[6] "Stefania" was an entry in Vidbir 2022, the televised music competition organised by the Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC) to determine its entrant for the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The winner was selected via a 50/50 combination of votes from a public televote and a three-member expert jury,[8] consisting of 2006 and 2016 Ukrainian entrants Tina Karol and Jamala, alongside Yaroslav Lodyhin [uk] a board member of UA:PBC.

[17] Two days after they accepted, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and "Stefania" subsequently became a popular wartime soundtrack on social media.

[18][19] On 2 April, UA:PBC confirmed that Kalush Orchestra and the rest of its delegation were given permission from state authorities to leave the country to participate in the contest, adding that the group would also take part in promotional events across Europe to raise donations for war relief efforts.

[20][21][22] On 10 May 2022, the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest was held at the PalaOlimpico in Turin hosted by Radiotelevisione italiana (RAI) and broadcast live throughout the continent and abroad.

[23][24] On 14 May 2022, Kalush Orchestra performed again "Stefania" twelfth in a field of twenty-six in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest.

[25][26] After winning Eurovision, Kalush Orchestra collected 54 million hryvnias in support of Ukraine through its concerts, charity meetings and auctions.

[citation needed] During their time at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2022, Kalush Orchestra performed "Stefania" for female volunteers who help Ukrainian refugees in London.

The group additionally performed the song at the Royal Horse Guards Parade in front of the Palace of Whitehall in central London.

[citation needed] In August 2022, Kalush Orchestra performed in the Italian city of Monopoli at the Madonna della Madia festival, with the participation of Ukrainian immigrant children,[30][31] who danced and sang "Stefania" on stage.

The video depicts military women in destroyed cities taking numerous children away from burning and bombed-out buildings, and returning them to their mothers.