San Marino have today confirmed that Turkish born singer, Serhat, will represent them at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden in May. He was chosen internally by the broadcaster SMRTV.
Serhat has had success in the UK and German dance charts with his song Je M’adore and also had a hit in some European countries with Total Disguise, which was a duet with Viktor Lazlo (the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest presenter).
The song will be announced in February or March.
You can see Serhat’s video for his hit Je M’adore below.
Eneda Tarifa has been chosen to represent Albania at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. She won the 54th Festivali i Këngës in Tirana with her song Përrallë (Fairytale). The song was composed by Olsa Toqi.
There were two semi-finals and 22 songs participated in the final. The voting was by an expert jury that included the 2008 Albanian Eurovision representative, Olta Boka.
The 22 acts and songs competing were –
Sigi Bastri – Engjëll i lirë
Rezarta Smaja & Klodian Kaçani – Dashuri në përjetësi
Dilan Reka – Buzëqesh
Adrian Lulgjuraj – Jeto dhe ëndërro
Erga Halilaj – Monolog
Evans Rama – Flakë
Jozefina Simoni – Një det me ty
Egert Pano – Mos ik
Genc Tukiçi – Sa të dashuroj
Kozma Dushi – Një kafe
Luiz Ejlli – Pa mbarim
Teuta Kurti – Në sytë e mi
Besa Krasniqi – Liroje zemrën
Nilsa Hysi – Asaj
Kristi Popa – Ajo çfarë ndjej
Flaka Krelani – S’je për mu
Enxhi Nasufi – Infinit
Lindi Islami – Për një mrekulli
Florent Abrashi – Të ndjek çdo hap
Eneda Tarifa – Përrallë
Renis Gjoka – Ato që s’ti them dot
Aslajdon Zaimaj – Merrmë që sot
You can see Eneda performing her winning song below.
Hungary has confirmed the 30 acts participating in the 2016 edition of the national selection for Eurovision – A Dal.
André Vásáry – Why
Anna Patai – Colors
B The First – You Told Me You Loved Me
Bálint Gájer – Speed Bump
Benji – Köteltánc
ByTheWay – Free To Fly
C.E.T. – Free
Egy Másik Zenekar – Kéne közös kép
Fatima Mohamed – Ott leszek
Freddi – Pioneer
Gergő Oláh – Győz a jó
Group’n’Swing – Szeretni fáj
Ív – Love Kills Me
Jázmin Török – Power Of Love
Júlia Horányi – Come Along
Kállay Saunders Band – Who We Are
Karmapolis & Böbe Szécsi – Hold On To
Laci Gáspár – Love And Bass
Maszkura és a Tücsökraj – Kinek sírjam
Misztrál – Reggeli Reggae
Mushu – Uncle Tom
Nika – Beautiful Love
Odett – Stardust
Olivér Berkes – Seven Seas
Parno Graszt – Már nem szédülök
Passed – Driftin’
Petra Veres-Kovács – Singing Peace
Petruska – Trouble In My Mind
Reni Tolvai – Fire
Szilvia Agárdi – It Is Love
The final will be on 27 February with three quarter finals and two semi-finals preceding. Some previous national final acts are taking part again including the group Passed and the 2014 Hungarian representative Kállay Saunders.
Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitas {copyright: GPB}
For 2016 the broadcaster, GPB, has decided to select their act internally for Georgia. The performers will be Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitas. They are known for their indie style music.
An open contest for songwriters to submit songs will determine the selection. GPB advise the song should be adapted for the style of the musicians – “melodic song structure of alternative and indie rock with electronic beats, synths and/or samples, and club orientation of post-disco dance music.”
Viktoria Petryk represented Ukraine at the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with her song Matrosy (Sailors) where she finished in second place. Viktoria was also a runner up in the 2014 Ukrainian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with Love Is Lord.
Now Viktoria is hoping for more success by trying to represent Ukraine at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with her brand new song Overload composed by the Swedish duo Ylva and Linda Persson who produced the track with William Taylor. Viktoria will participate in the Ukrainian audition round in Odessa on 12 December.
Viktoria’s sister Anastasiya Petryk won the 2012 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with Nebo.
Germany have internally selected Xavier Naidoo to represent them at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. There will be a national final on 18 February where Xavier will perform six songs. Songwriters and producers have been invited to prepare their submissions now.
Xavier is an established soul and r’n’b performer in Germany. He has had many hits in his home country including the number one song Ich kenne nichts (das so schön ist wie du) in 2003. You can see the official video for that song below.
After what was supposed to be ‘one-off’ appearance to celebrate the 60th Eurovision Song Contest, Australia are back again for 2016. The local broadcaster, SBS, will once again contribute a song for the contest. The only difference on this occasion is that Australia will have to perform in the semi-finals.
The Executive Supervisor of the EBU, Jon Ola Sand, stated “The feedback we got from viewers, fans, press and the broadcasters after Australia’s participation in Vienna was overwhelmingly positive. We strongly believe the Eurovision Song Contest has the potential to evolve organically into a truly global event. Australia’s continued participation is an exciting step in that direction. It remains to be seen what such an event may look like in the long run.”
So, does Mr Sand’s words mean the door may be open in the future to other countries outside of Europe. Is it possible we could see South Africa or China or Canada or New Zealand or maybe South Korea (K-Pop could go really well at Eurovision)….the list can go on. Who would you like to see? Do you think it is a good idea?
Australia will also participate at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on 21 November. Bella Paige will fly the Australian flag with her song My Girls.
The Public Television of Armenia has chosen Iveta Mukuchyan to represent them in Stockholm, Sweden at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. Iveta was internally selected to sing for Armenia.
Iveta was born in Yerevan but moved to Germany as a child. She took part in The Voice of Germany in 2012 and even performed the winning song of Sweden at Eurovision that year on the show, Euphoria, by Loreen.
Iveta has just released her latest single and video entitled Simple Like A Flower. She wrote the music and lyrics herself. You can see the video for the song below.
The Public TV of Armenia has invited composers to submit songs in an open competition by email by 13 November to selection@armtv.com.
