Jamala will represent Ukraine at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with her song 1944. Here she talks to esccovers.com.

Hello Jamala. Congratulations on being selected to represent Ukraine at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. What were your feelings when you realised you had won?

When I was standing on the stage while the jury were announcing whom they have chosen, I was thinking that probably Eurovision is not my cup of tea. So, when I heard the results of people’s voting I didn’t realise that I won. I was confused a little bit. Of course I feel happy and proud now. I’m grateful to people that voted for me and I’m sure that I’ll represent Ukraine in the best way.

‘1944’ is about the deportation of Crimean Tatars in the 1940s. What inspired you to write this song and enter it for Eurovision?

I wrote it a year and a half ago. The origins of it are in my childhood. It’s inspired by a story that my great-grandmother told me when I was small. So this topic is very personal for me. The song is about the tragedy that happened to our family and all Crimean Tatars in 1944. I mean the deportation of Crimean Tatar people from Crimea to Central Asia, the crime made by Soviet government. They packed all people to the freight trains like beasts for a few weeks with no food and water. Those who couldn’t survive were thrown out and left lying on the ground. My great-grandmother lost her daughter as well. But ‘1944’ concerns all people that had their own horrible tragedies in the past, such as Holocaust. We should always remember and never forget them to avoid like this in the future. I want to deliver this message to as many people as possible.

You recently played a concert in Kiev. How was this show and what type of songs do you sing in your concerts?

Thank you for this question! My show went very well. It was sold out and the audience was really nice. Most of all I performed songs from my latest record ‘Breath’ that was released in October 2015, but of course there were several songs from my previous albums ‘Thank You’, ‘All or Nothing’ and ‘For Every Heart’. And at the beginning of the encore I performed ‘1944’ and people just got crazy. It was really nice, my fans are the best!

Do you plan to make a promotional tour to other countries to promote ‘1944’ for Eurovision?

No, I don’t have such plans. But I’m going to perform in Amsterdam at the Eurovision party.

Do you have a new album coming? If so when will it likely be released?

My new album has been released less than half a year ago. I want to live with it for a while. But I’ve already started to write new songs.

Have you participated in any other music festivals in Ukraine and abroad?

Of course! I participated in hundreds of festivals of different musical genres in different countries. For example I’ve been headliner on opera festivals in Ukraine and Italy, jazz festivals in Ukraine and Russia, folk festivals in Ukraine and Turkey, rock festivals in Ukraine and Turkey etc.

Have you heard the other songs in Eurovision this year? Do you have any favourites at this time?

I’ve heard all the songs. I mean, I’ve watched all the video clips. Of course the live sounds different, but I can recognize a good song nevertheless. I choose France, The Netherlands, Sweden, UK and Greece, because their entries have such handsome guys)))))))
I’m just kidding. They have really good songs!

Do you normally watch Eurovision each year? Do you have any favourite songs from previous years?

I watch the show every year. I don’t have any particularly favourite ESC song. I usually pay attention to performers, musicians, vocals and musical background. These are a few songs that I like: Raphael Gualazzi – ‘Madness of Love’ (2011 ESC Italy), The Common Linnets – ‘Calm After The Storm’ (2014 ESC The Netherlands) and Loreen – ‘Euphoria’ (2012 ESC Sweden – winner)

Anyway thank you and good luck Jamala.

You can see Jamala perform 1944 below.

Source: www.esccovers.com