Natalia Gordienko confirmed earlier that she will be the Moldova’s representative at Eurovision 2021 and now we can share with you everything we know so far. The song that Natalia will perform in Rotterdam next year, will have nothing to do with the song with which she would compete in this year’s contest. Read more
EurovisionFun had the pleasure and the honor of hosting Go_A in an exclusive interview. Go_A is a Ukrainian electro-folk band and consists of Kateryna Pavlenko, Ihor Didenchuk, Taras Shevchenko και Ivan Hryhoriak. This year, after their victory in the national final Vidbir 2020, they were set to represent Ukraine in Eurovision with the song “Solovey“, while from very early, after the cancellation of the competition, it was announced that they will internally represent the country in 2021 in Rotterdam.
Info: The idea to form a band that will combine modern electronic music with ethnic motifs first came to Taras Shevchenko in 2011, but the first attempts to work with actual musicians were in 2012. At the end of that year, in December, the first song “Koliada” was released. The band’s name means “return to the roots” and was made by combining the English word “Go” with the Greek letter “Alpha“, which symbolizes the beginning of everything.
First of all, thank you for this interview. You won Vidbir 2020 and you would represent Ukraine in Eurovision 2020 with the song “Solovey”. How you felt after winnng your country’s national final this year?
Actually it was quite a surprise for us. We couldn’t believe that a band that had been staying in musical underground for 7 years without a manager or label support could win such contest. So our first impression was “Ok, what’s the catch?”. But then we felt a great responsibility, because we understood we were the first band in Eurovision history that would perform a song fully in Ukrainian. We find it very important. As one of our European fans said, not many people in Europe or the rest of the world know that Ukraine has its own language and culture – and we have a chance to show it.
How you felt after the heartbreaking announcement that this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled?
Taras: When Eurovision was cancelled everything happened so fast, there hadn’t any time for feelings. We were working in the studio when we received two messages on my phone. The first one – Eurovision was cancelled, the second one – UA:PBC (which is responsible for Eurovision in Ukraine) had decided that we would be the Ukraine’s entry for Eurovision 2021.
Could you tell us more about your team behind “Solovey”? Will be the same team for your next year’s entry?
The song was written by Taras & Kate so next year it will be the same way. As for the performance team – we are looking for professionals that will help us implement our ideas.
“Solovey” has a unique and traditional sound and it’s in Ukrainian language. What that, singing in your own language, means to you? Will you still use traditional sounds and Ukrainian in 2021?
Our aim is to show our cultural heritage to the whole world because we believe it should take its place in pop music the same way it has already happened with Indian, Arabian and Latin folk music. And of course it includes us singing in Ukrainian and using traditional Ukrainian sound techniques.
As I said before, your song was among the few traditional songs this year. Do you believe that in the future contests, the countries should prefer to use traditional sounds and their own language?
We think that depends on the artist. Every artist expresses his/her thoughts and emotions through the song’s lyrics. Some of them are great in writing songs in English, others prefer to do it in their own language. Our song Solovey wouldn’t sound like Solovey any more if it was translated in English but still there are a lot of great songs in English and I can’t imagine them being performed in a different language. Again, it’s all about the artist’s attitude.
In 2016, Jamala won Eurovision for Ukraine. How would you feel if you were the 3d act which will bring the contest in your country?
We would consider it to be a great honor and responsibility. But based on our experience of winning Ukraine’s national selection we understand it’s difficult to predict one’s feelings till the very moment.
The last years, Ukraine used to organize a national final. How did you feel when you noticed that you have internally selected for 2021?
We had very little time to feel anything. For us it was like “Ok, we need to write another song for the next year, so lets get started”.
As you already let us know, you will create five songs for your personal national final so people will choose the best one. Have you already some songs on hand? Have you started the preparation about that?
The idea first came up as a joke but then we realized it was a good way to show some respect to people who voted for us this year. We started to work in the studio right after Eurovision had been cancelled and so far we have several pieces of music. But you’d never know which song will be THE song or in our case – one of several songs. I mean, in the past we had situations when we did a song, put it on the shelf, then listened to it in several days and realized it wasn’t “us”, it didn’t feel like a Go_A song – so we just threw it away. Maybe we’ll treat our song we did for the last two months the same way. Maybe not. Time will tell.
This year, Greece would be represented by the 17 years old Stefania with the song “Supergirl”. Stefania also already confirmed for 2021. What do you think about her?
“SUPERG!RL” is incredibly powerful and yet very tender song, and so is Stefania herself. Can’t wait to hear her new song for Eurovision 2021.
*In closing, Go_A sent a message to EurovisionFun as well as to all Greeks who will be invited to vote for Ukraine at Eurovision 2021!*
We warmly thank Go_A for this interview and we wish them best of luck next year in Rotterdam!
Following the official cancellation of this year’s contest in Rotterdam, many countries are already in a hurry to give their anchor for 2021 early this year.
Ten countries have already made that decision, including this year’s organizer The Netherlands and Greece, so they want to give their artists the chance to finally be on the scene one year later.
Israel is on the list of those countries today. The country’s public broadcaster, KAN, announced recently that due to the spread of the killer virus in Europe, this year’s country’s representative , Eden Alene, will represent Israel at the competition next year.
“We will win. This time, the song will be even better”, as she stated herself.
Eden Alene was informed of the cancellation of the airing contest she was invited to and could not hold back her tears as you can see in the video below.
Lithuania’s Public Television (LRT), through its Deputy General Manager, Gytis Oganauskas, has announced that it will announce its intentions for Eurovision 2021 by 1st of April.
Already The Roop, one of the big favorites of this year’s competition with “On Fire”, had announced that they would like to compete in the next contest, not all of the artists selected this year and not finally competing, since Eurovision 2020 due to the crown. canceled. Indeed, their desire was to perform the same song. But the EBU, in its announcement yesterday, made it clear that this year’s songs cannot compete in 2021, as the September 1 regulation is also valid for the time being.
Lithuania’s public television is now called upon to decide whether The Roop will represent it in another song in 2021 or whether they will host their national final again.
Let’s enjoy “On Fire” once again, which would be Lithuania’s participation in this year’s competition:
https://youtu.be/1EAUxuuu1w8
Source: LRT
Ana Soklič was the winner of the UMA 2020 and would represent Slovenia at the Eurovision 2020, with the song “Voda”. Although the contest was canceled, Ana Soklič released the revamp of the song she performed in collaboration with the Budapest Artistic Orchestra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOdI-gFrYaQ
Slovenia has not yet clarified whether it will be represented in 2021 by the same artist or if it will perform again.
Rumors of the previous days have finally been confirmed. Bulgaria will be represented by Victoria Georgieva at Eurovision 2021! In a series of tweets on Twitter, the Bulgarian delegation has referred extensively to the issue of the cancellation of this year’s contest, the potential financial difficulties that may arise from this crisis and its forthcoming representation at Eurovision!
In particular, some of the tweets mentioned features:
“As one of the countries that have implemented the strongest measures against the spread of 2019-nCOV, we fully understand the reasons for the decision to cancel the Eurovision Song Contest. In a situation like this health should be the top priority.
We would like to thank the contest team for their passion and professionalism. We sincerely hope that everyone will have the opportunity to see the result of their hard work next year.
Unfortunately, this situation will put additional pressure on many public service broadcasters and their partners, especially in Eastern Europe. To date, these consequences cannot be properly assessed.
In any event, it is necessary to devise a strategy for the commercialization of competition in the light of a possible economic crisis in the world and the impact it would have on the budgets of the various stakeholders.
Prior to its cancellation, Eurovision was an excellent tool for promoting international cooperation. Of course always through music and art. We believe that this will continue to be the case in the future.
In 2020 Bulgaria returned after a year’s absence for economic reasons. We would like to thank all our sponsors who helped us in this regard. And of course a huge thank you to Victoria, Symphonix and Marvin Dietmann!
Bulgaria’s return to Eurovision was not intended to be a one-time effort. We believe that this competition is extremely beneficial to Bulgarian artists and the local television industry not only by providing us with a great exposure but also opportunities to expand our knowledge.
Having analyzed all the circumstances and with the belief that now Eurovision needs the unconditional support of all its members and the community, we would like to announce that Bulgaria will participate in Eurovision 2021!”
And the announcement goes on, stating:
“Once again our representative will be Victoria! As she has already stated, and despite the decision made yesterday, we believe that the right move is to give artists and participating broadcasters the right to decide how to proceed according to their particular circumstances”
The reaction of Bulgaria’s 22-year-old representative via social media was immediate:
“I am very proud to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision 2021! I am grateful for the Bulgarian delegation that gives me the opportunity for the second time.
I would also like to congratulate Blas, Efendi, Gjon, Jeangu, Stefania, Hooverphonic, Go_A and Tornike who are also going to represent their countries at Eurovision 2021! I also hope that the other 2020 artists will be selected by their respective broadcasters to represent their country and time.
The decision not to perform this year’s songs makes me very sad! “Tears Getting Sober” is the 1st project in which they have been so actively involved. Many people have invested countless hours”
https://twitter.com/victoriageorge_/status/1241266088463269888
So, Bulgaria is yet another country to be represented by the same artist at Eurovision 2021!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_hgYnwZR8I&feature=emb_title
Using the social media, shortly before the Swiss representative at Eurovision 2020, Gjon Muharremaj announced that he is going to represent his country at next year’s contest.
As the 21-year-old mentioned in his Instagram post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B996cJhjcH_/
Switzerland thus becomes the 9th country to participate in Eurovision 2021 with the same artist who will also be in Rotterdam in May!
https://youtu.be/O9GAfFHZE-E
In a statement on social media, EBU clarified some of those suspended after the contest was canceled. EBU’s intention is to honor the songs and artists of Eurovision 2020!
In particular, the statement mentions:
Following the cancellation of #Eurovision 2020 we’d like to share some news with you from @EBU_HQ. pic.twitter.com/LVxLKYR6lg
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) March 20, 2020
Thus, it is clear that the choice of its representative for 2021 is left to each country’s delegation . It was also clarified whether they would compete for the same songs this year.
We look forward to the latest from EBU regarding this initiative in the coming weeks!
Hooverphonic will take part in Eurovision 2021 Song Contest for Belgium! VRT, RTBF and the band agreed to this. Recall that the contest would normally take place in May, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 virus crisis. However, the band will have to look for a new song.
The news that the Eurovision Song Contest will be postponed for a year has emerged on Wednesday. The 65th edition of the contest was scheduled to take place in Rotterdam from 12 to 16 May 2020, but was canceled due to the risk of transmission of the virus. The intention is that Rotterdam will remain the venue for next year, but that is not certain yet.
The VRT and RTBF, which alternately select the candidate, agreed that Hooverphonic will have the opportunity to represent Belgium and 2021, with a new song as requested by all participating countries.
Olivier Goris, Een’s CEO says:
“The cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest was a blow to everyone, but also an understandable and right decision. It highlights the great and difficult times we are experiencing and we are very grateful to our colleagues at RTBF for their willingness to maintain VRT involvement in 2021”
While the band on its part stated:
“It’s nice to have such a quick confirmation that we can go to Eurovision next year. We are still looking forward to doing so. We will now take the time to see how we can prepare for May next year.”
Hooverphonic for 2020, with “Release Me”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAqjksxc4iA
In recent days, the entire planet has remained in quarantine due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as both outbreaks and deaths are increasing steadily.
Following the example of many inhabitants around the globe, Lithuanians in the country’s capital, Vilnius, came out to their balconies applauding the doctors fighting against this deadly virus.
An Lithuanian resident in Vilnius rushed by the Italians who tried to recover some courage because of the pandemic that has ravaged the planet, singing “Fai Rumore”, this year’s Italian participation in Eurovision, did the same with their country’s entry .
Resident Simonas Indrašius said of his initiative:
“I thought, why not try to entertain the nation a little? I have seen similar actions on the planet where people applaud doctors around the world from their balconies”
He even relayed the move via live streaming on Facebook:
Taip, gera turėti tokius kaimynus!!!Ačiū, Simonas Indrašius!
Posted by Odeta Dubraitė on Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Source:LRT
