Former teacher alyona alyona and singing partner Jerry Heil are favourites at this year’s contest – and they’re using their rousing song Teresa & Maria to help children who have lost their childhood
‘The audience really give you the power and the energy and you give it back’ … alyona alyona and Jerry Heil perform at the first semi-final of the Eurovision song contest in Malmö.‘The audience really give you the power and the energy and you give it back’ … alyona alyona and Jerry Heil perform at the first semi-final of the Eurovision song contest in Malmö.
No partying and no nerves before performing either. “When we first rehearsed with the audience here in Sweden, I immediately got the feeling that they’re so supportive and so warm – in all senses!” says Heil. “I’m freezing all the time, but on stage at Eurovision, it’s like a sauna. The audience really give you the power and the energy, and you give it back, so it’s like the energy is circulating.
“Our children have lost their childhood,” says alyona alyona, who was a preschool teacher before finding musical success, “because Russia bombed more than 500 school buildings. It’s horrible.”Children play in front of the destroyed Velykokostromska school in Dnipropetrovsk that alyona alyona and Jerry Heil are raising funds for.The pair have some kind words for the UK’s entry, Olly Alexander.
They have also been enjoying the camaraderie in Malmö. alyona alyona says it’s a shame that only 10 songs progress from each of the semi-finals. “Sometimes it is sad and unexpected who doesn’t go through, but this is the people’s choice.” Jerry Heil adds: “It’s hard to pick who might win, because we are all friends.
Bookmakers have them among the favourites for this year, but their aims go beyond simply winning the contest. “Everybody asks us if we want to win,” Jerry Heil says, “but if Ukrainian music goes in the charts, on your personal playlist, on a daily basis, then we have won.”
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