Belarus EBU suspension to expire in three years

BTRC, the public Belarusian broadcaster will be suspended from the EBU until 2024.  According to BTRC Director General Ivan Eismont, Belarus received a three year suspension from its EBU membership.  This is the highest suspension a country can get from the organization.

The EBU can of course, review its sanction and reduce its term.  However, the chances of this happening at this point are slim.  The European Broadcaster Union suspended BTRC because of the use of the Lukashenko government to the public channel as a propaganda tool.  Belarus has received international condemnation from different countries and organizations including the European Union for its response to civil protests and the deterioration of press freedom and civil liberties.

In this sense, BTRC will not return as a full member of the European Broadcasting Union until July 1, 2024.  However, if the human rights and rule of law situation in the country does not improve it cannot be excluded that the current sanctions will get extended.  As of now, Belarus will miss the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, 2023 and 2024.  Belarus would have the chance to return to the 2024 Junior Eurovision and to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0wfxz5zq04&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

Will you miss Belarus participation in Eurovision?  Stay tuned for more updates about Belarus in Eurovision!

Source: SB.by

All the information about the Greek entry in Eurovision 2022 so far!

ERT may have been accustomed to official announcements in the past years after the Christmas holidays, but the place in the top ten that Stefania brought to Rotterdam a few months ago whetted the appetite of the managers of the Greek public broadcaster, who want an even better placement in Italy. Thus, in contrast to what happened in previous years, we will soon have the first announcements, while there are many artists who are preparing to claim the Greek representation in Eurovision 2022. We will see all this briefly below.

How will ERT choose the artist and the song?

So far no final decision has been made on how the artist will be selected, but also the song that will represent Greece in the next song contest. Nevertheless, what seems most likely is a process similar to the one followed in 2020. An artistic committee of ERT to examine the proposals that will be submitted and decide on both the performer and the song. The difference with 2020 is that this time the process will be more open and with more publicity, giving the opportunity to any interested party to submit his proposal.

At the end of September, ERT will make the first announcements, giving a deadline of no more than two months, for those interested in wishing to represent Greece in Eurovision 2022. Immediately after, the proposals submitted to the committee will be evaluated and the most appropriate one will be selected. ERT’s goal is that by the end of the year, the Greek entry in the next song contest has been selected, so that there will be plenty of time for the video clip, the setting up of the stage presentation, but also the promotion of the song abroad.

Stefania’s good result this year, after eight years of failures, but also the professionalism shown by the ERT team in this year’s contest, has aroused the interest of many artists. Let us then look at three of them, who have already begun their preparations for claiming Greek representation in Eurovision 2022.

 

Kalomira wants to return

Kalomira wants it very much, but the same desire is shared by her record company Heaven. According to our information, Heaven is preparing a specific proposal in order to submit it to ERT, in a relatively short period of time. Kalomira is not unknown to the friends of the contest, since in 2008 she took the third place for Greece, with My Secret Combination.

Of course, this alone is not enough to bring the sweetest Kalomira back to the contest. ERT should announce the way in which the artist and song will be selected for Eurovision 2022, while of course Kalomira’s proposal should convince the managers of the Greek public television that it will bring a very good result for the country in the music competition, which will take place next May in Italy.

The interest from all the record companies, after this year’s tenth place of Stefania and the way ERT managed the Eurovision project, has reasonably increased and Kalomira is not the only one who is preparing….

Amanda from Norway wants to repeat Stefania’s success

Amanda Georgiadi or as she is known, Amanda Tenfjord, is a half Greek artist that lives and works in Norway. After this year’s successful participation with Stefania, ERT will probably want to repeat the successful experiment, sending a talented artist from abroad, thus capturing votes from countries that basically do not vote for Greece (this year Stefania received 10 points of the Dutch televoting).

Through her social networks, Amanda informs us about the fact that she was in the studio, for the recording of new songs. Of course, Eurovisionfun could not help but ask the expatriate, talented songwriter and singer if this recording has anything to do with the Eurovision Song Contest.

Amanda willingly answered us, telling us that she recorded three new songs, one of which is actually intended for Eurovision. She also revealed to us that she will visit Greece in the next months. Specifically, as soon as she performed the second dose of the vaccine, the young artist told us that she would come to Greece, in order to be here in the studio as well.

Good job Nicky is also preparing

Many eurofans in Greece would be extremely happy, if Good job Nicky would be the country’s representative in the next Eurovision Song Contest. Nikolas Varthakouris, who as Good Job Nicky has brought fresh air to the Greek music scene, is particularly positive about the possibility of participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, provided of course he finds the right song, which in turn will convince ERT that can be a worthy successor to Stefania and Last Dance.

The interest of Good Job Nicky to participate in Eurovision seems to be confirmed by Ermis (Hermes Geragidis), the composer-producer with whom Nikolas writes all his songs. When asked on Instagram about the possibility of seeing Nicky on the Eurovision stage, Ermis said ignorance laughing, but then nodded in agreement.

Vote in our poll

Of course, the interested artists are not exhausted in the above three names, since as we told you, many will be the ones who will try to claim the Greek representation for Eurovision 2022. But there are definitely three persons that will occupy us in the coming months. Vote in our poll below. Who you would like to represent Greece at Eurovision 2022, send your own message to ERT!

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the developments regarding the Greek entry at Eurovision 2022!

UK: James Newman wins copyright case

James Newman represented the United Kingdom on the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.  However, he has been working in the music industry as a songwriter way before.  In 2012 Newman had the inspiration for his song, Waiting All Night back when he was working in a restaurant.

British band Rudimental feat. ‘Waiting All Night’ Ella Eyre recorded Newman song which became a success in his home country. Waiting All Night reached Number 1 in the charts in 2013.  Furthermore, it won the ‘Best British Single Award’ at the Brit Awards.

However, Newman was sued by Kelly-Mary Smith.  Smith who is a member of the duo Nu-Tarna claimed she wrote the song in 2006. Smith sued Newman along with co-writer Jonny Harris and three members of Rudimental – Kesi Dryden, Piers Aggett and Amir Izadkhah.

Fortunately for Newman, judge Zacaroli from the High Court dismissed the claims.  To reach to this conclusion, the Court took into consideration the expert opinion of musicologists.  Notwithstanding that Waiting All Night shares some similarities with Smith’s track Can You Tell Me, these were limited.  According to this opinion, the similarities on the lyrics could be explained as “commonplace expressions”.

James Newman started a career in the music industry as a songwriter.  Moreover, he has become a singer in his own right.  Newman represented the UK in Eurovision 2022 with the song Embers.  Unfortunately he finished last with 0 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxNOynEJ6wc&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

 

Source

Turin Eurovision candidacy at risk after scandal as Bologna advances hosting preparations!

The selection process to know which city will host the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy are progressing.  Unfortunately for early favorite city Turin, an ongoing judicial investigation may seriously damage its chances to host the contest.  The company that manages Pala Alpitour (the proposed arena to host the competition in Turin) is investigated for its alleged involvement with the mafia.  At the same time, Bologna has continued their own preparations for their Eurovision candidacy.

Mafia scandal puts Turin candidacy at risk

Turin’s prefect, Claudio Palomba ordered an investigation against Parcolimpico srl.  The company faces accusations of having links with the mafia.  The potential consequences of such an investigation will likely jeopardize the future of the Turin candidacy.  Parcolimpico manage the facilities Turin inherited from the 2006 Winter Olympics.  This includes the Pala Alpitour arena, the proposed venue for Eurovision 2022.

The news has been confirmed by La Stampa, one of the most widely circulated newspapers in Italy.  The piece report also includes the statements of the Turin’s prefect.  Henceforth, these revelations put Turin’s candidacy in bad light.  After Måneskin’s Eurovision victory Turin was the early favorite to become the hosting city for 2022.

Bologna advances hosting preparations

Conversely, Bologna, one of the strongest candidate cities after Turin has presented to the press all the details of its candidacy.

For instance, in case RAI and the EBU select Bologna as the hosting city, the Insignia handover ceremony as well as the Semi-Final allocation draw will take place in January in the hall of Bologna’s city council.

According to the plans, the 2022 Eurovision carpet ceremony will keep its Turquoise color since the big sponsor of the event will be Moroccanoil.  The Turquoise party will take place in Piazza Maggiore’s U area.

Should the health conditions regarding the pandemic allows it, the Eurovillage will return to Piazza VIII Agosto, the largest square in Bologna.

Moreover, if the circumstances allow it the Euroclub will also make its return.  Bologna is planning to have its own Euroclub on Spazio DumBO , a huge closed parking lot.

As previously reported, Bologna has two potential host venues for Eurovision 2022: the Fiera and the Unipol Arena.

In short we will know which city will host the Eurovision 2022.  According to the EBU plans the city announcement will be public by the end of August.  There are still 11 cities competing to host the event including  of course, Turin and Bologna.

 

Which city do you think will host the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest?

 

Greece: What is Kalomira preparing? EXCLUSIVE

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Kalomira, who spends her holidays in Greece with her husband, her children, but also her friends, has been showing intense mobility lately. Is all this activity related, in the middle of summer, in fact, to a possible claim of the Greek representation in Eurovision 2022?

Kalomira returns to musical things!

A few hours ago Kalomira updated the cover photo on her social media, something very strange of course for the time we are at.

The truth is that Kalomira has been in Greece for a long time, while she did not go unnoticed and some meetings she had in the previous period with her partners in Heaven, with whom from the first steps of her career she maintains very good professional, but also friendly relations.

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Kalomira (@itskalomira)

Is this return related to Eurovision 2022?

Of course, everyone’s first thought is whether the artistic reactivation of Kalomira is related to a possible Greek representation at Eurovision 2022.

It is known, she has also revealed, that she had some discussions with RIK in order to represent Cyprus in this year’s contest. The pandemic, however, did not give her much opportunity to give a positive answer, since any trips from the USA where she lives with her family, were almost forbidden. She said then:

It was a risk with the coronavirus to travel with the children. There I put the brake.

But 2022 is a new year and Kalomira is more and more in Greece. Her interest in Eurovision, as she has said from time to time, remains a given and she would like to be on the stage of the competition again.

Yes, I would go to Eurovision in the future. The children have now grown up. I would like my children to see me on stage. They have not understood that I am a singer. They asked me why they were interviewing me.

How likely is it to see Kalomira at Eurovision 2022?

Let us now turn to the crucial question. Is it possible to see Kalomira representing the Greek colors? She wants it very much, but the same desire is shared by her record company Heaven. According to our information, Heaven is preparing a specific proposal in order to submit it to ERT, in a relatively short period of time.

Of course, this alone is not enough to bring the sweetest Kalomira back to the contest. ERT should announce the way in which the artist and song will be selected for Eurovision 2022, while of course Kalomira’s proposal should convince the managers of the Greek public television that it will bring a very good result for the country in the music competition, which will take place next May in Italy.

The interest from all the record companies, after this year’s tenth place of Stefania and the way ERT managed the Eurovision project, has reasonably increased and Kalomira is not the only one who is preparing….

However, it is no coincidence that even on the feast of Kalomira a few days ago, Heaven hurried to remind us of Secret Combination through its social networks, the song with which in 2008 the then 23-year-old singer, gave to Greece the third place .

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Kalomira (@itskalomira)

How do you see the possible return of Kalomira to the contest? Tell us in the comments below!


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Italy: 11 cities remain in the Eurovision 2022 claim!

August 4th was the first important date for the 66th Eurovision Song Contest. This was the deadline for submitting the application files of the cities wishing to host the contest next May. Of the 17 cities that initially expressed interest, only 11 finally submitted completed proposals. By the end of this month, RAI and EBU will announce the city that will have the honor, but also the responsibility to host Eurovision 2022! Read more

Belarus: Lukashenko goes after Eurovision/Junior Eurovision stars

The Lukashenko regime has been in the news recently for its rapid drift towards authoritarianism.  Belarusian athlete, Kristina Tsimanuskaya was the center of an international scandal during the Tokyo summer Olympics.  The Belarus delegation tried to deport her by force to her country after she criticized the Belarus coaching staff.  Furthermore, Tsimanuskaya stated that she was in danger if she returned to Belarus.

Sadly, the ongoing political situation in Belarus is also affecting musicians in this country.  There is a “blacklist” of athletes, artists and personalities who are labeled as ‘enemies’ of the Lukashenko regime.  This blacklist includes former Eurovision and Junior Eurovision representatives.  In addition, Evgeniy Perlin who host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Minsk is targeted in this list.

The disturbing list of public enemies of the regime include among others:

Volha Satsiuk (4th place JESC 2003)

Ksenia Sitnik (1st place JESC 2005)

Alexey Zhigalkovich (1st place JESC 2007)

Angelica Agurbash (13th place in the ESC 2005 Semifinals)

Polina Smolova (22nd place in the ESC Semifinals 2006)

Dmitriy Koldun (6th place ESC 2007)

Litesound (16th place in the 2nd Semifinal ESC 2012)

Uzari (12th place in the 1st Semifinal ESC 2015)

Naviband (17th place ESC 2017)

VAL (selected representatives in the canceled ESC 2020)

We will continue reporting about any updates on these concerning news developments.

 

Netta joins Little Big in ‘Moustache’

Eurovision winner 2018 Netta is joining forces with Little Big (Russia 2020) in ‘Moustache’.  The song will be available on August 6.

Little Big made this announcement on their Instagram.  They wrote: “We think you’ll like our «Moustache».  New single feat. @nettabarzi”.  In the same publication they revealed the artwork of their new single.

Netta won the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.  This marked the first victory for Israel since 1998.  Meanwhile, Little Big were due to represent Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 which was cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic.  They performed during the 2021 Russian national final.

Are you excited to listen to Moustache by Little Big and Netta?

 

 

 

Sweden: With a song by Alex P, Darin at Melodifestivalen 2022?

We found an interesting collaboration on social networks. The Greek-born and successful composer and producer Alex P, is in the studio with one of the most commercial artists and a desire of many Swedish eurofans, to represent their country at Eurovision, Darin.

Although Alex P has already successfully represented three countries in the Eurovision Song Contest (Greece, Azerbaijan and Cyprus), with Fuego of course standing out, he has not yet attempted to represent Sweden, the country in which he resides and became initially known. .

With the start date for Melodifestivalen 2022 approaching (August 27) and after the huge commercial success of this year’s Eurovision, it is possible that the song that Alex P and Victor Svensson are preparing for Darin may be a possible participation in Sweden’s national final.

Darin is 34 years old and of Kurdish origin. He started his career at 16, when he took second place in Idol, signing a record deal with Sony BMG. In 2010 she participated in the Melodifestivalen with the ballad You’re Out Of My Life, finishing fourth in the final. He followed a brilliant and successful career, with gold and platinum records, but also with many No. 1 hits. Although he is considered one of the most commercial and successful artists in Sweden, he has not yet attempted to return to the Melodifestivalen, as most of his colleagues are accustomed to. It is considered by many to be Sweden’s golden reserve for the Eurovision Song Contest and not unjustly…

Is Darin the artist Alex P was looking for to compete in the Melodifestivalen?


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Vaccine Hallelujah! Mr. Lordi got fully vaccinated against covid

Mr. Lordi took his second covid-vaccine in Rovaniemi, Finland.  The lead singer of the band Lordi and 2006 Eurovision winner got fully vaccinated in a public event.  The aim of this public event was to encourage more people to get their two doses of the vaccine.

Mr. Lordi was not the only Finnish celebrity participating in this campaign.  Santa Claus also announced that (due to his age) he had taken the second shot of the covid vaccine.  According to Markku Broas, Chief Physician of Infectious Diseases of the Lapland Hospital District (LSHP) the event was a success.  The number of people who attended the event to get their vaccine, in particular young people increased after the event.

They put a big needle in my arm, and that’s exactly why I came here. This was my second vaccine dose

Mr. Lordi also reflected on the effects of the pandemic.  Because of the ongoing pandemic Mr. Lordi “can no longer recall” how many times his band had to postpone or cancel tour dates.  However, he has been productive during this time.

Lordi has been working in Rovaniemi, Finland.  The Eurovision winners have recorded seven albums during the epidemic.

Source: Yle