Austrian dances and songs for London chosen

Kelly & Andy Kain, who will represent Austria in the Eurovision Dance Contest on 1st September, have decided that they will perform a Jive as their first dance and a Paso Doble as their second. Furthermore, the two songs they have chosen have now been confirmed.

For the Jive, the song chosen is Boogie woogie bugle boy, a classic which was among other recorded by The Andrews Sisters and Bette Midler. The song which will be played for the Paso Doble performance is a more modern one: The black pearl, which appeared on the soundtrack of the film Pirates of the Carribean. Since the second dance of the evening is supposed to contain elements inspired by the culture of the competing country, the Paso Doble will also contain some elements of the Vienesse Waltz.

source:esctoday.com

Spain chose Eurovision dancers

Amagoya Benlloch and Abraham Martinez Fernandez will represent Spain in the first edition of the Eurovision Dance Contet on 1st September. The couple won the final of the national selection called Mira quien baila a Eurovision ahead of three other couples.

The results of the evening were as follows:

1. Amagoya & Abraham
2. Judit & Robert
3. Lorena & Pol
4. Masha & Nicolas

source:esctoday.com

CyBC issues a press release on reactions against JESC hosting

oikotimes.com reports:

The local press of Cyprus is not exactly fan of the idea of hosting the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, mostly motivated by specific motives. Cypriot national broadcaster issued a press release explaining why the hosting of Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 is a great chance for the country:

First of all the broadcaster explains that the JESC event is a big event for European Television and Press as well. If you can imagine that around 20-30 million will watch live the event from Cyprus. Since 1978 this is the first time CyBC has the chance to host a big event in the country. Cypriots should morally support the event. CyBC will ask the assistance of professionals for the outcome to make the entire nation proud.

The CyBC delegation trip to Rotterdam seem to have risen questions in the local press. CyBC defines that the delegation was partied by the CyBC CEO, Special Advisor and Cypriot Head of Delegation for JESC as it was asked by the meeting requirements. CyBC won the bid for the 2008 host among Sweden, Portugal and Ukraine.

source:Eurovision Cyprus (in greek language)

Greece: Kostas Martakis at New Wave festival

[UPD] 1st day winners:Barcelona ranked 1st this, while Greece ranked 8th

The final for the International Competition Of Young Singers of Popular Music the

" New Wave" will start in 14 days.

One of the finalists is Kostas Martakis from Greece.

Kostas Martakis is a specialist in computer technologies (American College, Athens). He has been singing for a long time, but it was last year that he started doing it professionally.

The young man values the attention of the near and dear ones. He is afraid of loneliness.

Kostas likes studying, playing basketball and listening to music in his free time. The best place for having a rest for the musician is on the Greek Islands. He dreams of singing a duet with Beyonce.

The first album of the artist was called "Anatropi" (which means "reversal" in Greek) - it contained songs in pop-rock style, ballads and dance songs.

His secret dream is to become a singer and the artist has just started realizing it. Love inspires the young man to work. Kostas approves of people who strive hard and work to achieve their goals. Every time the artist participates in charity events, he feels satisfaction.

The artist likes to wear jeans and his favorite aroma is Dior homme. His favorite colour is blue.If Kostas Martakis was a sponsor, he would give money to build a hospital for remote African communities.

His favorite author is Charles Dickens and he likes pop-rock style of music and songs performed by Robbie Williams and Mika.

Kostas can not cook. He believes in signs of fate, but he mostly believes in the ability of human beings. The artist's motto is "I always look forward".

He would like to star in an action movie. His favorite film is "Brave Heart".

Athens, native for the artist is an amazing place where one can see modern life together with the history. Kostas would gladly travel back in time to ancient Greece when the civilization was at a very high level.

Kostas lives by the sea and he has an excellent view out of his window!

He has decided to sing a dance song at the "New Wave" contest; Kostas explained - I am Greek and summer means dancing and having a good time for the Greeks! The young performer likes taking part in competitions: he participated in them as a basketball player before, and as a singer now! The artist wants to continue doing that. He has heard a lot about the "New Wave" from his Russian friends. Kostas knows that participation in the contest in Jurmala is a wonderful opportunity to make himself and his music known in the biggest market in Europe.

Anatropi

source:New Wave 2007

The order of contestants' performace at New Wave

Oikotimes.com in collaboration with Eurovision Cyprus site will cover the event exclusively for the web so stay tuned.

Iceland back in 2008 - with changes!

esctoday.com reports:

Iceland is the latest of the disenchanted Western Eurovision Song Contest entrants to confirm that they will be participating in Serbia.

After the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest semi final, doubt about Iceland's future participation were deepened with a public outcry and with the Icelandic Head of Delegation telling esctoday.com that he could not rule out Iceland withdrawing from the competition. (Read the full interview here)

Both the rules and the selection process in Iceland will be changing in 2008. To be eligable to enter the competiton, singers and songwriters must be confirmed as having Icelandic residence by 1st October 2007.

Entries must be submitted to RUV by 3rd September. This means that artists could take up residency in Iceland in order to participate should they wish to do so.

Whilst the rules state that RUV would 'prefer' songs to be in Icelandic, the opportunity to submit songs in other languages now exists. Previously, songs had to be submitted and performed in icelandic and the winning entry was translated into English for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Read CHANGES TO THE COMPETITION

Polish dancers for London chosen

from esctoday.com

Kasia Cichopek and Marcin Hakiel will represent Poland in the first edition of the Eurovision Dance Contest to be held in London 1st September. The couple won the Polish edition of Strictly come dancing called Taniec z gwizdami.

Like other countries, Poland will be represented by a couple consiting of a professional dancer and a VIP: Kasia Cichopek is actually an actress starring in the sitcom M jak Miłość.

Furhtermore, almost all participants already chosen for London have competed in their national version of Strictly come dancing, even if the show was not supposed to select the entrants, i.e. in Ireland, Germany, Austria, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Arevik group to represent Armenia - JESC

esckaz.com reports:

Armenia will be represented at Junior Eurovision by 8 singers of children and youth ensemble of public television and radio of Armenia "Arevik" - young singers specially selected for the event, 14 year old Marianna Javahyan, 10 year old Kristine and Anahit. They will be supported by 5 other children.

The band will perform a song, written by Marianna herself.

1. Alexanyan Kristine (11 years old)

2. Sargsyan Anahit (11years old)

3. Barseghyan Mariam (11 years old)

4. Manukyan Rosa (14 years old)

5. Javakhyan Marianna (15 years old) - the song-writer and partially the lyrisist

6. Tarkhanyan-Khoetsyan Lilit (12 years old)

7. Mzikyan Sargis (13 years old)

8. Amiryan Seda (12 years old)

The selection of "Arevik" band for the contest is not accidental. It is the only professional children ensemble in the country. The band is successfully taking part in many international contests and festivals.

"We're going to Junior Eurovision to win there, and our victory will become victory of whole Armenia", says Armen Divanyan.

Read more about Armenian representative here

JESC : Alexandra Golovchenko - "Otlichnitsa"

10 year old Alexandra Golovchenko has won the national Russian preselection for Junior Eurovision song contest 2007.

Scandal with the Russian entry in JESC

esckaz.com reports:

The scandal, connected with Junior Eurovision, is developing in Volgograd.

Volgograd composer, Olga Bulikeria, accuse parents of Russian JESC 2007 entrant Sasha Golovchenko in stealing her song.

I have written music for the song "Otlichnitsa", I do have rough original copies to prove it, and 10 year old girl can not compose a jazz song herself, tells Bulikeriya.

Golovchenko family deny all allegations and prepares counter appeal accusing Bulikeriya in blackmailing.

We have to remind you that last year after Eurovision accusations towards "Vesenniy jazz" also appeared. It was alleged that parents of Tolmachevy sisters bought the song from the local author.

But allegations didn't find the sufficient grounds and were generally considered as attempt of campaign against winners of Junior Eurovision 2006. It may turn that new allegations also are sort of tabloid rumours.

Read more on esckaz.com

Azerbaijan became active EBU member

According to ESCkaz.com, representatives of Azerbaijan Public Television stated shortly after acceding to the EBU that "our aim is to enter the Eurovision Song Contest". This makes a stark contrast to the situation for Azerbaijan a month ago after AzTV were denied EBU membership due to too strict state control of the channel.

A participation is now possible as Azerbaijan has fulfilled the most basic rule of the competition - having an active membership of the EBU. However, it remains to be seen whether the EBU will allow any more participants for the 2008 contest after 42 countries took part in Helsinki.

After confirmed interest from Slovakia and San Marino, as well as a petition being launched for the entrance of San Marino, and assuming nobody withdraws, this gives us a possible total of 45 interested countries for Belgrade.

source:esctoday.com;esckaz.com

Who should represent Greece & Cyprus

Oikotimes.com opened a poll for the potential Greek and Cypriot representative.

The two polls include names which oikotimes.com decided to use without any interference by either of the broadcasters of Greece and Cyprus.

The list of names is also including other options. At this phase you can just express your opinion by voting in the polls.

CHECK THE SPECIAL PAGE HERE

http://www.oikotimes.com/site/index.php?id=9658

OGAE Greece new board

OGAE Greece have elected their new board. With the exception of the current president, Antonis Karatzikos, and vice-president, Kostas Zisis, the rest of the new board consists of new members.

The new OGAE Greece board consists of:

Antonis Karatzikos, president

Kostas Zisis, Vice president

Helena Papadopoulou, Secretary General

Panyiotis Lapas, Treasurer

Babis Grammatikopoulos, Rest of Greece and Europe Communications Officer

Giorgos Kalpakidis, Public Relations Officer

Andreas Kalaitzis, Festival and Entertainment officer

The new board will currently be working on the organisation of the 2007 OGAE Song Contest, which came to Greece from Italy as Helena Paparizou won last year with Mambo. The contest will be presented both in English and French and the board are in search of the presenters.

source:esctoday.com;OGAE Greece

photo:OGAE Greece

Norway launches search for 2008 entry

Norwegian broadcaster NRK has announced the launch of its campaign for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, with the call for entries for the Melodi Grand Prix 2008.

Entries are welcomed from outside of Norway, in addition, NRK will be inviting songwriters to submit songs and the broadcaster reserves the right to select artists for the selected entries.

Aside from the standard song rules, such as the song having to be 3 minutes or less in length, it is interesting to note that once again the Norwegian national final is open to composers of all nationalities - despite the annual controversy over the number of Swedes in the Norwegian final, with them sometimes even winning, for example in 2007 and 2004.

All entries must be received by NRK by the 1st September 2007. NRK will also once again directly invite some artists and composers, as they did in 2007. As yet there are no dates for the Norwegian national final. Norway will use the 3 semi-final and second chance system, as they have done in 2006 and 2007.

Whoever represents Norway will have to start in the semi final in Belgrade due to Guri Schanke's failure to qualify for the final in Helsinki. For interested songwriters, the form for entry is found in English here.

source:esctoday.com

"Molitva" lyrics altered for Serbia's tennis stars

esctoday.com reports:

It seems that this year's Eurovision winning song "Molitva" has become a general anthem for Serbian success! The song has been used by the BBC for their coverage of Wimbledon, often using the tune during highlight clips that filled the numerous rain delays over the last two weeks.

When Serbia's three top players, Ana Ivanović, Jelena Janković and Novak Đoković returned from the French Open, they were greeted by a hero's welcome in Belgrade. Around 15 00 Belgradians gathered on the main square, and the event's organisers Sergej Trifunović and Marko Živić began to sing the song with altered lyrics:

"Nebo zna, baš kao ja, da će doći dan kad ću pobediti Nadala, kad ću svrgnuti Federera, Rodžera, ra, ra, ra". ("Heaven knows, just as I do, that the day will come when I beat Nadal, when I oust Federer, Roger, ra ra ra")

As Jelena Janković won the Wimbledon mixed doubles with Britain's Jamie Murray, a similar welcome will be expected in the next couple of days.

During the numerous rain breaks at this year's Wimbledon, clips of the Eurovision winner were shown on the BBC, and a Serbian journalist came onto the court and said that 2007 was Serbia's year, and that Serbs don't like to settle for second place. This is not the first time that there has been Eurovision Song Contest entries being picked up by the BBC. Last year, the instrumental version of the Swedish entry, Invincible was used during their coverage of the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.