Twelve participants gave it their all in Kiev tonight, but only one could claim the title!
After a nailbiter of a vote, incorporating national juries, public televotes, and an extra jury made up of kids (including a number of former JESC participants), the 2013 Junior Eurovision Champion is 11-year-old Gaia Cauchi from Malta with “The Start”, bringing a first Eurovision (either Adult or Junior) win home to the island. The champagne must be popping in Valletta tonight!
“The Start” marks the first all-English language song to win in JESC history (and the first in the contest since 2009). This also marks only the second mid-to-low-tempo entry to claim the victory, following last year’s “Nebo”.
This year, awards were also presented to the second- and third-place finishers. Rounding out this year’s medal podium are Ukraine’s Sofia Tarasova with the silver (the highest-placed home entry in JESC history) and Ilya Volkov from Belarus with the Bronze.
There are more facts, figures, and punditry to come, but for now, let’s just sit back and tip our hats to the little pride of Malta, Gaia!