Ziferblat Soars: Ukrainian Band Clinches Vidbir 2025 and Secures Eurovision Ticket with ‘Bird of Prey’
The wait is over—Ukraine has chosen its champion for Eurovision 2025! In a night filled with electrifying performances, raw emotion, and national pride, Ziferblat emerged victorious in the Vidbir 2025 final with the song “Bird of prey”—a bold psycho-rock anthem , celebrating Ukraine’s rich heritage.
A Night of Symbolism and Nostalgia
Vidbir 2025 kicked off with a powerful tribute to Ukraine’s Eurovision legacy. Winners Ruslana (2004), Jamala (2016), and Kalush Orchestra (2022) took the stage to relive their historic victories, reminding the world of Ukraine’s undeniable impact on the contest.
The grand final, hosted by Maria Efrosynina, Timur Miroshnychenko, and Vasyl Baydak, saw ten artists give it their all, each fighting for that golden ticket to Eurovision. With a 50/50 voting system (jury and public televote), the battle was fierce, but only one act could come out on top.
The Showstopping Performances
From haunting ballads to high-energy anthems, this year’s Vidbir was a rollercoaster of emotions. Here’s a rundown of the night’s standout moments:
Vlad Sheryf – “Wind of Change”: Opened the show with a heartfelt ballad against the backdrop of a swirling tornado. His illuminated flower brooch added a delicate touch.
Abiye – “Dim” (Home): A visually stunning performance featuring traditional Ukrainian attire and masked dancers, symbolising female empowerment and national identity.
Melodi – “My Sea”: A hypnotic duo performance with minimalist staging and mesmerising geometric visuals in black and blue.
Future Culture – “Waste My Time”: Brought the funk to the stage, performing against a skyline projection, closing their act with a bubble-filled spectacle that delighted the audience.
Masha Kondratenko – “No Time to Cry”: Dressed in white, Masha’s five dancers wielded swords that projected striking visuals, fusing traditional and urban beats.
Khayat – “Honor”: Delivered a dark and dramatic performance, blending Ukrainian and English lyrics with a gothic, theatrical stage presence.
FIÏNKA – “Kultura”: One of the night’s favorite ! A fusion of rap and folk, FIÏNKA’s performance was a fiery tribute to Ukraine’s cultural roots, featuring four dynamic dancers and an explosion of national pride.
Krylata – “Stay True”: A heartfelt ballad with urban influences, where the stark contrast between her black dress and an all-white stage made a striking impact.
Ziferblat – “Bird of Prey”: The band transported the audience to a psychedelic garden, delivering a surreal mix of psycho-rock in Ukrainian and English.
DK Energetik – “Sil” (Salt): Closed the show with a retro synth-pop sound reminiscent of Depeche Mode, leaving fans wanting more.
The Moment of Truth
After an intermission hosted by Artem Konko, Ukraine’s representative at Eurovision Junior 2024, the suspense reached its peak during the voting segment. The expert jury—featuring luminaries such as Ruslana, Tina Karol, and Jamala—awarded top marks to Khayat, while the public vote decisively favoured Ziferblat with maximum points. In the end, with a combined total of 19 points, Ziferblat emerged as the undisputed winner of Vidbir 2025, securing their ticket to Eurovision 2025 in Basel.
A New Chapter Begins
With their victory, Ziferblat not only captured the hearts of the audience and the jury but also signalled a bold, innovative future for Ukrainian music on the Eurovision stage. As preparations for Eurovision 2025 in Basel intensify, the band’s risk-taking blend of psycho-rock and cultural homage promises to set new standards at one of Europe’s most iconic festivals.
