“WELCOME TO UKRAINE!”
Ruslana: “Ukraine became the opening of the year 2004 in Europe and the whole world. So in year 2005 we tell everyone: “Welcome to Ukraine!”
In January 2004 All-Ukrainian tour of Ruslana that included 25 cities came to an end.
At the end of January Ruslana was informed by the expert committee of Ukrainian National TV Company about her being nominated to participate in Song Contest “Eurovision” from Ukraine. Official announcement was done later, whereas Ruslana thankfully accepted the honorary position and started her preparations.
In February she started promotion tour before actual participation in “Eurovision”.
VICTORY AT THE “EUROVISION”
During Ruslana’s and her team’s visit to Istanbul to the Song Contest “Eurovision-2004”, there were five big press conferences held. The singer has given numerous interviews to the mass media representatives from all over the Europe .Ukrainian delegation has spread big amount of promotion materials about Ukraine. Mutual presentation was also held for the representatives for Ukraine (Ukraine) and Serbia (Željko Joksimoviæ) – main candidates to win in the contest. Ruslana made many new friends from all over the Europe. She befriended with participates of “Eurovision” from Serbia (Željko Joksimoviæ), Greece (Sakis Rouvas), Belgium (Xandee), Turkey (group “Athena”).
At the FINAL that was broadcasted in 36 countries, audience of about 100(!) million of people got a chance to see Ruslana. The participant from Ukraine won with the recording score—17 points—before the second place! Apart from main prize, Ruslana also received an award from Organizational Committee of “Eurovision”.
“How should Europe look? Intelligent and impotent or wild and sexy”? Said one of the famous newspapers in Germany about Ruslana’s victory
There is more to it, then just an ordinary song. It is an energetic performance.
Thomas Anders (“Modern Talking”) about Ruslana’s performance.
RUSLANA: I want to thank all my team. I thank all who were with me in Istanbul, and those who were working in Ukraine and other countries to help us win. I thank my mom and dad. I thank director/stage manager Iryna Mazur, costume designer Roksolana Bogyts’ka, dance ballet “Zhyttya”, Ukrainian National TV Company particularly Pavlo Grytsak, “CFC Consulting Company”. My victory is not only my effort. It is the victory of our whole team. It is impossible to mention everyone, but I remember and will be grateful to you all my life.
I thank hundreds of millions of audience who were watching my performance and voting for me. I especially thank those countries that gave me the highest marks. When I was announced to be the winner, I wanted to share the award with everyone!
One of the most prestigious ceremonies “World Music Awards” gave prize to Ruslana in year 2004 for being “World Best Selling Ukrainian Artist” first in its history. The award was received by another famous Ukrainian—Vitaliy Klichko. Ruslana got a chance to meet many world celebrities. The ceremony was being broadcasted in more then 160 countries of the word with the audience being 1 billion of people!
Participants included such world known starts as, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Avril Lavigne, Marc Anthony, Maroon 5, Usher, Linkin Park, Outkast.
Year 2004 was not only Ruslana’s international break-through but also a year of mutually beneficial projects. Joint projects and duets Ruslana performed with Turkish bank “Harem”, Belgium singer Helmut Lotti, as well as company EGO WORKS (Miami, USA). In Poland Ruslana performed together with Kate Ryan.
European release of the album “Wild Dances” took place in October 2004. The album was recorded at the HIT FACTORY (Miami, USA). Work with American professionals and English version of the songs, did not ruin the ethnic exotic. Moreover, the composition acquired new image: Ruslana is bravely experimenting with the style of “Wild Dances”.
Today the album is being successfully sold in Belgium, Greece, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Estonia, Iceland, Israel, Turkey. In year 2005 album will be released in Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Poland, Czechia, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, UAE, Finland, Netherlands. Ukrainian version of “Wild Dances” apart from Ukraine can be purchased in Russia, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland.
As of today Ruslana’s album and singles have “Gold Disc” status in Belgium and Czechia. The sales of audio products with the label “RUSLANA” in such countries as Russia, Sweden and Greece will soon hit the same level (or wait for an official announcement about their status). In Slovakia Ruslana’s album acquired “Platinum Disc” status, whereas in Ukraine absolute record: “Platinum” thrice.
Ruslana announced about her plan to fight bootleg CDs in Ukraine together with the international organization IFPI (headquarters in Brussels).
The characteristic that shows Ruslana’s popularity in Europe is her high positions in the music charts of different European countries. Ruslana performed at the grand festival of sexual minorities “Stockholm Pride” (http://www.StockholmPride.org) held in Sweden. Ruslana has also visited Toronto (Canada) and participated at the festival of Ukrainian community that lives there.
Ruslana took part in the popular European TV shows, among them MTV and Viva. The winner of the “Eurovision” was invited to the super popular TV show “Top Of The Pop”. The pictures of Ruslana will be on the cover pages of many magazines.
Presentation of Ruslana’s new show took place on November 25 in Sport Palace, being the fourth day of “Orange Revolution” in Kyiv, half year after the victory of Ruslana at the “Eurovision-2004” and half year before 50th Song Contest.
To help organize this project Ruslana has invited Swedish light engineers that for 7 years have been working on creating show “Eurovision”.
There were 130 people from 9 different show production companies involved in realization and organization of the show that will soon hit the dance floors of Europe. Ruslana together with her director/stage manager Iryna Mazur, costume designer Roksolana Bogyts’ka and company “Haharyn Media”, came up with brave choreographic innovations, wide massive decoration experiments, new creative costumes and props. The show is divided into several parts that vary in mood, costumes, settings, effects, and of course music. Passion and inspiration, fire and wind, love and desire to dance—all these feelings are brought to you with the help of special effects.
The show contains ethnic weapons, original costumes. Together with “Ars Nova” there is also an original setting of ethnic drums used for drum section. Mows and belts are used along. In the Palace one could see Ukrainian and Orange flags, as well as symbolics of different European countries. Ruslana has traveled all over the Europe with her show. The slogan of it was “Welcome to Ukraine” and the show all in all was Ruslana’s invitation to anniversary Song Contest “Eurovision”.
The shooting of Ruslana’s second European single “Dance With The Wolves” took place in year 2004. The main idea of the video was enhanced by real life itself: apart from production scenes filmed in Kyiv and Lviv (with real wolves!), “Orange Revolution” added its significant frames.
RUSLANA: I am sure that Ukraine can be considered the world opening of year 2004. Sportsmen (brothers Klichko, winner of “Golden Ball” Andrey Schevchenko) and musicians greatly added to creating great image about our country in the world. Whereas, Orange Revolution became a real break-through of Ukraine!
Orange Revolution—is an example of humanity and unity of people. It is the triumph of truth and wild power of love. It is the joy of “purification” from lies and dishonesty. I am so proud of my country. It is my honor to invite the whole Europe and the entire world to the 50th anniversary Song Contest “Eurovision”. Our Ukrainian hearts are hospitably open to friends from all over the world!
Ruslana voluntarily accepted people’s ambassador’s mission, and met with many European politicians (i.e. with the president of Lithuania Mr. Valdas Adamkus). She also accepted an invitation from the deputy of European Parliament Vitautas Landsbergis (first president of Lithuania) and visited Strasburg where being a witness of Orange Revolution shared news about real events in Ukraine. Now in year 2005 Ruslana has visited European Parliament in Strasburg again. In Brussels Ruslana spoke at the meeting of European faction, and had a briefing where European Parliamentarians gathered with the purpose of discussing upcoming “Eurovision”. Ruslana was also introduced to the President of European Committee Mr. Hose Manuel Barroso and expressed her longing to participate in charity events organized in Europe.
Addressing European politicians, with the burst of emotions Ruslana said: “Show me the room where I can fill in the form for Ukraine to join EU, and I will do it right away!” Emotional joy of the winner of the “Eurovision” brought warm feelings and reaction of the European parliamentarians.
In her Kyiv residence Ruslana placed the flags of the countries she has visited. Today the apartment where she lives reminds of museum of gifts, letters from fans, different souvenirs and talismans. In the same room one can find presents from presidents and little children.
RUSLANA: In the year 2005 and in the future—my wild heart and dances—are ONLY for YOU!
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