ESC+Plus has talked to Viktoria Petryk, runner-up of Junior Eurovision 2008 and semifinalist of the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision 2016. The young singer will perform “Overload”, composed by Ylva & Linda Persson, in the second semi-final to take place today:
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision 2016!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
My name is Victoriya Petryk! I am 18 years old, in May 19. For the past 15 years, I have been engaged in my favorite thing. I give the people a good mood and make them happy through music, through my songs. The past 14 years, I have participated in many competitions. The biggest contests in my musical career include: the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 in Cyprus, Junior New Wave 2010 in Crimea, and the New Wave 2014 in Jurmala.
E+: What impelled you to take part in the Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016?
am an ambitious person, the kind of person who sets goals and tries to achieve them come what may. Performing on the adult Eurovision is something I have wanted to do since childhood. It would be desirable for the Ukrainian people if they believed in me, and gave me the opportunity to represent our country on a high and worthy level during the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.
E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the semi-final? Did you expect it?
I am participating for the second time in the Eurovision national selection from our country. The first time was in 2014. I did not have quite enough votes in order to represent our country in such a wide scale and wonderful competition. After that, we started preparing for Eurovision 2015. But unfortunately, at that time, Ukraine was in a difficult situation. As a result, Ukraine did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 due to political and economic reasons. I am now trying my hand for a second time. Of course I was very happy to go to the semifinals. This is a step forward. I need to take just these next two steps, in order to represent our country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stogolme. I hope that I will succeed.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Ukraine?
For me it is an honor to represent my country. It means people trust me, hoping that I will be able to bring victory to our country. This means they believe in me. This is exciting and a huge responsibility for me. I cannot let them down, especially at a time when my country is going through a difficult period, a period of rebirth.
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
When I was preparing for the Eurovision Song Contest last year, my team prepared a lyrical, heartbreaking song “Freedom”. This time, we decided that the song should be fun, energetic and of course about love. The song “Overload” was written by talented sisters, Ylva and Linda from Sweden. Despite what is happening around all of us, around city or country, everything what happens to us: loss, betrayal, the devastation of the soul, we can “overload” our hearts and love again. This song is about that.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
This song reflects me and reflects the individuality of each person. Despite the fact that this song is catchy, positive, and fun; it’s about the very real feelings of love. That we are all people, and that everything is in our hands. It is with this song, I want to share this message for all people to hear during the song contest. The song, Overload has chances to take a leading position and of course I will try to show all the beauty and sensuality of this song.
E+: How are you preparing your stage performance for the Ukrainian live shows?
Preparation is in full swing. Rehearsals are every day from early morning until late evening. I cannot go in detail and answer this question, because it is constantly changing something. Many ideas. Yesterday it was so and so, and now it is another. I would not be surprised if tomorrow I’ll come to a rehearsal and see something new.
E+: How do you remember your participation in Junior Eurovision 2008?
It was a great event in my life. I was only 6 points away from first place. But even considering the fact that I won the silver medal, it was not a forgotten feelings. Huge energy flow of spectators, and talented wonderful children from other countries. I made friends with all of them then. It was a wonderful time and experience for me.
E+: Have you ever thought about taking part at the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision along with your sister Anastasia?
I have not thought about it, but it’s a very interesting proposal. It will be necessary to consider, but we need to wait until Anastasiya reaches the right age that will allow us to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. But I’m sure that Nastya, just as I am dreaming too, wants to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest originally as a solo. Then maybe a duet.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
I always watch competitions of this magnitude. I’m always interested to hear new songs, and watch the performers I do not know yet. Each year, the Eurovision Song Contest can carve out some interesting songs for myself and not one, but even a few. If you look at the presented songs that were sung last year, I really liked the song Polina Gagarina – A Million Voices (Russia), Måns Zelmerlöw – Heroes (Sweden), as well as, Aminata Savadogo – Love Injected (Latvia). The Eurovision 2013 I really liked Esma & Lozano – Pred Da Se Razdeni (Macedonia). In Eurovision 2012 I liked Loreen – Euphoria (Sweden). These are the first names that come to my mind. In fact, there are a lot of interesting and beautiful songs that can be heard in such competitions as the Eurovision Song Contest. So I’m always happy watching the contest with my family. This year I would like to not watch Eurovision on our home TV screen, but instead become one of the participants of this beautiful and spectacular competition.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
An interesting question, but perhaps I would like to sing along with Loreen. I remember her unusual manner of execution and a nice strong voice.
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
I have a lot of plans that I want to do. Right now my younger sister Anastasiya Petryk and I, released 4 new songs, one of which is a duet. We have all ready produced our first video clips. Now we are recording our first album “Popolam”. We plan to record more video clips, and we also plan to make a tour of Europe with our album!
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
I wish you all peace, happiness and of course love! Live in peace, do good and love each other!
Thanks for your time and good luck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0YNapg4f9k