this is a public service post...

Ruslana won last night's Eurovision Song Contest. If, like me, you think Eurovision is absolute poo, and didn't bother watching it, then this is for you. I thought it was important that we all knew as much as possible about this star whose "potential is remarkable." Although, I am still unclear about whether she is the porn star who comes up when you Google her name. Ruslana has her own site, but it is down at the moment because the people who run it for her had to go to Istanbul with her for the competition. I am sure it will be back up just as soon as they return. I took most of this, unedited, from an official Ukranian website:

Who is Ruslana?

Ruslana is a Ukranian singer...She is a cult figure among the most popular Ukrainian singers, composers and producers. Ruslana has done two graduate degrees in music. Her potential is remarkable; Ruslana possesses powerful vocal abilities, exclusive manner of performance, originality of style, colourful ethnic appeal, powerful energy, diligence, drive and expression capable of thrilling and carrying away a stadium crowd.

Ruslana was born on May, 24 at the city of  Lvov. She was engaged in music and a vocal since four years. In childhood Ruslana sang in group “ Orion ”, later - in children's ensemble “ Smile ”. After the she has finished study at musical school, the future female singer has began study in the Lvov conservatory on conductor’s faculty. She not only singer, she is also the professional pianist. By the way, when she passed conductor’s examinations one examiner has graded mark “ bad ” to her, but another has graded  “ best ”.

What kind of music does she make?

A style which can be informally called “drive-ethno-dance” (a synthesis of many elements makes it difficult to give a precise definition), full of unique distinctive flavor that Europe has never seen before.

The musical stylistics of the Wild Dances include:

-      The ‘drive’ of rock music;

-      Energy of modern dance-music;

-      Variety of ‘mountain’ rhythms and motives.

Elements of the Carpathian flavor are as follows: catchy Hutsul music, ‘drive’, mystical character and energy at the same time (dances, rituals, use of ‘mountain’ costumes etc). Based on this flavor, Ruslana has created her own unique style in music (rhythm and melodic sounds), dances (moderns moves based on ancient Carpathian dances), and clothes.
 
What is her image?

The image of Ruslana is unique, original and exotic. It consists of a unique vocal manner (ethnical mountain melisms, authentic sounds and exclamations) and of a driving and energetic model of stage behavior that reflects the ‘mountain’ temper that is characteristic of the Singer.

How will she perform at Eurovision?

Ruslana’s performance at Eurovision will also be accompanied by an igniting dancing show performed Zhyttia Ballet (‘Life’ Ballet). By style the dancing will be a synthesis of modern dancing art and national Ukrainian rhythmoplastics. The authors of the dancing concept will try to eliminate the border between the Ancient and the Modern, develop a unique dance style, which can potentially become a hit at discothèques.

Ruslana’s performance at Eurovision will be a combination of music, dancing, costumes, haircut and makeup solutions.

The dancing performance will also be based on the brightest parts of Ruslana’s two-hour show created in the framework of her all-Ukrainian tour to support The Wild Dances album. It will also contain some very ancient and newly-discovered Carpathian traditions, which are being implemented into the main concept of the Song at this moment.

While Ruslana is planning a few more expeditions to the Carpathians, the rest of her time before Eurovision she plans to dedicate to studio work, rehearsals and promotional activities.
 
What will she wear at Eurovision?

The costumes of Ruslana and her dancing team will be made using the brightest elements of the costumes from the show of The Wild Dances (main elements being leather, incrustation and metal parts). All parts of them will be exclusively created for the show. Decorations for the costumes are currently being created by the designers and jewelers. A few of them are ordered from the ethnical craftsmen of the Carpathian mountains, who have used their craft secrets to produce them. The image of Ruslana and her dancers will also be supplemented by tattoos and body art elements.

The song

Here is the lyrics for the song. My Ukranian is not too good, but I think it's got something to do with dancing wildly. If this is not enough for you, the full song can be downloaded from here.

Wild Dances

Just maybe I’m crazy
The world spins round and round and round
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-ree-kee-dam-day
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-kee-ree-a-dam-da

I want you to want me
As I dance round and round and round
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-ree-kee-dam-day
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-kee-ree-a-dam-da

Forever and ever
Go, go, go, wild dancers

    Die-na, die-na, wanna be loved
    Die-na, gonna take my wild chances
    Die-na, die-na, freedom above
    Die-na, die-na-day, I’m wild dancin’

Hey

Napevno, daremno
Bula ya nadto chemna
Hey, shee-kee-die, shee-ree-kee-dam-day
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-kee-ree-a-dam-da

Dlya tebe, dlya sebe
Zastelyu tsile nebo
Hey, dam-day
Shee-ree-kee-die, shee-kee-ree-a-dam-da

Bez zhalyu zapalyu
Go, go, go, wild dancers

    Die-na, die-na, wanna be loved
    Die-na, gonna take my wild chances
    Die-na, die-na, freedom above
    Die-na, die-na-day, I’m wild dancin’

Hey-ey-ey...

Dance forever, come and be mine
Dance together, till the end of time
Dance together
Go, go, go, wild dancers

    Die-na, die-na, wanna be loved
    Die-na, gonna take my wild chances
    Die-na, die-na, freedom above
    Die-na, die-na-day, I’m wild dancin’

Hey, hey

Performer: Ruslana Lyzhychko
Music: Ruslana Lyzhychko
Poetry: Ruslana Lyzhychko / Oleksandr Ksenofontov

UPDATE: I have just heard the song for the first time, and I take back everything...It is actually pretty good. I am feeling a little bit guilty at the cheap laughs...I am feeling very evil.