Ukraine 2025: Your guide to the 'Vidbir' final

How to watch

'Vidbir' is happening on Saturday 8 February with a start time of 17:30 CET. Viewers in Ukraine can watch it via broadcaster Suspilne. Anyone from outside of Ukraine who wants to watch 'Vidbir' will be able to stream it live on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel.

About Vidbir 2025

Ukraine is all set for the 2025 edition of its popular Eurovision national final Vidbir. 10 songs will be competing in Saturday night's pre-selection, with the winner earning the honour of flying that blue and yellow flag in Basel this May.

Broadcaster Suspilne has lined up a trio of seasoned hosts for viewers on Saturday night. Maria Efrosynina hosted the Eurovision Song Contest when it came to us from Kyiv 20 years ago in 2005, while Timur Miroshnychenko hosted the Kyiv 2017 Contest. Vasyl Baydak completes the lineup, having also hosted Vidbir in 2024.

As has come to be expected of it by now, the 2025 edition of Vidbir will offer viewers a star-studded lineup of guest performances.

Interval acts

Interval acts will come courtesy of former Eurovision acts for Ukraine - Ruslana, Jamala and Tina Karol. Plus, the group Badstreet Boys will take to the stage and we'll also be seeing a performance from Ukraine's Junior Eurovision 2024 singer Artem Kotenko, who will perform with Svitlana Tarabarova.

For the opening number, Suspilne has organised an all-star lineup of performers to sing a cover of the classic Ukrainian song Smile For Me by Nazariy Yaremchuk.

This extra-special rendition will be performed by some of Ukraine's most beloved Eurovision artists over the years: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil (2024), TVORCHI (2023), Timofiy Muzichuk of Kalush Orchestra (2022), Katerina Pavlenko of Go_A (2021), MELOVIN (2018), Jamala (2016), Tina Karol (2006) and Ruslana (2004).

Participants

The winner of Vidbir 2025 will be decided by a combination of a public vote and a jury vote. 

Below, you can listen to the 10 songs in the running to take that victory, as well as find out a little bit more about each of the artists behind them.

Vlad Sheryf — Wind of Change

A pop singer, songwriter, and music video director, Vlad Sheryf participated in Vidbir 2024 as a backing vocalist for alyona alyona and Jerry Heil. 

The song Wind of Change explores the feelings of a dreamer. Vlad is often standing at a crossroads of thoughts and wondering which path to choose each time, to finally achieve a goal.

Abiye  — Дім

A singer and songwriter, vocal coach and volunteer, Abiye rose to fame as a participant in The X Factor Ukraine (2018) and The Voice of Ukraine (2021). 

Дім is a manifesto against violence. It is not only about women's pain but also about the power of support and faith in healing.

MOLODI — my sea

A pop band from Mariupol, MOODI started their career as street musicians and have now become writers and sound producers for many well-known Ukrainian artists. 

my sea explores a longing for the native sea. It’s about strength arising through challenges, and faith helping overcome the toughest storms. 

Future Culture — Waste My Time

A Luhansk-Kyiv-based band founded in 2022, Future Culture has managed to create a unique sound, blending elements of many different styles. 

Waste My Time is an invitation to feel the magic of the moment. It’s about the ease and beauty within relationships that form between people in the rarest of moments.

Masha Kondratenko — No Time to Cry

A singer, songwriter, and trendsetter, Masha Kondratenko became an ambassador for Equal Ukraine by Spotify in 2024. 

The song No Time to Cry is about abnormal normality; a track created at the intersection of electronic and ethnic music, blending modern sound with choral singing. Its story is about light in the midst of boundless darkness.

KHAYAT — HONOR

A musician and songwriter, KHAYAT was a finalist in The Voice of Ukraine (2019) and runner-up in Vidbir 2020. The artist is known for combining elements of ethnic-pop and electronic music. 

His song HONOR emphasizes the importance of preserving national dignity and spiritual values. 

FIЇNKA — Культура

A singer, songwriter and an actress, FIЇNKA's songs are based on Hutsul motifs with dialect elements. 

Her Vidbir entry Культура is a deep reflection on the phenomenon of Ukrainian, particularly Hutsul, identity; which has withstood all challenges of time for centuries.

KRYLATA — STAY TRUE

KRYLATA is a singer and songwriter, and was a finalist in the Incredible Duets project, working closely with Jerry Heil (Ukraine's Eurovision 2024 singer). KRYLATA earned a 'Move to Reality' nomination at the Muzvar Awards 2024. 

The Vidbir song STAY TRUE explores the idea that the world is consumed by darkness and that you need to look in the mirror and listen to your inner voice, as well as the voice of those who are no longer around but still guide you forward.

Ziferblat — Bird of Pray

A band who define themselves as part of the new generation of Ukrainian music. Ziferblat's work is a delicate balance of originality, lightness and multi-instrumentalism. 

Their song Bird of Pray is a deep and emotional reflection on the realities that every Ukrainian faces daily. The powerful narrative resonates with the sense of hope that lives in people's hearts.

DK Energetyk — Сіль

A Kyiv-Brovary post-punk band, DK Energetyk gained wider recognition after being featured in the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2., which earned them a 'The Best New Names in Rock Music' win at the Muzvar Awards 2024. 

Сіль aims to serve as a reminder that the ultimate goal of everything is love, as love withstands all hardships, time and external influences.

The winner of Vidbir 2024 was the song Teresa & Maria, performed by alyona alyona & Jerry Heil.

At the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, Teresa & Maria took Ukraine to the Grand Final, where alyona alyona & Jerry Heil earned a third-place finish with a huge score of 453 points.

To keep up to date on everything leading up to the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, bookmark our Basel 2025 page and follow us on socials!

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