Ukrainian Eurovision star Go_A said “love saves the world” when calling for unity in the face of Russia’s invasion after its first performance at the Glastonbury Festival.
Lead singer Katerina Pabrenko told PA News Agency that the event at Worthy Farm was a “place for free people” and “people need to understand that freedom is a very rare gift. There is, so we need to save it. “
The crowd gathered for the electrofolk group’s performance on Saturday’s John Peel stage showed enthusiastic support for the band and Ukraine.
When Pabrenko opened the set saying, “We are Go_A and we are from Ukraine,” the crowd flew over hundreds of yellow and blue Ukrainian flags. I was excited by the enthusiastic applause.
After finishing fifth in his home country Eurovision in 2021, this was Go_A’s first performance at Glastonbury, and the band said “the dream came true.”
“For years I’ve dreamed of Glastonbury. I don’t believe I’ll be on stage (playing on this stage) someday … it’s magical,” Pabrenko told PA. ..
“The main message of our music is that people need to be united.
“Love saves the world.”
Tars Shevchenko, who plays the band’s keyboard and percussion, said:
Shevchenko was asked about the situation in her home country and said:
“Our message to them is just to keep them safe and to our men in the army. Good hunting.”
Musical quartets, including multi-instrumentalist Ihor Didenchuk and guitarist Ivan Hryhoriak, repeatedly encountered the roar of encouragement from the audience as they mentioned resistance to the Russian army and the plight of the people.
Pabrenko said that one song was “about the strong and brave Ukrainian people” and “I know that war is happening in our country. This song is about our pain.” I introduced the song.
Shevchenko was asked for a message they shared with the music and said, “Creating is always more difficult and difficult than destroying. You shouldn’t destroy it when you can.”
The band’s performance will take place after Ukrainian Eurovision 2022 winner Kalush Orchestra will perform early Saturday morning on the Truth Stage and Ukrainian President Wolody Milzerensky will address Glastonbury on Friday.
Zelensky called on the world to “spread the truth” about Russia’s invasion, and Go_A thanked the festival organizers for compiling the statement.
“Currently we have the best president in Ukraine and we are grateful that he has worked to help our country,” Pabrenko said.
“This war is so long that we are the first president to share what we feel, so one day we will win and the president will do everything to make this day faster. I hope.
“Thanks to Glastonbury for giving me the opportunity. Now I need to talk about it and Glastonbury is a place for free people.”
