Eliana Goncharova was able to have a few words with Yana Churikova, the Intervision and former Eurovision commentator for Russia, at the Road Radio Music Awards 2025.

How do you plan to celebrate the New Year?

Of course with my family, because these are rare moments when we can all gather around one big table. Back in my youth, I was ready to celebrate New Year’s at a party or at work, so anywhere, but not at home. And now it’s important for me to spend it at home with my family. We turn on the TV, watch, discuss the outfits, talk about who is singing and how, how the Christmas trees are decorated, what’s happening on each TV channel.

Have you already prepared the gifts?

I’ve prepared some of them, because I don’t want to rush around at the last minute with wide-open eyes just because the delivery didn’t make it on time. You have to prepare in advance. I’m heading to host a concert right now, but at the same time I’m thinking: “Okay, I’m in St. Petersburg. Maybe I should buy something here for someone as well.”

Yana Churikova was Russia’s 2025 Intervision commentator and Russian commentator for the Eurovision in 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2018.

Thank you for ELIANA GONCHAROVA for the report for ESC Covers.