A Ukrainian band’s folk and hip-hop anthem about the war-torn nation is the favorite to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Italy.

Kalush Orchestra’s entry Stefania was written before the war but has become an anthem to the motherland.

Twenty-five bands are set to compete Saturday, May 14,  in the grand final of the annual songwriting contest, an event intended to celebrate diversity and promote friendship among nations.

The folk-rap band jumped to their feet, waving the Ukrainian flag as it was announced they had qualified from the first semi-final in Turin.

Last year, 183 million people watched the televised competition.