Iceland: national selection line-up confirmed

Eyþór Ingi represented Iceland in Malmö this year.

 

Reykjavik, Iceland - The Icelandic broadcaster RUV has released today the information regarding the method of selecting their entry for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. They will have two semi-finals, on Saturdays the 1st and the 8th of February, with the final taking place the following Saturday 15th of February. Ten songs have been selected for the competition, five in each semi-final.

No less than 297 songs have been submitted in Iceland, approximately 25% more songs than for the 2013 contest. Also the number of songs that each composer was allowed to send had been changed in their rules: in previous years each composer could submit three songs, this year only two songs. This means that never before have so many composers sent songs to the contest.
In total 23 songwriters and lyricist will take part in Söngvakeppnin 2014 and 18 artists will perform the ten songs. This is the participants list (authors between brackets):

• Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir - Amor (Haukur Johnson)
• Guðbjörg Magnúsdóttir - Aðeins ætluð þér (María Björk Sverrisdóttir, Marcus Frenell, Beatrice Eriksson & Johnny Sanchez)
• Sverrir Bergmann - Dönsum burtu blús (StopWaitGo)
• Vignir Snær Vigfússon - Elsku þú (Vignir Snær Vigfússon / Þórunn Erna Clausen)
• Gréta Mjöll Samúelsdóttir - Eftir eitt lag (Ásta Björg Björgvinsdóttir / Bergrún Íris Sævarsdóttir)
• Pollapönk (Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson, Haraldur F. Gíslason, Guðni Finnsson and Arnar Gíslason) - Enga fordóma (Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson and Haraldur F. Gíslason)
• Sigríður Eyrún Friðriksdóttir - Lífið kviknar á ný (Karl Olgeir Olgeirsson / Sigríður Eyrún Friðriksdóttir)
• Guðrún Árný Karlsdóttir - Til þín (Trausti Bjarnason / Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir)
• Gissur Páll Gissurarson - Von (Jóhann Helgason)
• F.U.N.K. - Þangað til ég dey (Franz Ploder Ottósson, Pétur Finnbogason and Lárus Örn Arnarsson)

Pollapönk are Heiðar Örn Kristjánsson, Haraldur F. Gíslason, Guðni Finnsson and Arnar Gíslason while F.U.N.K. comprises Franz Ploder Ottósson, Pétur Finnbogason, Lárus Örn Arnarsson, Valbjörn Snær Lilliendahl, Egill Ploder Ottósson and Hörður Bjarkason. The authors of Dönsum burtu blús are StopWaitGo which is made of Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson, Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson and Sæþór Kristjánsson.
Televoting will decide which songs from the semi-finals will qualify for the final. Like last year, televoting and an expert jury will decide jointly the top two songs in the final. After a duel between the top two, televoting only will decide which song will represent Iceland in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Denmark.
 

What do you think of the Icelandic participants?

 

Make your #MyEurovisionIdea happen for 2014

#JoinUs: Theme art in 2014, DR has presented the theme art for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: DR

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Have you always had an idea what could be happening during the interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest? If you share it this year with the organiser, it might just happen!

It’s one of the world’s biggest TV shows, followed by some 180 million people in more than 40 countries. And it could be your idea that they will see during the show for four minutes!
But how? Today, DR, the Host Broadcaster of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest has started a campaign #MyEurovisionIdea where fans all over the world can send in their ideas and the best ones will be used in the show!

How you can help:

1. Think of an idea for the ultimate interval act for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest
2. Share your idea on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - and use the hashtag #MyEurovisionIdea
3. Remember that your status on Facebook to be public, and your privacy settings must be set to public on Instagram, so DR can see your suggestion
4. The most amazing ideas become reality on TV in May 2014!

You can send in your ideas till the 31st of January. You can also read how it works exactly on JoinUs.dk.

Looking for great ideas

"We believe that there are a lot of creative forces out among viewers throughout Europe and those we would like to leave a voice. Therefore, we now call on all those who have ideas and opinions about how one of the numbers in the show should look like to send in their proposals," says DR’s Show Producer, Jan Lagermand Lundme.
"It can be anything under the sun! A proposal for wild costumes or a crazy set design. An artist who creates something really special or a reunion with old or new Eurovision Song Contest stars. Small and big ideas that we can put together the most amazing number," he explains.
All ideas will be checked by DR's creative team and will be made happen if possible, Lundme adds: "We have the energy, spirit and desire to make it all happen. There can of course be good ideas that are not possible to put into practice but come and try to challenge us!"
The next Eurovision Song Contest will be held on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May on Copenhagen, Denmark.

Watch LIVE: Ukrainian national final

 

Kyiv, Ukraine - It has almost become a tradition to hold the national final in Ukraine in the midday. So today, the Ukrainian national selection with 20 finalists kicks off at 11:15 CET in Kyiv. Follow this exciting show with us here on eurovision.tv!

There is a nice mix of rock and pop songs as well as ballads in the Ukrainian national final, in different languages: English, Ukrainian and Russian. 13 female artists and 7 male artists will fight for the honour to represent Ukraine in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Among them there are young and talented singers who just stand at the beginning of their musical career and some already well known names.
Some of participants have already some Eurovision experience. Roman Polonsky tried his luck in the Russian and Ukrainian national qualifying rounds in 2005. Volodymyr Tkachenko participated in the pre-rounds in 2006, 2010 and 2011. Shanis performed in the Ukrainian national final in 2011.
Here is the line-up of the Ukrainian contestants. You can listen to their entries recorded in the pre-selection.

1. Duet Anna-Maria - 5 Stars Hotel
2. Roman Polonskij - Wanted Dead Or Alive
3. ULI RUD - Tswetok (Flower)
4. Marietta - It's My Life
5. Stas Shurins - Why
6. Anatoli Shparyov - Waiting For You
7. Nataliya Valevska - Love Makes You Beautiful
8. Lissa Wassabi - No Fear
9. Volodymyr Tkachenko - Buty Tam De Ty (To Be Where You Are)
10. Shanis - Moya Dusha (My Soul)
11. Victoria Petryk - Love Is Lord
12. Evgen Litvinkovych - Strelyanaya Ptitsa (Wounded Bird)
13. Band NeAngely - Courageous
14. Illaria - I’m Alive
15. Tetyana Shyrko - Let Go
16. Tania BerQ - Believe Me
17. Maria Yaremchuk - Tick-Tock
18. Victor Romanchenko - Na Krayu Propasti (On The Brink Of The Abyss)
19. Anna Hodorkovska - Yesli Yest Lyubov (If There Is Love)
20. Denis Lyubimov - Love

The charming Zlata Ognevich who participated in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö is expected in today's show as a guest. The Ukrainian singer Matias and Kamalia will come to support the participants. Sofia Tarasova who took part in the 2014 Junior Eurovision Song Contest will sing in the interval act. The hosts are Timur Miroshnychenko and Tetyana Terehova.
The winner in the Ukrainian national selection will be chosen by a join decision of a professional jury and the sms-voting public. Only one sms is allowed from every mobile phone. Mass media can also give their voice for their favourites in an extra voting.

Watch with us the Ukrainian national final!
 

Who are you supporting in the Ukrainian national final? Tell us below!

Estonia reveals 20 Eurovision hopefuls

Urban Symphony's leading vocalist Sandra Nurmsalu staged a fairy tale back in 2009.

Tallinn, Estonia - Estonian broadcaster, ERR, has revealed the participants of their national selection for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Many stars have decided to return for the next edition of Eesti Laul.

In today's daily roundup show, Ringvaade, the Executive Producer of Eesti Laul, Heidy Purga released the list of the qualifiers.

The lucky qualifiers

• Tanja - Amazing - Written by Timo Vendt & Tatjana Mihhailova
• Sofia Rubina - City Lights - Priit Juurmann, Sofia Rubina
• Maltised - Elu - Jakko Maltis
• MiaMee - Fearful Heart - Liina Saar, Liisi Koikson
• The Titles - Flame - Rasmus Lill, Markus Rafael Nylund
• Sandra Nurmsalu - Kui Tuuled Pöörduvad - Sven Lõhmus
• August Hunt - Kus On EXIT? - August Hunt
• Norman Salumäe - Search - Norman Salumäe
• Traffic - Für Elise - Stig Rästa, Silver Laas
• Brigita Murutar - Laule Täis Taevakaar - Rainer Michelson, Feliks Kütt
• Lauri Pihlap - Lootus - Lauri Pihlap (watch)
• VÖÖRAD - Maailm On Hull - Priit Uustulnd, Meiko Umal
• Super Hot Cosmos Blues Band - Maybe-Maybe - Mati Sütt, Janno Reim (watch)
• Nion - Muud Pole Vaja - Karl Kanter, Keit Triisa, Marilyn Jurman (watch)
• Wilhelm - Resignal - Lauri Kadalipp (listen)
• Nimmerschmidt - Sandra - Fredy Schmidt, Andero Nimmer, Merilyn Merisalu (listen)
• Maiken - Siin Või Sealpool Maad - Kadri Koppel
• State of Zoe - Solina - Anneliis Kits, Sander Mölder
• Kõrsikud - Tule Ja Jää - Kõrsikud
• Lenna - Supernoova - Mihkel Raud (watch)

Stars return

Stars return to Estonian Selection

Check out the Full gallery

Out of this year's qualifiers, Sandra Nurmsalu and Lenna have already experience from the Eurovision Song Contest as singers. The first having represented Estonia in 2009 with Rändajad and Lenna carrying the Swiss flag in 2005 with Vanilla Ninja's Cool Vibes. The author of Sandra's song, Sven Lõhmus, has also written three songs that have competed for Estonia - Suntribe's Let's Get Loud (2005), Sandra Nurmsalu's Rändajad (2009) and Getter Jaani's Rockefeller Street (2011).

Lauri Pihlap was a member of 2XL who won the Eurovision Song Contest the last time it was held in Denmark, in 2001 with Tanel Padar and Dave Benton's Everybody.

Sofia Rubina, August Hunt, Norman Salumäe, Tanja Mihhailova, Traffic, Liisi Koikson and Kõrsikud have all taken part previously in the Estonian national selection but have not managed to win it yet. Kadri Koppel has also taken part in the previous Estonian selection format, Eurolaul and is the vocal coach of Ott Lepland who finished sixth at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.

Runaway success

The jury who picked the qualifiers included Maarja-Liis Ilus (represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1996 and 1997), Janek Murd (musician), Erik Morna (Radio 2’s Head of Music), Siim Nestor (music critic), Kaupo Karelson (producer), Valner Valme (music critic), Tauno Aints (composer), Ingrid Kohtla (music editor), Owe Petersell (Editor in Chief of Radio Elmar), Toomas Punas (Programme Director of Radio Sky+), Kostja Tsõbulevski (musician).

This year's show will be held on the 14th, 21st of February with the final on the 1st of March.

Last year Estonia's Birgit Õigemeel finished 20th with her song Et Uus Saaks alguse.

 

This year a record breaking number of 188 songs were sent in to the organisers by the deadline. The format of Eesti Laul has been a runaway success with Estonia qualifying for the Final of the contest four times in the last five years.

 

 

Emmelie de Forest (Denmark 2013) performing at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013

 

 

 

Emmelie de Forest won the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest for Denmark with the song "Only Teardrops". On the first of December, she performed her song at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine.

 

 

 

Zlata Ognevich (Ukraine 2013) performs at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013

 

 

 

Zlata Ognevich represented Ukraine in Malmo, Sweden with the song Gravity. On the first of December she co-hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. There she had a performance including "Gravity"

 

 

About Zlata Ognevich

Zlata Ognevich is a very beloved celebrity in Ukraine. She is no stranger in the Eurovision Song Contest. Her first attempt was in 2010 where she finished fifth in the Ukrainian national final. Last year, Zlata took part in the Ukrainian national selection with her unique entry The Kukushka but came second. This year, Zlata will have the honour to sing for her country in Malmö. She is looking forward to new experiences, new acquaintances, new emotions and feelings!

Malta wins Junior Eurovision 2013!

Gaia is the winner!

 

TopicsGaia CauchiNews 2013Junior EurovisionWinner

 

Kyiv, Ukraine - In the last few minutes, Gaia has won the 2013 Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Malta!
Читать по-русски | Читати українською

The Maltese song, "The Start", was performed by Gaia Gauchi and won with 130 points. Receiving the second prize was Ukraine's Sofia Tarasova, whilst Ilya Volkov from Belarus took third place.
The final scoreboard is as follows:
130 Malta
121 Ukraine
108 Belarus
106 Russia
091 Georgia
069 Armenia
066 Azerbaijan
059 The Netherlands
046 Sweden
042 San Marino
041 Moldova
019 FYR Macedonia

Sirusho feat. Sakis Rouvas - See

 

 

 

Official video of See by Sirusho and Sakis Rouvas.

About Sakis Rouvas

After twenty top-selling CDs & DVDs, fifteen awards in leading Music Awards categories and two films, Sakis Rouvas is undoubtedly the ultimate pop star in Greece with great international appeal.

Sakis Rouvas - ultimate pop-star

Sakis Rouvas was born in Corfu. Since 1996, he has the largest fan club, with thousands of members from all parts of the world.
In 1997, Sakis along with Turkish Burak Kut threw a binational concert on the Green Line in Cyprus, for which he won the Ipekci International Award for Understanding and Cooperation.
In 2002, Sakis released his album in France, followed by an unforgettable concert in the legendary Olympia!
In the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest, Sakis with “Shake It” gets the third place, but everyone considers him as a winner too thanks to his striking performance.
He performs at the Closing Ceremony in the Olympic Games in Athens. He also records a duet with Philip Kirkorov in Greek and Russian becoming a huge hit and appeared as a guest in three international concerts given by the leading Greek artist Nana Mouskouri, impressing the audience and critics.
In 2005, Sakis won the World Music Award for World's Best-Selling Greek Artist.
In 2006, Sakis and Maria Menounos were the hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest, in Athens. Everyone is talking about his flawless presentation and his remarkable singing performances.
Open to new challenges, Sakis accepted the invitation of the Greek broadcaster ERT to represent Greece in this year's Europe's favorite TV-show, saying that the contest was one of the most important and exciting moments of his career, which he wanted to experience again.

 

About Sirusho

Sirusho was born in 1987 in Yerevan, Armenia. She was raised in a family comprised of a father who is an accomplished actor and director, and her mother a well-known and respected singer. She has been singing all of her life and first performed on stage at the age of seven. Since then she blossomed into being one of the most popular and loved singers in Armenia.

Sirusho has toured in many countries and has spread the Armenian pop and folk music in, Canada, USA, Syria, Iran, France, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Lebanon, Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Jordan, Egypt, etc. For the past four years, she has consecutively been awarded as 'Best female Artist' in Armenia (2005), 'Best female artist' in Russia (2006) (among the Armenian population) and' Best female Artist' in USA (2007) (among the Armenian population) and in the Armenian Golden Star Awards she received the award of best female artist in 2007. Her Sheram album has been recognized as the 'Best album of the year' in Armenia (2005).
In addition, she has also been awarded for her videos. Her songs have always been on top of the charts. She has released three albums throughout her career (Sirusho in 2000, Sheram in 2005 and Hima in 2007). She recorded her first pop album when she was thirteen. Her second album comprised Armenian folk songs, which was recognized as the 'Best album of the Year' in 2007. Her third album conveyed her own music and lyrics in Armenian and English. She also has been known to write songs for many other Armenian artists. She will be the first female and the third participant to ever represent Armenia in Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade.

 

Poland returns to Eurovision after two-year break

TVP

Geneva, Switzerland -

Polish broadcaster TVP confirmed on its website to re-join the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, after a two-year break. The announcement comes just weeks after Portuguese broadcaster RTP announced its come-back next year in Copenhagen, and on the day that broadcast management from all over Europe gathers in Geneva for the 71st EBU General Assembly.

"We've had a long, but constructive dialogue with our Polish colleagues," says Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the contest on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). "I'm very happy the hard work paid off, and that TVP returns with a renewed energy," he adds.
TVP's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a strong message to Europe and Poland's 38 million citizens, twenty years after the country joined the contest for the first time. Edyta Górniak's To nie ja! finished 2nd, making it Poland's most successful participation to date.

READ MORE: Poland's history at the Eurovision Song Contest
The EBU will continue its talks with broadcasters who announced not to participate in 2014, focusing on the possibility to return for the 60th anniversary of the contest in 2015. In the speculations leading up to the official list of participants, traditionally to be released in early January, a lot has been said about one country in particular; Greece. Earlier this year, the Greek government dismantled public broadcaster ERT, a new and fully operational public broadcaster has yet to go on air. "One thing is for sure; we are determined to make sure that Greece is represented in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest," says Jon Ola Sand, hinting at the efforts being made behind the scenes.
With today's announcement, the slogan for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest just gets an extra dimension - #JoinUs!

Poland was represented by Magdalena Tul at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, with the song Jestem. Have a look!
 

Meanwhile, Polish media are full of buzz about the country's return to the Eurovision Song Contest.