Ukraine won Eurovision 2022. The group were already favourites to win and it seemed people were right. Despite the ongoing war, President Zelenskyy has assured the public that Ukraine will host the annual song contest next year. To help with the war effort, the group auctioned off the prize trophy for a hefty sum.
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Helping the war effort
Kalush Orchestra has been doing what they can to support their country during the war. Indeed the group took part in a charity concert at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate to raise money for medical care and supplies.
During their appearance, band member Oleh Psiuk talked about the war, the BBC reports:
I think it should be on the front pages always, until peace comes,
The group decided to auction off the crystal microphone trophy they won to help support the war effort.
Auctioning the trophy
The auction was organised by Ukrainian TV presenter Serhiy Prytula on Sunday, May 29. The crystal trophy ended up being sold for an impressive £712,000 ($900,000). ITV News reports that the trophy was sold to Whitebit, a cryptocurrency exchange.
On a Facebook post, the Ukrainian folk-rap group wrote:
You guys are amazing!
We appreciate each and every one of you who donated to this auction and a special thanks to the team Whitebit who purchased the trophy for $900,000 and are now the rightful owners of our trophy.
🎤 @Eurovision-2022 Crystal microphone sold for $ 900,000!
— Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine - Ukrainian Parliament (@ua_parliament) May 30, 2022
Kalush Orchestra sold the 2022 #Eurovision Crystal Trophy for $900,000 at a charity auction.
The funds raised will be used to purchase a PD-2 drone complex for the Ukrainian army.
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkrainepic.twitter.com/zXl3S1eOHY
Moreover, the group auctioned off the pink bucket hat worn by Oleh Psiuk during his performance. According to The Guardian, the hat sold for £293,00 ($370,000).
Given special treatment
The Ukrainian group were given special treatment and was allowed to leave the country. Indeed, men between the ages of 18 and 60 are banned from leaving the country in case they are needed to fight.
According to ITV News, Kalush Orchestra were a part of the Ukrainian resistance and was fighting mere weeks before attending the song contest.
The money from the auction of the Eurovision trophy will be used to buy the PD-2 unmamed aerial system, which includes three aircraft and a ground control station.
Read more:
⋙ Ukraine receives high-tech ‘kamikaze drones’ from the US to fight Russian forces
⋙ Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemns Vladimir Putin’s comparison of the Ukraine war to WW2
⋙ Russian Army deploys the 'Terminator' super tank in the war against Ukraine
