A total of eigtheen acts will participate in the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2016, as has been revealed today. The lineup features newcomers as well as former national selection and Eurovision participants.

The acts who will fight for Ukraine’s ticket to Eurovision 2016 are:

1. Aida Nikolajchuk
2. ALLOISE
3. Anastasia Prykhodko
4. Arkadij Vojtjuk
5. Brunettes Shoot Blondes
6. Jamala
7. Japanda
8. Lavika
9. NeAngely (Nuangels)
10. Peaks of Kings
11. Pringlez
12. Pur:Pur
13. SunSay
14. Svitlana Tarabarova
15. The Hardkiss
16. Tonja Matvienko
17. Victoria Petryk
18. Vladislav Kurasov

Anastasia Prykhodko previously represented Russia on homeground in Eurovision 2009 and participated in Ukraine’s nationa selection two years later with Action!. Victoria Petryk came second in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest of 2008 and finished second in Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision 2014. Jamala and NeAngely are also previous national final participants.

Jamala finishing third in Ukraine’s 2011 selection with Smile:

The Ukrainian selection will be made of two semifinals held on 6 and 13 February, with the grand final on 21 February. The allocation draw to the semifinals will take place tomorrow.

“The criteria in the selection of the participants included high-quality original materials, charismatic performances and good level of vocals. There are a variety of genres – from folk music to hard rock. We made no distinction between well-known and novice artists; All the artists who advanced to the semifinal stage of the national selection can represent Ukraine in the best way at the Eurovision Song Contest”, said Konstantin Meladze, who will be a part of the jury at the selection along with former participants Andrey Danilko (Verka Serduchka) and Ruslana, has commented on the selection of artists

Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for more news about Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016