Which six countries will be in Sofia this weekend for the shooting of Live On Tape? EXCLUSIVE

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Six countries will shoot Live On Tape next weekend in Sofia. As we first revealed to you on March 15, the production company that hosted the Junior Eurovision 20215 in Bulgaria, has prepared a scene with high standards and specifications for the video of the live on tape, the live show that the EBU is asking of everyone the participants of this year’s contest.

The six countries that will be in Sofia

The six participants who will travel to Bulgaria over the weekend to shoot the live on tape are as follows:

  • Bulgaria with Victoria and Growing Up Is Getting Old
  • Greece with Stefania and Last Dance
  • Cyprus with Elena Tsagrinou and El Diablo
  • Croatia with Albina and Tick-Tock
  • Malta with Destiny and Je Me Casse
  • Moldova with Natalia Gordienko and Sugar

What is Live On tape?

According to what was announced, all participating broadcasters were asked to record a live performance of their participation in their country or somewhere else. This recording will be delivered before the contest and will take place in a studio. The recording will take place in real time (as it would in the Contest) without making changes to the vocals or any part of the show itself after the recording.

There will be freedom in the missions, to present as they consider their entries better, but instructions will be given which will ensure the fairness and integrity of the competition. There will be no audience and the recording should be unique and not be published before the event in May.

Delegations are allowed to use similar technical capabilities and dimensions that would be available on stage in Rotterdam, but are also free to choose a more limited production facility. Video recordings must not contain augmented or virtual reality, overlays, confetti, drone shots, water, color use or green screen.

Of course Eurovisionfun will keep you informed of everything that will happen in Sofia this important weekend.

Eleni Foureira: “I wanted to represent Greece at Eurovision Song Contest”!

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Eleni Foureira was invited to the historical show of the Greek television “Enopios Enopio” with Nikos Hatzinikolaou on ANT1. The popular singer, among other things, referred to the Eurovision song contest, saying that she wanted to represent Greece, sending her message to ERT!

Eleni Foureira mentioned her difficult childhood years in Albania, her future professional plans, her personal life, but also her experience with her participation in the Eurovision song contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a big drug… When I went, it was mainly to prove to myself that I can do it. I am glad that I made Cyprus and Greece proud. I reached a very good result and if I go again I can do better, but also to destroy everything… I wanted to represent Greece in Eurovision!

Eleni Foureira

Eleni Foureira represented Cyprus in Eurovision 2018 with Fuego, reaching the second place, the best place in the country’s history in the contest!

Would you like to see Eleni Foureira representing Greece this time?

 

Stefania: “I will take the 12 points from The Netherlands”! (Video)

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In the show of the TV station SKAI, Love It with Ioanna Maleskou, Stefania and one of the composrs of “Last Dance”, Dimitris Kontopoulos, were connected live a while ago.

Directly from Amsterdam, where the recording of the greek entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is taking place, they talked about the song and the upcoming contest.

Regarding “Last Dance”, Dimitris Kontopoulos stressed that:

Yesterday’s recording went very well and we have a few more hours left tonight in Rotterdam. “Last Dance” is a pop track with some 80s elements, a modern track in a genre that is currently playing around the world. The message of the song is that sometimes, we think the end has come, and when that comes there is always a new beginning. It is optimistic, it can be called “Last Dance” but in essence it conveys the message that… this is not the last dance!

Stefania in turn expressed her joy that she will represent Greece in the contest:

They ask me why I am not participating again for the Netherlands and I answer that I have already represented the Netherlands (in JESC) and now I want to go and bring something better for Greece. I know that Fokas will help me a lot and we will bring a good result for Greece.

Dimitris Kontopoulos, jokingly when asked by a journalist whether there will be a Greek element in the song, said that:

The dancers on stage will be Greek, the Greek flag will be everywhere I hope, when we get the points. This will be the Greek element!

Stefania was sure that she will get the 12 points from the Netherlands, the country that was born and lives with her family.

I will get the 12 points from the Netherlands!

At the end of the interview, Stefania gave us another flawless interpretation of last year’s song, “SUPERG! RL”.

You can watch the whole interview in the video below (it’s in Greek):

Greece: “Last Dance” is Stefania’s song for Eurovision 2021!

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It is a fact, ERT a few minutes ago revealed the title of the song that will represent Greece at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, in May in Rotterdam. The committee of the Greek public television decided that out of the five songs that Stefania’s synthetic team submitted to the crisis, Last Dance is the one that will be the 41st Greek entry in the contest!

The ERT Press Release:

Με το τραγούδι «Last dance» και τη Stefaniaη Ελλάδα στην Eurovision 2021

Με ένα χορευτικό τραγούδι που έχει τον τίτλο «Last dance» η Στεφανία Λυμπερακάκη (Stefania) θα εκπροσωπήσει την Ελλάδα στον 65o Πανευρωπαϊκό Διαγωνισμό Τραγουδιού της  Eurovision 2021, που διεξάγεται από τις 18 έως τις 22 Μαΐου στο Ρότερνταμ της Ολλανδίας, μετά την περσινή αναβολή του λόγω της πανδημίας του κορωνοϊού. Το «Last dance» είναι μια σύνθεση των Δημήτρη Κοντόπουλου, Arcade, Sharon Vaughn, ενώ creative director για την οπτικοποίηση του τραγουδιού θα είναι ο Φωκάς Ευαγγελινός.

Η σχετική απόφαση ελήφθη από κοινού από την επιτροπή που συγκροτήθηκε στην ΕΡΤ για την επιλογή του τραγουδιού, σε συνεργασία με την καλλιτεχνική ομάδα της Στεφανίας στην οποία ανατέθηκε η επιμέλεια της συμμετοχής στην 65η Eurovision, ύστερα από ακρόαση πέντε τραγουδιών που προτάθηκαν από τους δημιουργούς. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι η Ελλάδα θα εμφανιστεί στον Β΄ Ημιτελικό, που έχει προγραμματιστεί στις 20 Μαΐου 2021.

Stefania’s “last dance” with a recipe for success

Stefania (Stefania Lymperakaki), now 18 years old, will have another opportunity to represent Greece in the Eurovision contest, after its cancellation last year due to the pandemic. With a completely different song from SUPERG!RL, ​​Stefania hopes to move the audience of Europe and Australia, achieving a very good result.

Dimitris Kontopoulos, ARCADE and Sharon Vaughn, all important creators with parchments inside and outside the contest, hope that 2021 will be the year of Greece. Fokas Evangelinos is preparing to do a great job, making another stage presentation that will be discussed.

The next steps of the Greek delegation

On Sunday 10/1 Stefania is coming to Greece again, in order to make the final recording of Last Dance. The song is orchestrated and as a production is in its final form. The video clip will take place in February, with director Kostas Karydas as director for the second consecutive year.

The presentation of the song will take place in March, without having yet decided how. Do not forget that at the end of March, the Greek delegation must deliver to the EBU the live on tape video, while at the meeting of the HoDs, which is scheduled for March 15, in addition to the video clip, it must have submitted the complete concept of the stage appearance.

 

 

ERT’s expectations for Last Dance are high

Both the artistic team and ERT have high expectations from the Greek entry this year. Everyone’s goal is to place high in the standings, achieving the best result of Greece in the last 10 years in the contest.

Eurovisionfun is one of the lucky ones who listened to the song and we agree that this targeting is completely realistic. The song is faithful to the musical current of the time (80s pop), but with a modern orchestration, highlighting in the best way the voice skills of Stefania. It could very well be a song by Dua Lipa, while it also stands out lyrically.

It also has messages for the difficult situation we all experienced in 2020, with young people “missing” important moments, from the most beautiful period of their lives, but the future must be bright, since it can not and will not be the last dance…

We remind you that Greece will compete in the first part of the second semifinal of Eurovision 2021, on May 20.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments regarding the Greek entry, since you are constantly learning everything exclusively and in time here!

 

Greece: This is how Stefania’s song for Eurovision 2021 will be decided! EXCLUSIVE

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The time for decissions in Greece have arrived! In the coming days, ERT will announce the way it will choose the song with which Stefania will participate in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest. Eurovision Fun exclusively brings you the latest information.

Five songs for Stefania

As it has already become known, Stefania on her last trip to Athens, recorded five potential songs for Eurovision. Among them there is a song that the young singer and her team choose in order to be the song that will be the Greek entry in the contest.

The composers of these five songs, of course, are the same group that signed SUPERG!RL. Dimitris Kontopoulos, Sharon Vaughn and ARCADE.

ERT’s decision to select the song

In the coming days, the ERT team that deals with the contest, will meet once again, in order to make the final decisions on how to choose the Greek entry in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

According to all our exclusive information, the preferred solution is the internal choice. The new television data due to the pandemic, the time limits that are narrowing at a time when this year requires more time for the artistic team to prepare the live on tape video, but also the difficulties that exist in travel, made ERT revise the initial of her plans, which was to conduct an open selection.

The above practically means that a process similar to the one followed in the last two years will probably be chosen. Before one wonders why there is no an online process like the one in the Czech Republic or in part in Israel, the answer is that it is not possible at the moment. Stefania recorded 5 demos, they are not complete recordings. If this choice was hypothetically chosen, Stefania would have to come to Greece again in the next few days (to pass the necessary quarantine), complete the recordings and then proceed to the online voting. Another month would be wasted, while the candidate songs would have to be made public so early, something the artistic team does not want.

However, fortunately, and if the situation with the pandemic is brought under control, ERT intends even next year to hold a national final for the selection of the Greek entry, listening to the desire of many artists, but also fans.

ERT loves Eurovision and if we think about the shift of Greek public broadcaster to a commercial and entertainment program this year, we are optimistic that we will see beautiful things in the part that concerns the contest.

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the news regarding the Greek entry in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest!

Editorial: How fair will the “live on tape video” be for Eurovision 2021?

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The announcement of the EBU and the Dutch organizers for the live on tape video that will be made by the 41 participants of Eurovision 2021, although it ensures that the contest will take place even in the worst case scenario regarding the course of the pandemic, but leaves many questions in the part of justice and equal conditions that should govern the competition.

What exactly is live on tape video?

According to what was announced, all participating broadcasters were asked to record a live performance of their entry in their country. This recording will be delivered before the contest and will take place in a studio. The recording will take place in real time (as it would in the Contest) without making changes to the vocals or any part of the show itself after the recording.

There will be freedom in the delegations, to present as they consider their entries better, but instructions will be given which will ensure the fairness and integrity of the competition. There will be no audience and the recording should be unique and not be published before the event in May.

Delegations are allowed to use similar technical capabilities and dimensions that would be available on stage in Rotterdam, but are also free to choose a more limited production facility. Video recordings must not contain augmented or virtual reality, overlays, confetti, drone shots, water, color use or green screen.

How to ensure meritocracy and fairness in the contest?

In addition to the above, the EBU also announced a series of safety valves, which will ensure that the 41 live video tapes will have been made under the same conditions. Indicatively, we mention that those present in the video recording will be a representative of the Dutch public broadcaster, while the shooting will be watched by the executive supervisor of the contest, as well as a representative from an independent voting observer (E&Y). The duration of the shooting will be one hour and at this time the participants will be able to videotape up to three times their appearance. The selection of the shot will be made by the Head of Delegation and another authorized representative.

Our doubts about live on tape video

First of all, let’s say that even under normal conditions, not everyone competes on equal terms. What do we mean by that? We see in recent years on the eurovision stage, impressive appearances, with the help of the use of technology. Technology that not all broadcasters can use. Fro example Serbian public broadcaster cannot spend the money that Swedish public broadcaster spends. Albanian television cannot spend the money spent by Russian or Azerbaijani television and so on.

So, many times the countries participating in the contest can start from different points of view, but what mitigates the above a bit is that they share the same stage and it is ensured that everyone sings live. With the advancement of technology, and given that each country can use any studio it wants, even that is in question.

We read that Russia uses virtual reality in its appearance for Junior Eurovision 2020, where the contest will take place via live on tape video. An effect that other countries probably will not have at their disposal, for economic and technical reasons.

Of course for the live on tape videos of Eurovision 2021 the EBU has banned such special effects. However, LEDs are not prohibited and it is possible for different sized scenes, something that, as you understand, will differentiate the final result.

What we all hope is that everything you read remains on a theoretical level only. The situation with the pandemic to improve and to have a Eurovision as close to normal as possible, with the 41 artists performing their songs on the stage of the Ahoy Arena!

What is your opinion about the live on tape video? Are equal conditions guaranteed for all?

Eurovision 2021: Participants will record their songs “live-on-tape” to ensure Contest will happen!

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The EBU recently revealed how to ensure that Eurovision 2021 will happen, even in the worst case scenario with the course of the coronary pandemic.

Eurovision 2021 will take place in every way

After yesterday’s announcement that the distribution of countries in the two semifinals remains the same as that of Eurovision 2020, but also the presentation of the four possible scenarios for the conduct of Eurovision 2021, now another detail is given, concerning scenario D. In the new announcement of the EBU, concern the case in which in May the situation with the pandemic will be such that it will not allow air travel and reconnaissance, having a contest as Junior Eurovision 2020 will happen in a few days . With video appearances of the participants!

What is the process

All participating broadcasters were asked to record a live performance of their entries in their country. This recording will be delivered before the contest and will take place in a studio. The recording will take place in real time (as it would in the contest) without making changes to the vocals or any part of the show itself after the recording.

There will be freedom in the delegations, to present as they consider their participations better, but instructions will be given which will ensure the fairness and integrity of the competition. There will be no audience and the recording should be unique and not be published before the event in May.

Delegations are allowed to use similar technical capabilities and dimensions that would be available on stage in Rotterdam, but are also free to choose a more limited production facility. Video recordings must not contain augmented or virtual reality, overlays, confetti, drone shots, water, color use or green screen.

How will it be fair?

Normally in the Eurovision Song Contest all the artists would appear on the same stage under the same conditions giving everyone the same opportunity to shine. For the live recordings, the Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest approved additional measures to guarantee the fairness of the contest.

Prior to the recording, each participating broadcaster will meet with a representative from Host Broadcasters and submit a recording session schedule, studio setup and camera schedule.

The Head of Delegation will be on site during the registration period of 60 minutes and up to three authorized expirations, either alone or with an appropriate mandate, to make the final decision on the selection of the final receipt (from three).

A live link will be created during the recording to allow the Eurovision Executive Supervisor and a representative from an independent voting observer (E&Y) and Host Broadcaster to monitor the recording, provide assistance and support, and ensure the integrity and fairness of the contest.

No videos of the appearances from the national finals can be submitted, but each country can record on the same stage. The “live-on-tape” recordings must be delivered by the end of March.

Of course, as we mentioned at the beginning of the article, all of the above will apply in the case of contestants who will not be able to attend Rotterdam in May. The 65th Eurovision Song Contest will take place anyway!

Source: Eurovision.tv

Eurovision 2021: Allocation draw in semi-finals remains the same as in 2020!

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A little while ago through the official social networks of the contest, it was announced that the draw of the semi-finals of this year’s contest will also apply to Eurovision 2021. Read more

Eurovision 2021: 41 countries to participate!!

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A few moments ago, the EBU revealed the list of the participating countries at the upcoming contest of Eurovision 2021, on 18th, 20th and 22nd of May in Rotterdam the Netherlands. Actually they are the same 41 nations that were about to take part in the 2020 contest that was canceled due to the COVID19 pandemic.

EBU and the Dutch host broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have already revealed the 4 scenarios which their are focused on, and they abide by the restrictions and the facts of the pandemic and according to which the Eurovision 2021 will take place. The scenario, which will be chosen, will be announced in due time.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:

“We are grateful for the commitment of the 41 participating broadcasters in helping us bring the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2021.”

“We have the exact same line up of countries that would have competed in 2020 and we are thrilled that they will all return next year. Together with our host broadcasters we are continuing to develop the 4 different scenarios and maintaining a dialogue with all participants. The team from NPO, NOS and AVROTROS are working hard on ensuring the Eurovision Song Contest will provide the excitement and innovation expected by over 180 million viewers, despite the challenging circumstances.”

 

Of the 41 nations taking part, 35 will compete in two Semi-Finals with 10 successful acts from each Semi-Final joining the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom) and hosts the Netherlands in the Grand Final.

Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, said:

“It is fantastic that the same 41 countries that would have taken part this year still want to come to the Netherlands in May 2021. This demonstrates their confidence in our country still being able to organize a successful Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam next year, after the cancellation of the 2020 edition.”

“We have set the bar high to create 3 amazing live shows for an audience of 180 million people, even in these challenging times. To achieve this, we are working on an extensive protocol that guarantees the health of employees, participants, the press and visitors as much as possible.”

 

Participating broadcasters
The following countries (and EBU Member broadcasters) will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam:

Albania (RTSH)

Armenia (AMPTV)

Australia (SBS)*

Austria (ORF)

Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)

Belarus (BTRC)

Belgium (VRT)

Bulgaria (BNT)

Croatia (HRT)

Cyprus (CyBC)

Czech Republic (CT)

Denmark (DR)

Estonia (ERR)

Finland (YLE)

France (FT)

Germany (ARD/NDR)

Georgia (GPB)

Greece (ERT)

Iceland (RUV)

Ireland (RTE)

Israel (KAN)

Italy (RAI)

Latvia (LTV)

Lithuania (LRT)

Malta (PBS)

Moldova (TRM)

The Netherlands (AVROTROS)

North Macedonia (MKRTV)

Norway (NRK)

Poland (TVP)

Portugal (RTP)

Romania (TVR)

Russia (Channel One)

San Marino (RTV)

Serbia (RTS)

Slovenia (RTVSLO)

Spain (TVE)

Sweden (SVT)

Switzerland (SRG SSR)

Ukraine (UA:PBC)

United Kingdom (BBC)

*EBU Associate

 

It is worth to be mentioned this is the first time since 1990 that we have the same amount of participating countries in two consecutive years.

Source: Eurovision.tv

Greece: More details about Stefania’s candidate songs

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In an interview given by our representative in Eurovision 2021 Stefania Lymberakakis on the tv show “Eftycheite” on OPEN BEYOND Channel, which was aired today, we were provided with some further information regarding her candidate songs for the contest.

Regarding their style, she clarified that they bear no resemblance to SUPERGIRL but are closer to the style of her last single “Friday”. Αfter a communication we had with the team of creators, we were told that Stefania replied that the songs are like Friday and not like Supergirl, since they have no ethnic elements and are pop songs. None of the songs sounds like Friday. Stefania also added that there is no ballad among them.

Apart from the songs, she mentioned her collaboration with Sakis Rouvas and her communication with Konstantinos Argyros, but also was asked about the possibility her boyfriend, who is also an artist, to accompany her on the Eurovision stage. She gave a negative answer.

You can watch the entire interview by clicking here.