- Title: Ukrainians celebrate as Jamala wins Eurovision contest
- Date: 15th May 2016
- Summary: PEOPLE SINGING
- Embargoed: 30th May 2016 02:29
- Keywords: Eurovision Jamala Crimean Tatar Ukraine song contest deportation 1944
- Location: KIEV, UKRAINE
- City: KIEV, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA0024HS4LZB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Dozens of Ukrainians gathered at a traditional Crimean Tatar restaurant in central Kiev to watch the live broadcast of Eurovision 2016 song contest.
They clapped enthusiastically and waved Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian flags as 32-year-old Jamala was announced the winner.
A Tatar, Jamala sang "1944" featuring lyrics about deportations by the Soviet Union.
Some fans got emotional as she was announced the winner.
"I cannot express it in words because - you know - it is simply unbelievable for Crimean Tatars. All Ukrainians supported us today. The whole world supported us. It is not simply a political thing, it is a talent," said native Crimean Tatar, Ayder Muzhdabayev.
Jamala sang about Joseph Stalin's deportation of hundreds of thousands of people from her Black Sea homeland.
She represented Ukraine at the Eurovision, two years after Russia annexed the territory.
"At the moment it means everything to me. It was my dream, I do not know, I have been thinking about it every second. I have no words, I have no words. It is a huge happiness," said fan Anife.
Jamala became the second Ukrainian winner of Eurovision after Ruslana Lyzhychko won with a song "Wild Dances" in 2004. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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