Susana Jamaladinova, better known by her stage name Jamala, is a famous Ukrainian singer and songwriter of Crimean Tatar origin, adored by Ukrainians and Europeans as well. She became very popular in Ukraine and Baltic countries in 2009, after she won the international song contest ‘New Wave’ in Yurmala. Since that time she released several successful albums, changed her style and experimented with various music genres.

Photo: Jamala Official Facebook page
In 2016 Jamala went to Sweden to represent Ukraine at Eurovision Song Contest with ‘1944’ composition, the lyrics to which she wrote by herself in 2014. The song is about the deportation of the Crimean Tatars in 1944 and particularly about her great-grandmother, who lost her daughter while being deported to Central Asia. The song caused a great response and were disputes about it. Most Jamal says in the book no reproaches: a song memory.

In the second semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Jamala performed 14th and reached the final, being among the ten participants who qualified for the Grand Final. As it was announced later, she placed 2nd, scoring 287 points and winning the television voting with 152 points. On May 14, 2016 Jamala won the competition with 534 points.

Photo: Jamala Official Facebook page
Jamala is the first Crimean Tatar who has ever performed at Eurovision in its history and the first representative of Muslim religion to win it. Receiving the award, Jamala thanked Europe for their votes wishing peace and love for everyone.
Congratulations to Jamala and let’s wait for next year’s Eurovision that will take place in Ukraine!