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Hungary: AWS lead singer, Örs Siklósi has passed away!!

An unpleasant development became known through the official Eurovision site. It has to do with the lead singer of the group AWS, Örs Siklósi, who represented Hungary at Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon. Örs Siklósi unfortunately passed away today at age 29 losing the battle against leukaemia which he had been diagnosed with, since last June.

In their statement, the group members stated:

“To say the indescribable, to describe the indescribable. That is what we now have to do. In June, Örs was diagnosed with leukaemia. We now have to inform you with a broken heart that on 5 February our partner, friend and brother Örs Siklósi has passed away at the age of 29 after a long struggle.

 

Together with AWS, they had won the Hungarian national selection A Dal  and represented their nation in Lisbon in 2018, where the qualified in 10th place (with 111 points) from the 2nd Semi-Final, and in the Grand Final they ended up in 21st place with 93 points.

On behalf of the EurovisionFun site, we send our deepest condolences to his beloved ones, friends and family.

Source: Eurovision.tv 

Ukraine: Go_A’s song has already been chosen| It’s going to be released in March.

A few minutes ago, the official Twitter account of Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest tweeted that the jury has already selected the song with which Go_A will fly the Ukrainian flag in Rotterdam in May 2021. It’s release is expected to take place in March. The band cast three songs through which the entry was chosen.

The Ukrainian panel of the jury consists of 5 members:

  • Jamala, Eurovision 2016 winner
  • Evgeny Filaton, Μember of The Maneken band
  • Ruslan Kvinta, Music Porducer
  • Yarloslav Lodigin, UA:PBC Council Member
  • Dmitry Khorkin, UA:PBC Council Member

 

EBU releases Eurovision 2021 new branding!!

At the end of 2020, EBU revealed Eurovision 2021 new logo. Now EBU releases the fully new branding design for the next contest in Rotterdam, alongside with the relevant design patterns that will decorate Rotterdam in the upcoming May.

The colour palette used, is based on the flags colours of the participating countries, mostly primary colours. They are also combined with additional colours like pink, purple, light green which EBU says emphasise the festivity.

 

 

Moreover, the branding incorporates six patterns which include features of the Netherlands: landscapes, water, bridges, fields, creativity and resilience. Worth to be mentioned is the fact that there is not a single windmill. Those symbols where chosen so that people outside the Netherlands can be familiar with them as well.

 

The Branding of Eurovision 2021 will include The Track.

The aforementioned patterns will be used in backgrounds as well as in an additional part of the 2021 branding which is called the Track.

The Track takes its cue from the rays of the logo. It is made up of a number of triangular shapes which together form a long pathway type of design. The EBU says it’s based on the “symbol and perspective” of the Rotterdam stage design.

 

Source: Wiwibloggs

Norway: Watch the trailer of MGP 2021!

Earlier today, the Scandipop music site post on their Twitter account the trailer of Melodi Grand Prix 2021, the procedure through which Norway is going to choose their next representative at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2021, in Rotterdam.

 

The MGP 2021 is going to be held on the following dates

Semi-finals:
16 January 2021
23 January 2021
30 January 2021
6 February 2021
13 February 2021

Final:
20 February 2021

Italy: Only 400 spectators at San Remo 2021?

According to the Italian press of today, RAI is considering to allow only 400 spectators to be present at Teatro Ariston, under of course strict measures.

The plan under consideration, envisages the presence of 400 spectators, who, after they go through COVID-19 tests, will be transferred to a cruise ship at the city harbour. They will be on board under strict quarantine from the 2nd to the 6th of March 2021. Every evening special buses will drive those 400 spectators to Teatron Ariston for the festival. During the Festival rapid tests will be carried out, so that the organisers make sure that everyone is safe.

There are similar plans for the accredited journalists, while it is examined that they will stay at the casino of San Remo where the press centre might possibly be. RAI’s plan is to protect everyone involved at the organising of San Remo, so that the Festival can be televised as close as possible to normal conditions.

Source: tvblog.it 

Albania: The language of the “Karma” is yet to be decided

After her victory at Albania’s national final, Festivali i Këngës, Anxhela Peristeri gave her first short interview to the reporter of the public broadcaster RTSH.

Among others she mentioned how happy and emotional feels and that representing Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest was one of her dreams.

As far as the final form of her entry is concerned, Anxhela Peristeri commented that they haven’t made their minds up regarding the language yet (whether it is going to be in English or in Albanian) since her team was focused on the Festivali i Këngës. Moreover, she left open the possibility that there might be some changes at the lyrics.

Below you can watch the video of her firsts statements after her victory

https://youtu.be/6HcTwZ48Jhc

CASANOVA: I want people to dance and sing together ! Let them forget their problems for a few minutes!

Eurovision Fun had the honor to host an other exclusive interview with one more candidate of the French national Final Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!. His stage name is Casanova (real name Yoann Casanova), his entry is called Tutti  and he is going to perform it in French and Corsican. He is 27 years old and before he enters the music industry he used to work as a fireman. The French national final is expected to take place in January 2021.

 

Interview with Casanova

 

What’s your favorite French entry in the history of Eurovision ?

For the song and for the artist he is, I choose Patrick Fiori with “Mama Corsica” in 1993!
He represented France as I would like to represent it! He is very authentic, and a true French with all his cultural values !

Why did you wanna compete at the Eurovision concept ?

I have loved Eurovision since I was little! This big and spectacular show has always attracted me and intrigued me! I like to see how each country feels music. And discover different styles, and sounds of the world.

What is the message of your song ?

I want people to dance and sing together ! Let them forget their problems for a few minutes! Especially during this time of global pandemic…
In today’s society I find that we have become increasingly individualistic, social networks make us believe that we are connected but really, we are far away from each other…
In my song, I want to tell that whatever happens , together we are stronger and we can overcome everything !
Through it, I would like to be the face of culture and values of each French region

What can we expect from your stage presence ?

My team and I will give everything to prepare you the best possible performance on stage ! I really want you to come and party with me ! I’m so excited !

Can you tell us more about yourself so we and your fans can know you better ?

My real name is Yoann CASANOVA, I live in Bastia, Corsica and I’m 27 years old ! I was Fireman before. I left everything for music !
I was lucky to be able to participate in The Voice France and reach to the Final !
I love SPORT !!! Running in the mountains and Football !

I wanna ask you if there was someone from the music industry that was your idol or role model ?

I don’t really have an idol but a lot artists inspire me! In France I admire for Jacques Brel forhis texts and his interpretation… Johnny Hallyday remains the way to be on stage, a real showman! More recently I’m listening to Stromae, Ed Sheeran and John Mayer !

How was your experience in The Voice ?

It was a great adventure about people, friendships and art… I learned a lot about myself and my emotions during this period when we were performing ! I have incredible memories of it !

Have you ever visited Greece ?

I have never been to Greece… I’ve seen so many wonderful pictures, I have friends who told me so beautiful things about it! I hope to get there as soon as I can !

*At the end of the interview Casanova thanked us for the support*

In closing, we would like to thank Casanova for his time and we would like to wish him the best of luck to his attempt to raise the Tricolour in Rotterdam 2021.

Belgium: Luka Gruysberghs left The Hooverphonic. Geike Arnaert returns!!

Unexpected breaking news received a few moments ago.  The Hooverphonic replaced their current lead singer Luka Gruysberghs with their former one Geike Arnaert, with whom they achieved most of their success.

The Hooverphonic in the simple press release they issued a while ago express their grief for the replacement of Luka, but also their enthusiasm for the return of Geike, with whom they have preserved excellent relations,  through all these years since she left the band.

We met. We started talking. All three of us were willing to work together again, so we felt we had to do it. She is still the core of Hooverphonic.

The seed was planted a long time ago. Geike called me for something practical. The conversation was very pleasant. I told her we were preparing for the 20th anniversary of “The Magnificent Tree” and it suddenly turned out that we were looking forward to working together again. The split in 2008 was certainly not hostile, as many have said and written.

Alex Callier 

 

Geike Arnaert, who works solo since 2008, is very excited for her coming back and says:

We wanted to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the album together. It’s a weird feeling. I return to this with great pleasure. I do not know how the fans will react. But it looks very good to me. I will fit my own story in the songs again.

Geike Arnaert

 

For the forced leaving of Luka, Alex Callier, the leader of the band, states that it is a bittersweet decision, but she will remain the composer, if she wants to.

Of course it’s a little bittersweet for Luka. She is an excellent singer, no doubt on that. We had three wonderful years with her. But our collaboration ends here. We have traveled all over Europe and the United States and had many unforgettable moments together. We continue to support her with all of our heart. She will release a solo single from Universal and if Luka wants, of course I will continue to accompany her.

Alex Callier

 

The Hooverphonic with Geike Arnaert as lead singer released probably their biggest success, Mad About You .

Given the aforementioned developments it is self-evident that Geike will also be on the stage of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2021 for Belgium.

Source: hln.be

 

 

 

Sweden: Jessica Andersson ready for Melodifestivalen 2021. Klara Hammarström and Alvaro Estrella are in too.

According to the always valid newspaper Aftonbladet, 3 more artists are ready to compete in the next Melodifestivalen.

The 3 new candidates

The first name is the 2003 winner Jessica Andersson, who is ready to take part for the eighth time in the Swedish process for Eurovision. Jessica Andersson made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2003 with the duet Fame and the song “Give Me Your Love”, and represented Sweden at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 5th place. Her last participation in the Swedish selection was in 2018 with the song “Party Voice”. The song with which she is expected to participate is in the same style as the last one, modern uptempo schlagerpop.

 

 

The second name revealed by the newspaper is Klara Hammarström, who took part in this year’s Melodifestivalen with the song “Nobody” but without success. During the summer she took part in various songwriting camps for the Swedish selection process. According to a source of the newspaper, the people in charge of Melodifestivalen have asked for songs about this particular artist.

 

 

The third name revealed by Aftonbladet is that of Alvaro Estrella from Chile. Alvaro’s first appearance at the Melodifestivalen was in 2014 with the song “Bedroom” without success. His last attempt was in this year’s competition with the song “Vamos Amigos” with which he reached the final through the second chance round.

The artists who have confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2021 until now are:

  1. Julia Alfrida  (από τον ραδιοφωνικό διαγωνισμό P4 nästa)
  2. Tusse Chiza
  3. Sannex 
  4. Sami Rekik och Wahl
  5. The Mamas
  6. Dotter
  7. Jessica Andersson
  8. Klara Hammarström
  9. Alvaro Estrella

 

The full list of participants for Melodifestivalen 2021 is expected to be revealed by the end of November.

At this point, let us remind you that up to 2747 songs have been submitted for the upcoming Melodifestivalen.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun far all the developments as far as the participation of Sweden is concerned.

Sources: Aftonbladet ESCPanelen 

Hungary: The former head of delegation explains the reasons of absence from ESC 2021

Lőrinc Bubnó, the former head of delegation of Hungary gave an interview to Jan Bors, the former head of delegation of Czech Republic at the contest. In the third episode of “Humans of Eurovision” Lőrinc Bubnó explained the reasons why his country chose to be absent once again.

We must clarify that Lőrinc Bubnó expresses his own opinion and that he has not come in contact with the public broadcaster MTVA. So, according to his own point of view, there are two reasons that led to the withdrawal.

One being money, participating in Eurovision costs a lot of money, we are not a very rich country, if we have to cut something and it’s not good for the country’s image, then it was pretty sure they would cut this.

On the other hand, Hungarians still need some time to be prepared for “Western Europe” and the LGBTQ+ community and how to accept people.

An additional reason for the withdrawal of Hungary is the great success of A Dal, the show through which the nation used to select its Eurovision representative. The aforementioned success continues despite the non-participation at the song contest.

You can watch the entire interview below.