January 19 ➡️ the latest #Eurovision headlines from Moldova, UK, France and more…

GERMANY 🇩🇪
“Stones” songwriter Laurell Barker set for Germany’s Unser Lied für Israel with song “Sister”.

LATVIA 🇱🇻
Tickets for Latvia’s Eurovision selection show Supernova 2019 are now on sale. Supernova 2019 is set to take place over three shows, with two semi-finals (January 26th and February 2nd), and the Grand Final on February 16th. Sixteen artists will take to the stage in the hopes of qualifying to the final. Tickets start at 10 euros each and can be purchased here.

https://www.ekase.lv/lv/biletes/vietu-izvele/?performance=2411&fbclid=IwAR06qaowK2YmoNCvXXK1x9pbFZZQ5nCBAZ7c5IuW4w81iqslvwFHEXMCYmQ

POLAND 🇵🇱
Despite an earlier announcement from Noel Curran, Director General for the EBU, in which he announced Krakow as the host city for Junior Eurovision 2019 “…This is a fantastic event that will take place in Krakow, and I cannot wait… I will definitely be there.”, it appears that Polish broadcaster TVP have denied that they have made a decision on the host city for this years contest.

GEORGIA 🇬🇪
Organizers of Georgian Idol Sakartvelos Varskvlavi have revealed that the third show which will be broadcasted this Saturday will aim to select 10 finalists of the project.

UNITED KINGDOM 🇬🇧
This afternoon, the BBC has revealed that the six entries in this year’s Eurovision: You Decide will be unveiled from 10am on Wednesday, January 23rd on BBC Radio 2!

ROMANIA 🇷🇴
Laura Bretan was moved to the second semifinal of the National Romanian Selection, which will be held on Sunday, February 10, in Arad. “The postponement of the Aradian semifinal, scheduled for January 20, allowed the organizers to return to the original line-up. We thank Laura for agreeing and reorganizing her program to this effect”, says TVR statement.

MOLDOVA 🇲🇩
A total of 28 songs have been submitted to the Moldovan broadcaster TRM for their annual national selection for Eurovision. This news comes after the submission deadline was reached today after giving 1 month for artists to get their songs and ideas together.

ITALY 🇮🇹
The Italian national broadcaster has confirmed the hosts of the 69th edition of Sanremo festival. RAI revealed that Claudio Bisio, Virginia Raffaele and Claudio Baglioni will be the host of the upcoming Sanremo Festival 2019.

RUSSIA 🇷🇺
KP is reporting that the Russian entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 will be revealed on “Priamoy efir”. According to Komsomolskaya Pravda the reveal is set to take place on Andrey Malakhov’s show which is broadcast by Russia-1 on February 1. VGTRK has previously said that they will reveal their participant at the end of January, but have not given a specific date.

FRANCE 🇫🇷
The winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, Netta Barzilai, will perform in the second semi-final of Destination Eurovision tomorrow.

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The Netherlands 2019 🇳🇱 DJ Armin van Buuren to compose the Eurovision entry?

THE NETHERLANDS – According to the reporter’s report, the song that the country will send to Tel Aviv has been selected and is a dance track and will be composed by producer and DJ Armin van Buuren. The singer of the song is still being sought. Just as it was mentioned, it is very likely that the song was created by a well-known DJ, stating that Armin van Buuren might be one. Music editor Koos van Plateringen released information on the Dutch participation in Eurovision 2019.

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Finland 2019 🇫🇮 Krista Siegfrids to host UMK

FINLAND – Krista Siegfrids, who represented Finland at Eurovision 2013, will present the national final of UMK 2019, as the country’s public television announced a while ago. Finland will announce its Eurovision entrant at a special press conference on January 29th. UMK 2019 is expected to include as the sole candidate the artist to be announced, interpreting various songs in order for the television audience and the jury to choose what will represent Finland in Tel Aviv, just like last year with Saara Aalto.

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Australia 2019 🇦🇺 last three national final acts announced

AUSTRALIA – SBS and production partner Blink TV today announced five new songs and the final three acts to compete in the first ever national selection show Eurovision – Australia Decides next month.

Hosted on the Gold Coast and broadcast live and exclusively on SBS on Saturday 9 February, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase some of Australia’s biggest acts, singing original compositions, for their chance to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

Rounding out a diverse line-up of artists from across the musical spectrum are: rock music icon Ella Hooper well-known and loved for her debut in rock-pop band Killing Heidi, bona fide Aussie pop legend Tania Doko best known for her success in ARIA award winning pop duo Bachelor Girl and The Voice winner Alfie Arcuri.

SBS can also reveal five more original compositions released today: Mark Vincent will sing This Is Not The End, a powerful song about facing obstacles with persistence and determination. Aydan’s song Dust is about young love and heartbreak, 16-year-old Leea Nanos’ song Set Me Free is about empowerment and letting go of self-doubt, while Alfie Arcuri’s To Myself questions how one could ever doubt their self-worth. Teased over New Year’s Eve, modern electric-soul duo Electric Fields’s song 2000 and Whatever is a brooding and joyous track about making the most of life, while legendary drag queen Courtney Act’s song Fight for Love was released last month. This leaves just four songs to be released from Sheppard, Kate Miller-Heidke, Tania Doko and Ella Hooper.

Alfie Arcuri said:
“It’s an honour to be involved in a competition that celebrates and embraces music and diversity… and to take this journey alongside such amazing Australian talents is truly incredible! There’s always something special about the first – scary but exciting!”

https://alfiearcuri.lnk.to/AlfieAcuriToMyself

Ella Hooper said:
“It’s very exciting to be involved in anything that is the first of its kind, and in recent years I have become more and more fascinated with Eurovision, so it’s perfect timing! I’m hoping to bring a bit of traditional rock ‘n’ roll energy to a bombastic performance of a meaningful pop song.”

Tania Doko said:
“This is one of those unplanned, didn’t-see-this-coming little chapter in my career I’m embracing with a sense of adventure and excitement. Then, as a songwriter performing a song I co-wrote, there’s the icing on the cake right there!”

Hosted by radio host and music buff Myf Warhurst, and comedian Joel Creasey, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action.

In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and the City of Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February and tickets for the Jury Preview Show, Matinee Preview Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.

Be a part of history and see it live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

JURY PREVIEW SHOW Friday 8 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised)
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
National Jury Vote

MATINEE PREVIEW SHOW Saturday 9 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised)
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 9 February, 7.30pm AEST
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
Public Vote (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS)

To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI19

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Lithuania 2019 🇱🇹 Paola Hart shortens her Eurovision preparations due to mourning

LITHUANIA – Paola Hart is participating in Lithuanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. This Saturday her fans will not only hear but also see the performer on the big stage of the national “Eurovision” selection. She will perform her song “I`ll Be Alright”. Today the singer presents studio version of the song.

The artist has already presented three songs and two video clips to her fans over the past year. According to her, the song “I`ll Be Alright” is highly significant because of the shocking new she has recently find out:

“I planned to come to Lithuania before the national “Eurovision” audition and spent all my time for the preparation and recording of the new songs for my album.

Unfortunately, regardless of your plans, the God`s decisions are unpredictable. Recently, a very close person to me passed away, so I had to give up recordings and shorten the preparation time for the contest”, – says Paola Hart.

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Spain 2019 🇪🇸 listen to the full versions for Gala Eurovisión

SPAIN – Spanish broadcaster RTVE has already published the final versions of the ten songs that will compete for the country’s representation in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Eurovision gala of Operation Triumph will be already next Sunday, the 20th!

The ten Spanish Euro-Masters, in the competition for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2019, are already known in their final and complete versions! RTVE has released the final versions of the songs competing in the OT Eurovision gala on January 20th.

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Croatia 2019 🇭🇷 HRT announces 16 finalists and two back up entries

CROATIA – Few moments ago HRT’s expert jury announced the 16 finalists for DORA 2019, the show through which the country will decide its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Out of 170 entries, 16 made it to the DORA 2019 edition which will take place one February 16.

The chosen ones have been shortlisted by an appointed jury committee, which consists of music experts, singers experienced in Eurovision, representatives of the Croatian Music Union (HGU), and the Croatian Society of Composers (HDS). Both the public and the expert jury will have their say on the competition’s outcome.

For the first time since 2010, the HRT is bringing its absolute brand back to the small screen in its most popular, competitive format. Again we will decide all together who will represent us at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. By listening to our viewers, as well as songwriters and performers, we hope to continue a good music story and also enhance it with new ideas.

Croatia’s national selection show for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Israel will be held on Saturday, 16 February 2019, at the Marino Cvetković Sports Hall in Opatija.

Sixteen new songs that passed the HRT competition will be presented to the viewers, audience and jury members. The winner will be chosen by the audience and the jury in a 50/50 ratio. In case of a tie, the vote of the audience will be decisive.

In line with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, all the song’s vocals will be performed live and accompanied by a backing track. Each performance may consist of a maximum of six people on stage.

The Dora 2019 competition was open till January 10th 2019.

After the winner is announced, the Dora statue will be awarded to the winning team of the chosen song and the song that will be Croatia’s Eurovision entry will be performed again.

THE PARTICIPANTS
All I Really Want (E. Lovrić – E. Lovrić – E. Lovrić/O.Dešić) – Elis Lovrić
Amorero Brutalero (B. Mihaljević – M. Mihaljević – B. Mihaljević) – Luka Nižetić
Back To The Swing (T. Hrelec – T. Hrelec – T. Hrelec) – Gelato Sisters
Brod Bez Imena (E. Botrić/M. Šimac – M. Šimac – E. Botrić) – 4 Tenora
Don’t Give Up (P. Martinjak – P. Martinjak/M. Johansson – P. Martinjak) – Beta Sudar
I Believe In True Love (D. Rapotec Ute – T. Bon/B. Brunović – D. Rapotec Ute) – Bernarda Bruno
Indigo (T. Huljić – V. Huljić – L. Škaro/T. Huljić) – Domenika
In The Shadows (M. Matijević Sekul/M. Kolarić/B. Kolarić – M.Kolarić/M. Matijević Sekul/B. Kolarić – M. Matijević Sekul) – Manntra
Ne Postojim Kad Nisi Tu (M.D. Rus – M.D. Rus – M.D. Rus/M. Blum) – Jure Brkljača
Redemption (A. Björkman/A. Pupavac/K. Persson/E. Gagro – A. Pupavac – A. Björkman/A. Pupavac/K. Persson/E. Gagro) – Ema Gagro
Tebi Pripadam (I. Ivanović/M. Vojvodić – I. Ivanović/M. Vojvodić – I. Ivanović/M. Vojvodić) – Lea Mijatović
Tek Je Počelo (D. Dumančić – Fayo – B. Đurđević) – Lidija Bačić Lille
Tell Me (J. Bosančić – J. Bosančić – J. Bosančić/A. Devčić/H. Domazet) – Jelena Bosančić
Tower Of Babylon (T. Huljić – V. Huljić/I. Huljić –L. Škaro/T. Huljić) – Lorena Bućan
The Dream (J. Houdek – J. Houdek/C. Mason/A. Čubrić – I. Škunca/F. Gjud) – Roko Blažević
Vrijeme Predaje (A.T. Eterović – L. Čeči Baksa – A.T. Eterović) – Bojan Jambrošić I Danijela Pintarić

BACK UP ENTRIES
Don’t Say You Love Me (S.S. Skansi – S.S. Skansi/A. Šerić – S.S. Skansi) – Tonka
Nisam To Što Žele (K. Verson – K. Verson – S. Pasarić) – Kim Verson

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🇵🇱 Polish singers raise their voices against hatred!

EUROWIZJA.ORG REPORTS / POLAND – Eurovision artists from Poland are willing to fight against hatred, aggression in Poland. After sad events that happened last weekend in Gdańsk, music should unite as all.

”Poland is far from heaven” – somebody wrote this sentence on the wall in Gdansk, one of the biggest cities in Poland. Last Sunday, during the biggest charity live event – The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (in polish – WOŚP), the major of city Gdańsk – Paweł Adamowicz, was brutally stabbed, while spreading words about helping each other and being united at this very moment.

Unfortunately, the day after we have heard the worst news. Later that day – the head and founder of WOŚP – Jerzy Owsiak – stated that he is no longer able to handle this situation, and after this sad events, he would like to give up running biggest charity foundation.

It was the 27th edition of WOŚP – which aims to gather money every year, to support health care in Poland by purchasing of state of the art medical equipment for Polish hospitals and clinics and by establishing and running six medical programmes and one educational programme.

During this event – in every city – one could see shows, and concerts of biggest polish singers, musicians and performers. Resignation of Jerzy Owsiak will bring uncertain future of event and fundraising idea – which helps millions of children every year.

After this sad news many opinions started to show up in media, internet and press. Lot of polish famous people get inspired to fight against hate and violence. One of this people is Doda – famous polish singer, composer and songwriter. On Tuesday evening big poster showed up on her Instagram account – saying „ Artist against hatred – collaborative concert of polish artists” Doda wrote:

”Let’s do something together, for ourselves. Let every artist come out and tell their story about hatred and violence in the internet. I think we can help young people – our fans. We should gather together, unite and make peace – in contrary to politics and gossips. We should face that and do it all together.”

She also asked her fans to tag other artist, to spread the words using hashtag #artistagainsthate (#artysciprzeciwnienawisci) In few moments many artist started replaying to inspirational words of Doda, including many polish musicians, actors, celebrities and Eurovision artists as:

Gromee (2018), Magdalena Tul (2011) Michał Szpak (2016), Kasia Moś (2017), Roksana Węgiel (JESC 2018) Cleo (2014), Saszan (NF 2018), Afromental (NF 2008), Natalia Szroeder (NF 2016), Rafał Brzozowski (NF 2017), Ifi Ude (NF 2018), Lanberry (NF 2017), Margaret (NF 2016; Melfest 2018 & 2019), Mateusz Szymkowiak (TVP reporter), Kasia Cerekwicka (NF 2006), Iwona Węgrowska (NF 2010), Marta Bijan, Myslovitz, Dawid Podsiadło, Irena Santor, Katarzyna Nosowska, Sound’n’Grace, Rafał Szatan, BAJM, ENEJ (list updated)

Many polish ESC artist also express their opinions and started sharing the hashtag through social media and confirming participation in a special concert and asking Jerzy Owsiak – founder of WOŚP to come back.

Cleo also wrote a song especially for that event, and shared it on her instagram:

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#STOPNIENAWIŚCI Mogłabym napisać tysiące słów ale wczoraj zamknęłam się w studio i po prostu przelałam to co we mnie siedzi nagrywając kawałek. "KŁY" to o nas…o ludziach. Nienawiść i wrogość zabija ciało i duszę, nienawiść nas zgubi, rozszarpiemy się nawzajem 🖤 #STOPNIENAWIŚCI #artyściprzeciwnienawiści 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! "KŁY" Ile w nas jest kłów?! Jadu! pełne gęby, nienawiści słów Gwóźdź wbijasz setny W lustrze nie ty Diabeł mówi, że nie ty Gniew znów hejtem nęci Krew gotuje w bestii Zniszczy nas wrogość bez dna To stan w którym pies zjada psa Ze strachu nam rosną pazury i kły Samotni jesteśmy rodzimy się z tym A gdyby zostało na Ziemi nas stu I tak byśmy rwali swe gardła na pół…

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France 2019 🇫🇷 Destination Eurovision’s second semi final international jury announced

FRANCE – Destination Eurovision 2019 is the national final organised by France 2 to select France’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. The competition will consist of three live shows, aired in January 2019 on France 2, which will be hosted by French-Canadian singer Garou. TV5 Québec Canada will air the shows in Canada on a time delay as will TV5Monde internationally. All shows will take place at the Studio de France – Bât 210 in Saint-Denis.

The format of the competition will consist of three live shows: two semi-finals, and a final. The two semi-finals will feature nine entries each, from which four are selected to advance to the final from each show.

Results in the semi-finals will be determined by public televoting (50%) and a five-members international jury panel (50%). Results in the final will be determined by public televoting (50%) and a ten-members international jury panel (50%). An international jury member is set to vote in only semifinals. Therefore, twenty juries will be involved in the voting this year.

Like the previous edition, the show will feature a three-members Francophone jury panel to provide feedback. They will no longer have a say in the results of the contest.[3] The Francophone jury panel will consist of :

Christophe Willem – Singer, returning as a judge for the second consecutive year
André Manoukian – Jazz singer and former judge on Nouvelle Star, commentator of the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals in 2018 alongside Willem
Vitaa – Singer, French female artist with the most radio airplay in 2018, Destination Eurovision 2018 participant as a songwriter

In Destination Eurovision 2019, both semi finals will have a 5-member international jury who will vote for their favourite songs and in the final, there will be a 10-member international jury, also voting for their favourites. Their votes will account for 50% of the overall score, the other 50% coming from televoting.

Second semi final’s international jury members are:

Christer Björkman – Melodifestivalen and Eurovision producer. Swedish
Zoe Straub – Austrian representative in Eurovision 2016
Mikolas Josef – Czech representative in Eurovision 2018
Natia Mshvenierazde – Head of Georgian delegation
Anushik Ter-Ghukasyan – Head of Armenian delegation

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San Marino 2019 🇸🇲 is Inis Nezeri the surprise 2019 entry?

SAN MARINO – With the much awaited announcement of San Marino Television on Monday and the claims from Rodrigo Alves to be the representative, another name is much more likely to be the 2019 representative of the mini-state: Inis Neziri from Albania!

On Tuesday both head of delegation Alessandro Capicchioni and this years Head of Press Ersin Parlak travelled to Tirana and met with Inis Neziri. The only plausible reason is that they are finalising the last details for Monday’s announcement as we cannot imagine they would just travel to Tirana for a small city-trip in this time of the year.

Inis Neziri took part in the 2018 National Final of Albania and recently won the Grand Trophee at the Golden Stag in Romania supported by the San Marino Delegation.

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San Marino: Inis Nezeri the surprise 2019 Entry? With the much awaited announcement of San Marino Television on Monday and the claims from Rodrigo Alves to be the representative, another name is much more likely to be the 2019 representative of the mini-state: Inis Neziri from Albania! On Tuesday both head of delegation Alessandro Capicchioni and this years Head of Press Ersin Parlak travelled to Tirana and met with Inis Neziri. The only plausible reason is that they are finalising the last details for Monday's announcement as we cannot imagine they would just travel to Tirana for a small city-trip in this time of the year. Inis Neziri took part in the 2018 National Final of Albania and recently won the Grand Trophee at the Golden Stag in Romania supported by the San Marino Delegation. @eurovision @oikotimes #oikotimes #eurovision

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