By showing band members performing amidst shelled buildings, the video serves as a documentary-style message of what Ukraine looked like at that moment in history.
The song was written before the 2022 Russian invasion as an ode to Psiuk’s mother, also named Stefania. kalush_orchestra_stefania_official_video_eurovi...
Directed by Max Ksjonda, the official video was filmed in April 2022 in the war-torn suburbs of Kyiv, including Bucha, Irpin, Borodianka, and Hostomel . By showing band members performing amidst shelled buildings,
It blends modern hip-hop with traditional Ukrainian folk, featuring iconic woodwind instruments like the sopilka and telenka . It blends modern hip-hop with traditional Ukrainian folk,
"Stefania," performed by Kalush Orchestra , stands as a landmark moment in Eurovision history. While it was originally written as a personal tribute to frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother, the official music video , released on just after their victory—transformed the track into a haunting anthem of resistance and resilience for Ukraine.
The video centers on female soldiers navigating ruins to rescue children. This shifts the "mother" figure from Psiuk's parent to "Mother Ukraine," protecting her people.