Serhiy Prytula

Serhiy Dmytrovych Prytula (; born 22 June 1981 in Zbarazh, Ukraine) is a Ukrainian public and political figure, who gained his popularity as a TV presenter and actor. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine he has founded Prytula Charity Foundation and focused on fundraising money for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His most successful fundraising campaign was People's Bayraktar, which resulted in donations to purchase Baykar Bayraktar TB2 UAVs and also a reconnaissance satellite for Ukraine. Early life and education Serhiy was born on 22 June 1981 in the city of Zbarazh, in Ukraine's western Ternopil Oblast. In 1997, he placed second in a contest for high-school students presenting their scientific works, organized by the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Serhiy graduated from high school with a gold medal and entered the Ternopil Academy of National Economy (now West Ukrainian National University). During his studies at the academy, Serhiy was an active participant of several youth organizations. He helped establish an informal union of artists. Career on radio and television In 1998, Prytula was successful in casting for a radio presenter. In January 1999, he appeared on Radio Ternopil 106.1 FM under the nickname Siryi ("Grey" in Ukrainian, a word play on his first name Serhiy). In 1999, Prytula paid for a course in one of London's colleges and passed term exams remotely. In 2000-2001, he studied in London. Disappointed with studying, Prytula tried a number of jobs in London: from a builder and loader to a waiter and cook's helper. After return to Ternopil, he took the position of Student Dean at a college, and also resumed work on "Radio Ternopil". Prytula has hosted the morning show Pidiom (eng. “Wake up!”) and the talent show Ukraine Does not Believe in Tears on Novyi Kanal. From 2017 to 2020, Prytula served as a host of Vidbir, Ukraine's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Between 2006 and 2009, Prytula was a regular participant of the standup TV show Real Comedy, where he cultivated a sarcastic image from sharply addressing Ukrainian celebrities.