Ukrainian Singer Jamala Wins with ‘Politically Charged’ 1944

Stockholm: Ukrainian singer songwriter Jamala took home the Eurovision 2016 trophy with the 1944 song. 1944 was about the war-crime deportations of ethnic Tatars from Ukraine's Crimea peninsula by Soviet dictator Stalin. The lyrics of the song written by Jamala herself at 2015 have caused tensions with neighboring Russia. 

Reports are that the song was written by Jamala to commemorate her maternal grandmother, her deportation journey and pain. The 32-year singer, whose real name is Susana Jamaladynova, but is comfortable with her stage name Jamala, is herself a Crimean Tatar descent born to a Crimean Tatar father and Armenian mother. Jamala represented Ukraine at Eurovision 2016, which took place at Stockholm. 

In an interview right before her performance at Eurovision 2016, Jamala said: “[If I win,] it will mean that modern European people are not indifferent, and are ready to hear about the pain of other people and are ready to sympathies.” She also talked about the song selection that was politically charged, asserted: “Of course it’s about 2014 as well. These two years have added so much sadness to my life. Imagine – you’re a creative person, a singer, but you can’t go home for two years. You see your grandfather on Skype, who is 90 years old and ill, but you can’t visit him. What am I supposed to do: just sing nice songs and forget about it? Of course I can’t do that.”

Following her achievement, Eurovision have decided their venue for 2017’s contest. According to Eurovision rules, this year’s winner’s country always receives next year’s event, but there are chances that Russia cancelling the event next year. However, Ukanian President Petro Poroshenko wrote on Twitter: “Personally congratulated Jamala with the victory. Today her voice spoke to the world on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people. The truth, as always, prevailed!” Social media flooded with congratulations messages following the victory of Jamala.

According to sources, Jamala was returning to Kiev on Sunday. Ukraine have declared the day to remember the political repression as a day of remembrance-including Soviet purges of Crimean Tatars and other groups on Ukrainian soil.