate Ukrainian culture into their show (Picture: Gareth Cattermole – MTV/Getty Images for MTV)
‘And of course we hope the UK can integrate some details of our culture – something that is important for Ukraine because we did our best last year.
‘This year our country will make the best artists, the best music, to win one more time. So when we win the war, Eurovision 2023 could be in Kyiv.’
Asked if Kalush Orchestra would perform in Liverpool, he replied: ‘We don’t know right now for sure how everything will be going on.’
Sam Ryder can’t wait to attend Eurovision next year, but it’s not known whether he’ll perform (Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images for MTV)
But, they would be ‘happy’ to be asked to be special guests.
Also in attendance at this year’s event was UK entry and Eurovision runner-up Sam Ryder, who hailed rapper Stormzy his ‘inspiration’ and a ‘kind soul’.
Asked how he felt about Eurovision taking place in Liverpool next year, he added stated that he’s been a fan of the contest since he was a child, and it has ‘never mattered where it was.’
‘If I lived in Liverpool, it might be a different story. I would be like, “Oh my God, it is coming here”. The traffic is going to be mental. I will enjoy it no matter what country it is in.’
Eurovision 2023 will be held in Liverpool, after the city beat competition from Glasgow (Picture: Getty)
Speaking about whether he will perform at the 2023 contest, the singer said he ‘can’t begin to presume’ but he definitely wants to be there and ‘experience it with everyone else’.
Elsewhere at tonight’s EMAs, Harry Styles dominated with seven nominations, including best song and best video for the smash hit As It Was, as well as best artist, followed closely by Taylor Swift who has six nods.
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Taylor took home some of the biggest gongs, including best artist and best long-form video.
British stars including Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris and Coldplay were also among the nominees.
The MTV EMAs 2022 will take be broadcast live on MTV on November 13 at 8pm GMT and will also be available to watch on Paramount+ UK from November 14.
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‘We are very grateful to the UK for helping to deal with this situation,’ they said.
