Posts

Bulgaria: Victoria Georgieva in Rotterdam

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Bulgaria’s Public Broadcaster,BNT, has announced that 22-year-old Victoria Georgieva will represent the country in its comeback in the contest!

Recall that as BNT General Manager Emil Kuslokov revealed at the end of last month, Bulgaria’s return to Eurovision was made possible by a British production company, which was responsible for all the costs of participation. As revealed in today’s BNT press conference, this company is Ostereo.

In addition to the sponsor announcement, however, the BNT also unveiled Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2020 representative in Rotterdam in May. This is Victoria Georgieva, 22 years old who became known to the Bulgarian public through her participation in the fourth edition of X Factor, 2015.

Although the judges over the past three years mostly didn’t go to Victoria in the Lives, 2015 was her year. She was named Adele of Bulgaria and although she was not the final winner, having left 9th Live, her performances were perhaps more impressive than all the contestants.

The song, with which will compete on stage at Ahoy Arena, will be selected as an internal selection by Bulgarian Public Television, the sponsored production company and the artist’s team. It will be announced in March with the release of the relevant video clip. At this point it should be noted, however, that in the summer she was recording in the studio with Borislav Milanov, who was the composer of all of Bulgaria’s performances from 2016 onwards.

Below you can hear her latest single, released a few months ago:

Georgia: Results of Georgian Idol’s Second Live Show | New leader in voting

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The second live show of Georgian Idol, the talent show used by Georgia’s public broadcaster for the second consecutive year to elect the country’s representative to Eurovision 2020 was completed on Saturday.

The nine contestants who continue on Georgian Idol after last week’s first Live, performed live for a second time in front of a television audience voting for the candidate of their choice via telephone and facebook messenger.

The two contestants who received the lowest percentage of the vote were Anri Guchmanidze and Liza Shengelia, with the second withdrawing from the race. Tornike Kipiani came in first with 19.13%, overtaking Tamar Kakalashvili, who was first in the previous live, but now with 15.71%.

At the second Georgian Idol Live Show, candidates were asked to perform well-known soundtracks. Below you can see their performances:

Tornike Kipiani – 19,13%

Tamar Kakalashvili – 15,71%

Barbara Samkharadze – 12,11%

David Rusadze – 10,23%

Mariam Shengelia – 8,72%

Mariam Gogiberidze – 8,69%

Nika Kalandadze – 8,68%

Anri Guchmanidze – 8,64%

Liza Shengelia – 8,09%

Unlike this year when Georgian Idol selected both the artist and the song that represented Georgia at the Eurovision Contest, for 2020 only the artist will be selected through the popular talent show, since the song will be followed by internal selection.

We remind you that the four jury members who oversaw the three-episode phase of the auditions and will guide the ten finalists in their lives are:

-Natia Todua, a singer who has made a significant career in Germany after her win at The Voice of Germany in 2016.
-Tinatin Berdzenishvili, GPB’s Deputy General Manager and Head of Delegation of Georgia to the Eurovision Contest.
-David Evgenidze, composer. He was the head of the jury for the country’s participation in Junior Eurovision 2019. He will oversee the selection of the song for Eurovision 2020.
-David Aladashvili, pianist.
This year, Oto Nemsadze won the Georgian Idol and with “Keep on Going” represented Georgia in Tel Aviv, taking 14th place in the first semifinal. As he said, shortly after the end of the contest, his song had a political message and was directed against Russia and its politics in his country.

Eurovision 2020: Jon Ola Sand: “There is no discussion of bringing Kazakhstan back”

/0 Comments/in , /by

In the city of Glivice, Poland, the Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor  Jon Ola Sand has been out for a few days for the Junior Eurovision 2019.

In a press conference he gave to reporters, questions about regular Eurovision were of course too. One of the questions raised was Kazakhstan’s participation in Junior Eurovision and whether it opens the door to participation in adult Eurovision as well.

“There is no talk of bringing Kazakhstan to Eurovision”

Once again, Jon Ola Sand makes it clear that we will not see Kazakhstan in the contest – at least in 2020 – and that they are in ongoing dialogue between the EBU and the Kazakhstani public brοadcaster on membership and other events.

“First of all, we are very happy that Kazakhstan’s delegation is here and they did well last year. They have a great turnout this year and they generally prepare thoroughly and send out their best members basically, so we are very happy.

For the time being, there is no talk of bringing them to the Eurovision competition but we are in constant dialogue with the player at various levels – not only about our events but also about membership, and the services we offer.

They have visited the EBU offices several times, not just me but other departments and people of the EBU, and we want to continue the good dialogue with the Kazakh carrier because they add value, for example, to the competition – by Junior Eurovision – and we are very happy for this”

After all, in September, Jon Ola Sand himself had again stressed that there were no plans to invite the country to the 2020 competition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Of course, the fact that the upcoming Eurovision competition will also be the last for Jon Ola Sand as Executive Supervisor may have a different approach to the issue from his successor.

Hungary: No Comment on Eurovision Withdrawal by the government

/0 Comments/in , , /by

As we told you in our previous article, Hungary will not participate in Eurovision 2020. The A Dal regulations, used since 2012 as Hungary’s national final for Eurovision, did not mention the Eurovision contest, and part of the the regulations were in breach of EBU regulations, which meant that the A Dal 2020 would have nothing to do with the country’s participation in Eurovision. Finally, it was not on the official list of the EBU, with the countries to take part in Rotterdam.

This news has displeased many fans with the demand to learn from MTV, the reasons for its withdrawal from the Music Competition, but Hungary has yet to give an answer.

According to a Hungarian newspaper, Magyar Hang, LMP Green Party MP Péter Ungár has asked the government the reasons of Hungary’s non-participation in this year’s Eurovision.

Foreign Minister Bence Rétvári declined to answer the question, stating:

“No member of the government has the power to review or control the decisions of the public broadcaster – and therefore the production decision referred to in the question”

Magyar Hang notes that the public broadcaster is working hard to achieve Hungarian participation in Eurovision every year. It even assumes that Hungary’s exclusion at Eurovision 2019 is based on that decision.

This is the fourth time Hungary has withdrawn from the Eurovision contest. The first time was in 1999, for six years. It returned in 2005, abstained in 2006 in Athens and returned the following year. Its last absence was in 2010, when for financial reasons the country preferred to stay away.

The best place in the history of the competition is the 4th, when in 1994, it was represented by Friderika Bayer and the song “Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet?”.

Source: wiwibloggs

Albania: Eleni Foureira invited to Festivali i Kenges 58

/1 Comment/in , , /by

According to Albanian site News31.al, Eleni Foureira will be on stage at Festivali i Kenges 58 for an explosive appearance next December.

Festivali i Kenges 58 is Albania’s national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Specifically, the two semifinals will take place on December 19 and 20, while the Grand Final, where we will learn Albania’s 17th representative at Eurovision Song Contest, will take place on December 22.

However, it is not yet clear which of the three nights Eleni Foureira will be performing on the Festivali i Kenges 58 stage.

Recall that the 20 candidates for the Festivali i Kenges who will claim the Rotterdam ticket are:

1. Albrei Hadergjonaj
2. Aldo White
3. Arilena Ara
4. Bojken Lako
5. Devis Xherah
6. Eli Fara & Stress
7. Elvana Gjata
8. The Era of Russia
9. Gena
10. Genc Tukiqi
11. Kanita Suma
12. Kamela Islamaj
13. Castro Zizo
14. Olta Boka
15. Renis Gjoka
16. Robert Berisha
17. Sara Bajraktari
18. Tiri Gjoci
19. Valon Shehu
20. Wendi Mancaku

Source: News31.al

Eurovision 2020: Greek choreographer – director for Switzerland and San Marino at Eurovision 2020?

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

According to what is written on a greek media website, Zappit, Greek choreographer Nikos Marianos has accepted a proposal to direct the participation of Switzerland and San Marino in the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in May in Rotterdam!

He has recorded his own unique path, both at the Eurovision Festival, as well as in music and theater, being one of the most successful choreographers and directors of recent years. Nikos Marianos, who is known for versatile and creative talent, having choreographed from demanding  musical such as “Evita”, “Hair” and “Grease”, up to high standard’s Mad Show, accepts another suggestion – a challenge that opens the European music scene to him.

Two countries are claiming the acclaimed Greek, seeking exclusive co-operation for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Rotterdam in May 2020. Competition officials in Switzerland but also in San Marino have already contacted Nikos in order to take over  the choreographic performance of the songs that will be selected to represent these two countries in this year’s contest.

San Marino managed last year under his direction the best result  in Tel Aviv, while Nikos already has successful entries in both Greece and Malta. Remember, the director and choreographer has appeared on the Eurovision stage as a dancer in 2005 with Elena Paparizou on Eurovision’s 50-year show, but also in 2009 with Sakis Rouvas and “This is our night”.

Nikos Marianos has not yet given a definitive answer to the officials of the two countries. The NMDF Convention, which holds its fourth year in March 2020 and hosts the 19 most important choreographers around the world is in his high priority this period. However, it is certain that for another year Eurovision will be of particular interest to the Greeks.

Source: zappit

Cyprus: This is Sandro Nicolas! (VIDEO)

/2 Comments/in , , /by

Since Wednesday night when we revealed, through EurovisionFun that Sandro Nicolas will represent Cyprus at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, the news toured Europe, as all the websites involved in the competition hosted extensive articles.

As mentioned in the Omega TV show “Ela na deis”  (“Come to see”) and Alexander Taramount, there are three songs that the artist and Rick have ended up with. We already know the titles:

–Mucho Calor (dance track)
–Can’t Look Away (mid tempo)
–Never Let You Down (pop modern track)

Whatever the final choice of RIK will be, we are sure that talented Sandro Nicolas will take the island of Aphrodite to the contest in 2020, continuing the good tradition that Cypriot public broadcaster has built in recent years.

Below you can see a promo video of Sandro Nicolas in various live performances:

 

Latvia: Record of entries for Supernova 2020

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Last Wednesday, the entries deadline for the Latvian National Final,Supernova 2020 had been expired, and Latvia’s public broadcaster LTV has revealed that it has received 126 entries. This is the highest number of entries ever made in Supernova’s history. This is a sharp increase, especially if you consider that last year 83 just expressed interest to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The LTV channel shared some information about the songs submitted, including the fact that more than half of the applications were filed on the last day. Supernova producer Ilze Jansone revealed that many artists have submitted two songs. He also noted that they have seen more variety this year, with many young artists and more songs in the Latvian language. LTV has received entries covering a variety of music genres, including traditional pop, schlager and metal music.

The broadcaster will now review all applications to ensure that the listings comply with Supernova 2020 rules. The 2020 rules allow foreign participants to be producers or members of a band. However, the singer of the song must be Latvian.

Supernova’s grand final has been confirmed for February 8, 2020, but the Latvian public channel has not revealed whether the process of choosing its next representative  to Rotterdam will also include semifinals. Just last month, Jansone said: “At the moment we cannot yet officially reveal how the finalists will be selected, but we know that the final of the competition will be broadcast live on February 8th”.

LTV has been running Supernova for the last five years, with a generally moderate appearance in the Contest. Aminata’s 2015 presence in Vienna (1st edition of Supernova) stands out, with the Baltic country taking 6th place, achieving its best place in the current decade. In 2019, in Tel Aviv, Latvia, was represented by Carousel with the song “That night”. For another year, however, Latvia failed to qualify for the final after finishing 15th with 50 points in the semifinal.

Source: wiwibloggs.com

Cyprus: Candidate Songs Titles| The proposal to Ivi and Ian’s nomination

/2 Comments/in , , /by

Following the announcement of essentially Cypriot representative at Eurovision 2020, Sandro Nicolas, via the exclusive EurovisionFun reportage last night, more information came to light shortly before through  the Omega TV show “Come To See”, which hosted extensive report, reffering,of course, to our website.

Three songs for Sandro Nicolas

According to what Alexander Taramountas revealed on the first inviting rates  Cypriot television show “Come To See”, RIK has ended up with three of the more than 100 songs it received for Eurovision 2020. In the following days, it will choose what Sandro Nicolas will perform on stage at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in May. The show reported that the CyBC Board has already approved the representation of Sandro Nicolas at Eurovision 2020.

The titles of the three songs are as follows:

–Mucho Calor (dance track)
-Can’t Look Away (mid tempo)
-Never Let You Down (pop modern track)

All the songs based on what was said in the show are high standarts and can properly represent Cyprus in the contest. The two have been written by foreign artists, with one signed by a Greek composer. What is even more interesting is that Alexander Taramountas revealed that his favorite is Mucho Calor!

How was the proposal made to RIK?

The reportage of the show said that the proposal of RIK to Sandro Nicolas came from Elias Kokottos’s  Dream Team,the well-known project manager!

The broadcast panel was very positive about Sandro Nicolas’ selection, saying it was a very clever move by RIK for the next contest. Panik and Minos EMI are already in the process of taking over Sandro, and what has even been said is that, despite the fact that Michalis Marathyoutis has resigned, he will be the one to handle the Cypriot participation in Eurovision 2020.

Ivi’s “no” and Ian’s nomination

The sensation was triggered by the revelation that RIK had been thinking of Ivy Adamou representing Cyprus for the second time at Eurovision (she has already participated with “La La love” in 2012), but she politely declined for family and personal reasons. She gave a birth recently and did not have the time needed for such a project.

Our report was also confirmed when we wrote a few months ago that two men and one woman were targeted by RIK on Eurovision 2020. Except for Ivy and of course Sandro Nicolas, Ian Stratis was the third name. But RIK, based on the songs it had in mind, came to Sandro believing that he would better support whichever of the third songs eventually be chosen.

Andorra: Government wants the country to return to Eurovision

/0 Comments/in , /by

Good news from Andorra, which this year marks 10 years of absence from the contest. Elnacional hosts statements by representatives of the tri-partite government of the state, expressing a desire to bring their country back to Eurovision.

Financial reasons, as well as the fact that its six entries failed to qualify for the Final, were the reasons that led Andorra’s public broadcaster to quit Eurovision 2010 and never come back since then. A spokesman for the ruling party, Blau told elnacional:

“Andorra’s public television will return to the Eurovision Song Contest after re-evaluating its costs”

Also, another representative of the Democratic Party, also one of the three ruling parties, went further, saying:

“Eurovision is a great television show that will allow us to put our country on the map”

It is not clear whether Andorra will return in 2020 (something very difficult after the list of countries already announced) or next year.

The only time Andorra came close to qualifying was in 2007 when Anonymous with “Salvem El Món” finished 12th, the toughest semifinal ever to be played with 28 countries!