Cyprus: Alexia |”I have rejected many proposals for Eurovision but I am thinking about it for next year”!

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Alexia gave a shocking interview to Alpha Cyprus and specifically to the journalist Costas Karnakis. The great voice of Cyprus opens her house to Alpha’s camera and refers with pain and bitterness to the new challenge of Turkey to open the enclosed city of Famagusta and more specifically the beach of Varosia. However, Alexia also refers to the Eurovision Song Contest, throwing a literal bomb at any developments, since as she characteristically states, while for so many years she was not interested in the contest despite the proposals she accepted, for next year’s contest she is seriously considering the possibility of a new participation in it!

The great artist from Famagusta, with her unsurpassed collaborations and sales, talks for the first time about the new illegal action of Turkey, to open the enclosed city of Famagusta, the ghost town as everyone calls it, which for 46 years has been waiting for its legal inhabitants to return to their homes.

But apart from her personal experiences from the Turkish invasion of 1974, Alexia also refers to the Eurovision Song Contest. After first expressing her opinion, preferring local artists as representatives of the countries, she states that despite the fact that all previous years she rejected the proposals she accepted in order to return to the contest, this year she is thinking about it!

Every country should give a step through Eurovision to talented local musicians… Many times I was offered Eurovision but I stubbornly refused. But now to tell you the truth I’m thinking about it for this year!

Alexia for the Eurovision Song Contest.

In 1981, in the first participation of Cyprus in Eurovision, 17-year-old Alexia, together with the band Island, bring the sixth place for Cyprus, with the song Monica.

In 1987, as a soloist, Alexia represents Cyprus with the song Aspro Mavro, occupying the seventh place! The song is becoming a huge success in Greece and Cyprus, while it exceeds 250,000 sales in Scandinavia! Following is her first solo album in Greece, with composer Costas Charitodiplomenos and her long record career begins.

A return of the great Alexia to the Contest, with an appearance like the one made by Patricia Kaas in 2009 for France, would literally mean an artistic earthquake, which would transcend the narrow borders of Greece and Cyprus. We wish her interest to be real and why not see her again on the Eurovision stage!

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the news regarding to our favorite music contest!

Laka: “The problem of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Eurovision is also the religion of our representative”!

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Laka is one of the most popular and successful songwriters in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2008 with his sister represented the country in Belgrade with the song Pokušaj, taking tenth place.

It is known that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s public broadcaster is facing significant financial problems, hence its abstention from the contest.

In a recent interview, Laka believes that financial resources can be found if the country’s broadcaster decides to return to the contest. But then the problem will be the choice of the artist and the religion / ethnicity to which he belongs. Laka, however, speaks with nostalgia about his previous participation and declares his presence in a possible comeback.

Once the state is interested in being promoted in Europe, money will be found for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it will still be difficult to choose who will represent the country, a Serb, a Croat, a Bosnian, a Christian or a Muslim. It was great for us at the Eurovision Song Contest, so I would love to participate in this event again.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, which in the 1990s was the focus of fierce fighting between Serbs on the one hand and Bosniaks and Croats on the other, is now a single state entity, with two federal republics and another autonomous region.

About 55% of the country belongs to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the remaining 45% belongs to the Republika Srpska. There is even the small autonomous region of Brcko. In each of these federal districts, another ethnic group predominates. Demographically, about 50% of the population identifies as Bosniaks, 35% as Serbs, 10% as Croats, and the remaining 5% belong to other ethnicities.

The above puzzle, of course, from time to time created problems in the selection of the representative, since artists from the two most important components of the country (Bosniaks and Serbs) had to be selected.

Thus while e.g. in 2008 the country was represented by Laka, who is Bosnian, last year Marija Sestic, who is of Serbian origin, was chosen.

Laka addresses this problem with his above statement. However, we wish Bosnia and Herzegovina to return to the Eurovision Song Contest soon and give us other entries, such as Pokušaj, which you can enjoy below:

Source: avaz.ba

Greece: The recording of the candidate songs has been completed | Stefania’s favourite song

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The recording of the 5 candidate song for the Eurovision 2021 has been completed. Since yesterday, Stefania is being interviewed by the local media and on Sunday she is about to return to the Netherlands. The whole Dream Team (Dimitris Kontopoulos, ARCADE, Ilias Kokotos) is very satisfied with the result and according to our insights, both Stefania and the rest of the contributors have a preference towards a song which they believe it will stand out in the forthcoming Eurovision 2021.

All major tv channels interviewed Stefania, who at the moment cannot reveal any detail regarding the progress of her preparation.

What we can reveal to you though is that both Stefania and the artistic team behind her 5 candidate entries consider one of them as being superior to the other four. 

Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with further information, but what is known is that the Dream Team never carries out the same concepts, which means that we should expect a totally different song to SUPERG!RL.

On the coming days the production of the  5 demos will take place, so the songs will be better shaped as far as their type and orchestration are concerned.

Of course, the final decision regarding the selection process and the song that will represent us (Greece) at the Eurovision 2021 will be taken by ERT, and after the consultation with Stefania’s team.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for the latest news and developments regarding the Greek entry at the Eurovision 2021.

Kalomira: “If I go to Eurovision again, I would like to have such a song…”!

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Kalomira gave an interview to OK magazine and to the journalist Giannis Poulopoulos. Shortly after returning from the Caribbean, where she celebrated 10 years of marriage with her husband, Kalomira clarifies in the interview if she has really discussed the possibility of Eurovision 2021 with RIK, she describes the song with which she would like to participate again in the contest, while revealing whether she has already heard a candidate song.

One of the people rumored to represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2021 is Kalomira. Kalomira who is still popular in Greece and Cyprus, admitted some weeks ago in an interview on a Belgian website, that for the first time she is seriously considering returning to the contest, having already had some discussions with RIK.

For the first time since that interview, Kalomira opens her papers more and gives some more important details.

Initially, she admits once again that has discussed with RIK the possibility of representing Cyprus in Eurovision 2021 and describes the song with which she would like to do it:

If I were to go to Eurovision again, I would like to have a strong dance track that would allow me to dance and have fun on stage.

Kalomira is then asked, if she has had heard any songs for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest:

No. So far I have not heard any song.

Finally, the journalist asks her if she is concerned about the fact that Eurovision 2021 can be held without an audience and with completely new data, different from what we are used to, due to the pandemic.

I love Eurovision very much and I believe that by May 2021 there is room to prepare better than in 2020. I am sure that Eurovision 2021 will be a success.

We remind you that according to what is reported in the Cypriot media, Kalomira is the favorite at the moment to represent the island in Eurovision 2021, without of course excluding the cases of Katerina Stikoudi, Irini Papadopoulou, Elias Koza or some other surprise name!

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the news concerning the Cypriot entry in Eurovision 2021!

Source: OK

Poland: The National Broadcaster wants Alicja Szemplińska for 2021

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The public broadcaster of Poland, yesterday during the press conference for the Junior Eurovision 2020, confirmed the participation of the country at the Eurovision 2021, expressing at the same time their intention to be represented by Alicja Szemplińska.

The official confirmation of Alicja will occur at a later stage, after the necessary arrangements with her record company. When this happen, Poland will be the 21st country that chooses the same artist from the canceled 2020 contest.

At the press conference, during which the three presenters of the 2020 Junior Eurovision were presented, the head of the national broadcaster Jacek Kurski praised the employees of TVP for their effort to organise a contest completely different from those who have been held until today. In fact, to the unpleasant surprise of all of us, Jacek Kurski predicted that Eurovision 2021 will be held in the same way, that is, in favor of Plan D. Τhe artists will appear from their countries and not live from Rotterdam. However, the executive supervisor of the competition, Martin Österdahl, who was online, did not comment on this.

Source: dziennik-eurowizyjny

NDR confirmed that Iveta Mukuchyan was among the candidates, but she wasn’t rejected because of Nagorno Karabah

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The announcement of Iveta Mukuchyan, the representative of Armenia in 2016, that she was among the bidding candidates for the German representation, but eventually she was rejected, caused great sensation. NDR spoke to esc-kompakt and confirmed that Iveta was among the artists the panel of 100 experts had chosen. Of course, the reason given by the German public television for the “cut” of Iveta, is that its inclusion in the list of candidates was inadvertent, since they do not want artists who have participated again in the competition with other countries. This contradicts what Iveta claims, since according to her, the reason for its exclusion was its action to raise the flag of the Republic of Artsakh( formerly known as the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh) in the semifinals of Eurovision 2016.

Just yesterday, Iveta Mukuchyan, who successfully represented Armenia at Eurovision 2016 with LoveWave and ended up in seventh place, revealed through her social networks that while she was one of the candidates to represent Germany at Eurovision 2021, NDR finally informed her that it is not possible, as they do not want an artist who has participated in the competition again.

Iveta went even further, saying that she considered this a pretext, as the real reason is her act of raising the flag of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) at Eurovision 2016 and the reactions that would have taken place in Germany from the large Muslim community living there.

Talking to esc-kompakt about the issue, NDR confirmed that Iveta Mukuchyan was one of the artists who chose the 100-member panel of experts to represent Germany at Eurovision 2021, but insisted on what Iveta herself says on her post.

For the selection process, digame and the NDR have agreed that Germany should not be represented at the ESC by artists who have already participated in the international competition for another country. Iveta Mukuchyan was mistakenly included in the first selection for 2021 and contacted by digame. With the sole reason that she had already participated in the ESC for Armenia, she was then canceled by digame for the further course of the selection. There was no other reason or a separate agreement with the NDR. Political statements didn’t matter.

What is certain is that we will not see Iveta in the next competition, at least for Germany. But let us once again enjoy LoveWave and its stunning performance at the Globen Arena in Stockholm:

Source: esc-kompakt

 

 

Sweden: New format for Melodifestivalen from 2022?

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In an exclusive interview given by the executive producer of Melodifestivalen, Anette Helenius, to the daily newspaper, Dagens Nyheter, she refers to the decision of the Swedish public broadcaster to hold Melodifestivalen 2021 without an audience and with all its shows in Stockholm, but also with their intention to change the format of the contest, from 2022!

In Stockholm and without audience Melodifestivalen 2021

Anette Helenius reports that the decision not to hold the regular Melodifestivalen tour in various cities in the country was taken a few weeks ago, taking into account the epidemiological situation in Sweden and in cooperation with the competent authorities. All the necessary measures will be taken, while the artists and those who still participate in Melodifestivalen 2021, will undergo a rapid test upon entering the venue where the contest will take place.

Although it was initially put on the table to choose a city other than Stockholm, it was decided that it would be safer but also more functional to choose the capital, since most people live there and thus avoid extra travel.

The absence of the audience is clearly important, but it will enable SVT to make some choices, which with the presence of the public would be impossible. The presenters have not yet been selected, but may be different each week, wanting to give a separate identity to each of the six nights of the show.

New format from 2022

Melodifestivalen has been running steadily since 1959, when Sweden had to choose its second entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1958, in Sweden’s maiden appearance at Eurovision, the internal selection option was used. In 1967 the name Melodifestivalen was introduced.

Since 2000, Melodifestivalen has been the most popular television program of the year, with more than 4 million viewers annually. It has more viewership, even from the Eurovision Song Contest itself.

Until 1998, the winner was chosen solely by the juries. In 1999, televoting was used for the first time. In 2002 the Melodifestivalen, which until then was one night, introduces the system of four semifinals and the second chance, a format that is still used today.

Annete Helenius gave important news in her interview. In particular, she said that in parallel with the changes that will take place this year in Melodifestivalen due to COVID-19, the production team is working on some other changes, which will be permanent and will be implemented from 2022.

This practically means that for the first time since 2002 we will have significant changes in the format of Melodifestivalen. No further explanations or details were given, so we look forward to it.

We remind you of the detailed program of Melodifestivalen 2021:

  • The 1st semifinal on February 6
  • The 2nd semifinal on February 13
  • The 3rd semifinal on February 20
  • The 4th semifinal on February 27
  • The second chance round on March 6
  • The final on March 13

As usual at the end of November we will have the announcement of the 28 contestants!

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all Melodifestivalen 2021 news!

Source: Dagens Nyheter

Iveta Mukuchyan: “I was invited to represent Germany in Eurovision 2021, but got rejected because I raised the flag of Nagorno Karabakh

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One of the events that stigmatised the Eurovision 2016 was the flag of the Republic of Artsakh ( formerly known as the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh), raised by the Armenian representative Iveta Mukuchyan, while in the green room during the 1st Semi Final. Through a post on her social media, Iveta reminded us the incident, and revealed that, due to this, she was rejected by the German national broadcaster for the representation of Germany in Eurovision 2021, despite the fact that she received invitation by the panel of 200 individuals who will choose the next German representative.

There were not a few those who believe that Iveta’s stance in the semi final cost her several points in the Grand Final, since she ended up in 7th place even though her entry, LoveWave, was one of the hot favourites to win the contest. In fact, the public broadcaster of Armenia was fined by the EBU for their representative’s action in Eurovision 2016.

 

Iveta, who lives in Germany, made a reference to the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan for the quarrelsome region of Nagorno Karabakh, citing that the war has nothing to do with these two peoples, since both Armenians and Azeris have a lot in common, but instead this was is triggered by Erdogan and Aliyev against Armenians and Armenia.

I know how unpleasant it is to read about a war that is happening far away from where you are right now.I knew how unpleasant it was for millions of viewers at the Eurovision back in 2016 to engage a few minutes into the discussion about why I put up the Kharabagh flag in a contest that doesn’t want to be involved in politics. What many people don’t know is that this year I got an excited call from Germany that 200 experts voted, without me knowing about it, to discuss me representing Germany at the Eurovision 2021. Everybody was excited, me as well. Then I got a call that the press-department said unfortunately they decided last minute that they couldn’t take me, explaining that I already participated and that wouldn’t make sense for Germany. I knew from the first second that this explanation was nonsense but the real reason could only be, that I put up the Kharabagh flag up and Germany does not appreciate political involvement in the Eurovision and would get a shitstorm if they would choose me representing them since there are many Muslims living in Germany. Which I completely understand. I want to make everyone understand that this is not a war between Azerbaijan/Turkey and Armenia but a war against Alliyev and Erdogan. When Artsakh shoots back they warn the population of Azerbaijan to evacuate, while Azerbaijan is targeting peaceful civilians, not even telling their own people to hide in bunkers. After they told me kindly that even though they would like me to participate they decided not to, I was mad at myself…regretting that my past act of patriotism would influence my career once again…

Source: Iveta Mukuchyan 

 

 

Dream Team: “No one needs this kind of cheap tricks” | EXCLUSIVE

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A non-existent rumour has been circulating lately in Greece and Cyprus, involving a member of the Dream Team and unfortunately could create misunderstandings. With a statement, which is exclusively hosted by Eurovision Fun, the Dream Team clarifies the situation and sends a clear message in all directions, that such logics do not concern them and of course they will not tolerate the spread of such lies.

Specifically, what reached the ears of Dream Team, hence its reaction, is that an artist who is rumored to represent Cyprus in the upcoming competition, in a recent communication with a member of Dream Team was discouraged by a possible participation in Eurovision 2021.

We have been involved in the Eurovision Song Contest for 15 years and everyone knows that not only are we not competitive but on the contrary we have helped, completely non-profit, both the Greek and the Cypriot delegation in many cases. To claim that we contacted artists and asked them not to participate in the contest, apart from being childish, is also cunning, as it tries to create the impression of some kind of fear on our part, in order to strengthen a candidacy. No one needs this kind of cheap tricks and it would be good not to use them, because as our people say: lying has short legs.

Dream Team

We also contacted the side of the said artist, where we received a similar response, since as characteristically told us, there has been no been a communication with a member of the Dream Team lately. On the contrary, in the last communication that took place with Dimitris Kontopoulos, for reasons unrelated to Eurovision, the latter was encouraging the possibility of Eurovision.

Stay tuned to Eurovision Fun for all the news related to our favorite contest!

Sweden: The dates of Melodifestivalen 2021

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After the announcement that Melodifestivalen will not go on tour in 2021 and will be held only in Stockholm given the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national broadcaster, SVT, revealed today the exact dates on which the shows of Melodifestivalen will take place and through which the new representative of Sweden will be determined.

The 1st Semi Final: 6th February

The 2nd Semi Final: 13th February

The 3rd Semi Final: 20th February

The 4th Semi Final: 27th February

The Second Chance show: 6th March

The Grand Final: 13th March

Source: Eurovoix