Junior Eurovision is on the rise and is starting to gain fans again. ESC Insight’s Ben Robertson is on hand to countback through his top JESC moments. What sections of Junior Eurovision history do you need to check back on?
Molly’s Big Note
Sweden and Junior Eurovision has only ever been about one person. All three Sanden sisters have been in the contest but Molly is far and away the only one who can claim to be a household name with Swedish families. If any of the singers can match this on Saturday night they could also have the same success. Molly’s birth on the Junior Eurovision scene in 2006 was with her self-penned power-ballad ‘Det Finaste Någon Kan Få’ which took Sweden to their highest placing in Junior Eurovision history. The massive note Molly hits before the final chorus knocks the song into turbo-drive for the final minute and with that note alone a star was born.
Nailbiting Voting
By nature of having fewer countries in Junior Eurovision, often the voting gets very exciting. 7 of the first 11 contests were decided by a score less than 12 points. Two of the contests have even been chosen by just a margin of one point, with exciting voting notably missing from recent editions of the Eurovision Song Contest in May. In 2009 and 2010 Macedonia was the country voting last. On both occasions the country that was top only got one point from Macedonia and was pipped in the final few votes. Even with fancy algorithms we don’t get this in the adult contest any more. Will The Netherlands be decisive when they vote last on Saturday night?
Singing Second Means Something
The kids know that running order matters: the groans and cheers from the opening draw were audible, if at a lower level than we would hear at in a Press Conference during May. However in the very first Junior Eurovision the curse of the running order was shattered. Dino Jelusic sang in position number two in the running order representing Croatia. His hit Ti Si Moja Prva Ljubav reached the top spot with only one country, ironically second placed Spain, giving his song less than eight points
The Creation Of A Global Hit
On the second edition of Junior Eurovision from Lillehammer, Spain were able to go up that one place to take victory. ‘Antes Muerta Que Sencilla’ is probably the biggest global hit to come from the Junior Eurovision stage. The song was able to cross over from Europe (where 5 weeks were had in the French charts) to the Latin America scene, and a cover version by Los Horoscopos de Durango is approaching one million hits on YouTube.
Kids Being Genuine Kids
Junior Eurovision is a more relaxed, more informal and more honest version of events. Our artists come without the trappings and pressures that fall upon the adult artists and the increased cautiousness many therefore have. At Junior kids are honest. They are happy to reveal their favourite songs and they have no fear. Just now in the Press Centre little Krisia singing for Bulgaria comes up to our desk and asks to meet Terry Vision. It is adorable because they are being genuine, and want to be nice and take in every single part of the experience. It’s not all about how many points are on the Saturday night scoreboard. My favourite example of this is from this year. Wiwibloggs were at the Opening Ceremony and met Swedish singer Julia. Julia’s innocence talking about Melodifestivalen is lovely and shows the care-free attitude that makes Eurovision special.
Breaking Boundaries
Eurovision and the word politics often end up falling into each other’s hands by accident. Those kids at Junior Eurovision don’t know the meaning of the word. They make friends with whoever, sing with whoever and dance with whoever. It echoes around each room over the first few days as each act says they want to make friends with everybody. No greater symbol of this has been witnessed than the Armenian and Azeri acts getting it on in a dance-off after the show in Kiev after Junior Eurovision 2013. Kids are making friends and we adults need to be reminded that we people are more the same than different, just like the kids do.
JESC 2013 Dance-off Azerbaijan Armenia
Sending That Passion To Far-Flung Places
In 2007, four entrants to Junior Eurovision were followed by a documentary crew, from the selection process to the final show. The resulting ‘heartwarming and humorous’ Sounds Like Teen Spirit was well received by Eurovision fans and the general public alike, winning awards in international film festivals, and spreading the Junior love across to new places.
Children On Stage, Children Deciding The Winner
Each country will vote in Junior Eurovision with a jury and a televote. However before all of that happens a select Kids Jury will be used to give out their points as well, with the combined points of one member from each country. Many of these kids are former Junior Eurovision entrants or performers and arguably are more qualified that those that sit on Eurovision juries in May. Online voting for a special award is another nod towards the younger demographic to get them involved as much as possible. We are here and we guide, but it is their contest.
Malta – The Real Eurovision Island
And finally the fact is that Junior Eurovision has given the first possible occasion for Malta to host the contest. We have a country here pushing their boundaries, producing the biggest TV event in their history and creating a feeling across the entire country of pride. The President popping into the Press Centre this week symbolises the effort this country is going towards, and the innovation that will lead Malta forward for the future. Saturday night is the culmination of many month’s hard work for one of Malta’s finest hours. You don’t want to miss this.
What more top moments do you have from Junior Eurovision history?