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🇬🇷 Road to Malmö: Greece

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Greece. Marina Satti Marina Satti, a dynamic Greek singer with a rich multicultural background, was born in Athens to a Sudanese father and a Greek mother from Heraklion, Crete. Although Athens was her birthplace, Marina was raised in Heraklion and spent her childhood summers in Sudan, immersing herself in a blend of cultures from an early age. Her passion for music began early, starting with classical piano before expanding to vocal training in high school. Despite initially pursuing architecture, Marina’s heart belonged to music. Her dedication led her to achieve degrees in lyrical monody and advanced classical studies, and she even explored jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. Marina’s career is as diverse as her background. She performed with the European Jazz Orchestra, collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, and founded Fonés, an all-female a cappella group, delving into traditional polyphonic songs. Her singles, like “Koupes” and “Mantissa,” have gained international acclaim, with millions of views and recognition in top music charts. In 2017, she initiated cultural events leading to the creation of the choir Chόres, blending traditional songs with archaeological settings. Her debut album “YENNA” led to a successful European tour, and in 2023, Marina was chosen to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Greek artists with another background Since 2020, all the Greek artists have roots or a background in another country. Stefania (2020 and 2021) has Greek parents, but is born and raced in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Amanda Tenfjord (2022) had a Norwegian mother and a Greek father. And last year, Viktor Vernicos represented Greece: he had a Danish father and a Greek mother. And as you could read above, Marina Satti has a Sudanese father and a Greek mother. Victor Vernicos, EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest The very first Greek entry was “Krassi, thalassa ke t’agori mou” in 1974, sung by the famous Marinella. She only reached an 11th place. It was the group Pascalis, Marianna, Robert & Bessy who managed to reach the top-5 with “Mathéma solfege”. It took a long time before that record was broken. Greek-Swedish duo Antique did the job in 2001 with the song “Die for you”: they became 3rd. Helena Paparizou of Antique finally managed to win the contest in 2005 with “My number one”.Greek entries often do well in the contest. Last year however, Greece didn’t make it to the final. There are high hopes for Marina Satti to do better. Helena Paparizou The Bookmakers Greece currently is 4th to reach the final, and 8th to win the overall contest. Can we safely say that Greece is likely to do well in the contest this year. I guess so!

🇦🇱 Road to Malmö: Albania

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Albania. Besa Besa Kokëdhima, known as Besa, is a famous singer from Albania. She was born on May 29, 1986, in Fier, Albania. When she was 15, she moved to the UK to study. Her music career started in 2003 with her first song, “Më Beso,” which won an award. She released her first album in 2006 with songs made with famous Albanian musicians. Besa has done really well in music contests. She won an R&B award for her song “Lëshoje Hapin.” She tried to get into Eurovision with “Nothin’ Gonna Change” and won an award for Best Female Singer in 2010 with “Kalorësi i Natës.” She’s also known for songs like “Fishekzjarre” and “Burning.” Besides singing, Besa judged on The Voice of Albania and released albums that got great reviews. In 2022, she sang “En Equilibre” in French. Recently, she was chosen to represent Albania in Eurovision 2024 with “Zemrën n’dorë” after winning the televote. Festivali i Këngës Festivali i Këngës is a prestigious music competition held annually in Albania, beginning in 1962. It’s famous for showcasing new talents and original songs across various genres, becoming a cornerstone of Albanian culture. Over the years, it has evolved but always remains true to celebrating Albanian music and creativity. This festival also serves as Albania’s method for selecting its Eurovision Song Contest entry since 2004, adding an international dimension to its significance. Winners gain not only national fame but also the chance to represent Albania on the Eurovision stage, making it a highly anticipated event in the country’s musical calendar. Since last year, a jury decides the winner, televote decides who will represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest. Besa won the televote this year with the song “Zemrën n’dorë”, which is now translated into English, titled “Titan”. Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest The first ever Albanian eurovision song was “The image of you” by Anjeza Shahini in 2004. “Titan” will be the 20th Albanian Eurovision song. Over the years, Albania has reached the Grand Final in many occasions. However, only one time the Albanians managed to reach the top-5: that was in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and her song “Suus”; she reached the 5th place. The Bookmakers Currently, Albania is 32nd in the betting odds to win the contest. However, the experience is that Albania reaches the final quite easily, so there is serious hope for Besa. The song And this is the song:

🇲🇹 Road to Malmö: Malta

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Malta. Sarah Bonnici Sarah Bonnici is a singer from Malta, born in Gozo on May 30, 1998. Her dad, Marcel Bonnici, is a big deal, being the CEO of Mercury Towers and a football club. Sarah is super smart too, with a master’s in accountancy. When she was younger, Miriam Christine taught her about music. In 2009, she did really well in a song contest in Malta, getting third place. The next year, she won a singing festival with a song Miriam Christine wrote and was even named the best singer there. She also danced in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that year. As a teenager, Sarah sang in song contests all over, like in Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary. She even won a festival in Romania with her song. In 2018, she was on X Factor Malta and kept making music. In 2022, she sang “Heaven” in another big Malta song contest. Then, in 2023, she sang “Loop” and won, making her Malta’s choice for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024. Malta Eurovision Song Contest The national preselection in Malta is called Malta Eurovision Song Contest. This year, four semifinals were held with 9 songs each. Kurt Calleja (eurovision 2012) was one of the participants, but didn’t make it to the final. Twelve other songs did. Sarah Bonnici’s “Loop” was the clear favourite of the jury, while the televoter prefered Matt Blxck’s “Banana”. However, it was not enough for “Banana” to win the contest. Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest The first ever Maltese entry came in 1971. Joe Grech sang in Maltese “Marija L-Maltija” end ended up at the bottom of the scoreboard. After participation in 1972 and 1975, Malta quit. They returned in 1991 to never quit again. “Loop” will be the 36th Maltese Eurovision song. Malta never won the contest, but in 2002 (Ira Losco with “7th wonder”) and 2005 (Chiara with “Angel”) they were the runner up. The last few years it is quite hard for Malta to do well in the contest. Destiny did well with a 7th place in 2021, but last year The Busker didn’t make it to the final. Chiara The Bookmakers At this moment, Malta doesn’t do very well in the betting odds, with a 30th place to win the final. But staging and performance in Malmö might change all that as we all know. The song And this is the song:

🇱🇺 Road to Malmö: Luxembourg

photo: RTL We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Luxembourg. Tali Tali Golergant is a singer, songwriter, film actor, and musical theater performer from Israel, who now lives in Luxembourg. She’s becoming very popular in New York City’s music and art world. Tali loves music by Lizzy McAlpine, Sara Bareilles, and Lady Gaga. She mixes pop, indie, and R&B to make her own special sound. Her first song, made when she was just 16, got played over 70,000 times on Spotify. In 2021, she put out her first collection of songs called “lose you” with help from another artist, Francis of Delirium. After COVID-19, Tali started doing live shows in New York with her band. She’s performed at famous places like RockWood Music Hall and Mercury Lounge. People love her singing and her songs. Tali is also doing great in movies and theater. She acted in a short movie called “Agua” and played big roles in plays like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Les Miserables.” On January 27, 2024, Tali was picked to sing for Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Fighter.” She’s really talented in many ways and is getting noticed for her work in music and acting. Luxembourg Song Contest The Luxembourgish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest was called Luxembourg Song Contest. After a lot of auditions, eight artists took part in the Luxembourgish final. De show was hosted by, among others, Désirée Nosbusch. She’s a familiar face to the Eurovision crowd, as she hosted the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. Three artists, Joel Marques Luna, Krick and Tali, headed to a superfinal. Tali won as she was the choice of the jury. Krick won the televote but it was a close call, so Tali ended up with the highest amount of point in total. Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is a unique year for Luxembourg: they return to the contest after a long break. Their previous entry was in 1993. Luxembourg has often been a succesful country, with no less than five victories. Jean-Claude Pascal (1961, “Nous les amoureux”), France Gall (1965, “Poupée de cire, poupée de son”), Vicky Leandros (1972, “Après toi”), Anne Marie David (1973, “Tu te reconnaitras”) and Corinne Hermes (1983, “Si la vie est cadeau”) brought the trophy to Luxembourg. The Bookmakers In the odds, Luxembourg doesn’t do well with a 35th place. However, we don’t know yet what kind of show we can expect. Luxembourg can easily bring us a surprise in Malmö. The song And this is the song:

🇵🇹 Road to Malmö: Portugal

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Portugal. Iolanda Iolanda Costa, or just Iolanda, is a singer and songwriter from Portugal. She was born on November 4, 1994, in São Pedro, Figueira da Foz, but later moved to Pombal. That’s where she fell in love with music, thanks to her parents who helped her start learning music. She first studied at a local school and then at a conservatory. When she was 14, she tried out for a singing contest on TV but didn’t get far. She tried again on a different show when she was 17 but also didn’t make it to the big stages. After high school, Iolanda went to Lisbon for college, where she studied Communication Sciences. While there, she sang in bars and entered talent contests to get noticed. Later, she moved to London to learn more about songwriting. In 2014, she was on The Voice Portugal but didn’t get picked by the judges. Iolanda’s big break came in 2022 when she helped write a song for a festival. In 2023, she released her own music about her time during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2024, she won the national contest with her song “Grito,” meaning she’ll represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest. Festival RTP Da Canção Already since Portugal’s first participation in 1964, the song is selected via Festival RTP Da Canção. This year, there have been two semifinals with 10 songs each. Six songs per semifinal headed to the final. Jury and televoter did not agree. While the jury voted for Iolanda, the televoter prefered João Borsch. In the end, Iolanda gained the most votes. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest As said, Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964. Unfortunately, António Calvário ended up with zero points. Very often, Portugal submitted unique, typical Portuguese, entries. And very often, Portugal ended up at the bottom of the scoreboard. For many years, Portugal did not enter the top-5 of the contest. Everything changed in 2017, when Salvador Sobral represented Portugal. With the song “Amar pelos dos”, penned by his sister, Sobral brought the trophy back home to Portugal. Last year, it was Mimicat who represented Portugal and reached the final with her song “Ai coração”. Salvador Sobral, photo: EBU/Andres Putting The Bookmakers The betting odds currently predict a 34th place for Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, as soon as we know more about the staging and the live performance, that might completely change. The song And this is the song:

🇦🇺 Road to Malmö: Australia

photo: EBU/SBS We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Australia. Electric Fields Electric Fields is an Australian electronic music duo, composed of the talented vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboardist/producer Michael Ross. They incorporate Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and English into their music. Their musical journey includes the release of an EP, numerous singles, and their upcoming representation of Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with their song “One Milkali (One Blood).” The duo’s origins trace back to their solo appearances on The X Factor Australia, with Fielding competing in 2011 and Ross in 2013. They united as Electric Fields in 2015, debuting with the celebrated EP “Inma” in 2016, which was lauded for its emotional resonance and cultural richness. They’ve been recognized with several awards, including Best New Talent at the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards, and have gained prominence for their performances and collaborations, including a notable partnership with Norwegian group Keiino. Electric Fields stands out not only for their music but also for their personal stories and advocacy. Fielding, from Mimili in the APY lands, brings a rich Indigenous Australian heritage to their music and visual arts, earning significant accolades such as the Wynne Prize and Ramsay Art Prize People’s Choice prize in 2023. Ross contributes a diverse musical influence, enhancing their sound. Together, they embody a philosophy of authenticity and unity, breaking conventional boundaries and celebrating their queer identities. Their story, told in the documentary “Voice From The Desert,” highlights their journey and the transformative power of their music. Yankunytjatjara The Yankunytjatjara language is a proud testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Indigenous Australia, belonging to the Western Desert language group. Spoken by the Yankunytjatjara people, it thrives in the central desert region of Australia, particularly around Uluru and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Despite facing challenges from historical and modern pressures, efforts to revitalize and preserve Yankunytjatjara are robust, involving educational programs and community initiatives. Its linguistic structure, embodying the intricate relationship between the land and its people, offers invaluable insights into Indigenous knowledge, ecology, and spirituality. Yankunytjatjara not only facilitates communication but also serves as a living repository of ancestral wisdom and cultural identity. Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Australian performance in the Eurovision Song Contest was Jessica Mauboy’s guest performance in 2014. As a reward for years of broadcasting the contest, Australia was able to take part in the contest itself for the first time in 2015. Guy Sebastian debuted with “Tonight again” and reached a 5th place. A year later, Dami Im was 2nd in the contest with her song “Sound of silence”. With three more top-10 positions, up until last year with Voyager, Australia is quite a succesful country in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Bookmakers Australia is currently 27th in the betting odds to win the contest. However, fans expect a special performance during the contest itself, which might completely change the odds for Electric Fields. The song This is the song:

🇦🇿 Road to Malmö: Azerbaijan

photo: EBU We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Azerbaijan. Fahree Fahree, an emerging Azerbaijani musician, was born into a culturally rich family in Baku, 1995. With a jazz drummer father and an esteemed actor grandfather, the arts were deeply ingrained in his upbringing. Despite a diligent academic pursuit resulting in law degrees, the 2020 pandemic rekindled his inherent musical inclination. Forsaking law for his true calling, Fahree launched his music career with the 2022 hit “Dance.” Further success came with “Apardı uzağlara,” a collaboration with Mila Miles. His track “Yollar” solidified his rising fame in February 2023. Come March 2024, Fahree’s artistic journey ascended as he was chosen to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest. Ilkin Dovlatov Ilkin Dovlatov, a distinguished Azerbaijani mugham vocalist, was born into a musical family on June 16, 1990, in Baku. His talent emerged early with a debut performance at age four. Recognized by his school music teacher, Dovlatov pursued his musical aspirations, leading to his acclaim as the runner-up on The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2023, guided by mentor Ilqar Khayal. He further showcased his abilities in the Azəri Star contest. In October 2023, he joined the final contenders for Azerbaijan’s Eurovision entry, eventually teaming up with Fahree to perform “Özünlə apar” on the Eurovision stage, representing their cultural heritage with pride. Mugham Mugham is an intricate form of traditional Azerbaijani music, renowned for its rich improvisational character. It intertwines passionate singing with the complex modal structure of the “mugham” modes, often accompanied by the tar (a long-necked lute), the kamancheh (a bowed string instrument), and the daf (a type of frame drum). Rooted in the cultural intersections of the Silk Road, mugham is more than music; it’s a spiritual journey that narrates stories of love, loss, and the divine through its deeply emotional and philosophical performances. This UNESCO-recognized art form is a cornerstone of Azerbaijani culture, reflecting the nation’s soul and historic ethos. It is the third time (after 2008 and 2012) that a mugham singer can be heard at Eurovision. Seyid Sushinski Ansambl, Mugham, photo: Wikimedia Commons Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest Elnur & Samir represented Azerbaijan in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Day after day”. It meant the debut of the country in the contest. With an 8th place, it was an immediate succes. So far the first and only victory came already in 2011, when Ell & Nikki won the contest with “Running scared”. But let’s not forget AySel & Arash (3rd in 2009), Safura (5th in 2010), Sabina Babayeva (5th in 2012) and Farid Mammadov (2nd in 2013). Last year, the twins TuralTuranX didn’t make it to the final. Ell & Nikki The Bookmakers Currently, Azerbaijan has a 30th place in the odds to win the contest. If we look at that, it might be a tough job for Azerbaijan to reach the final. However, stage performance and act might lift the country up in the ranking. The song And this is the song:

🇸🇪 Road to Malmö: Sweden

photo: PhotoAnnaR, Wikimedia Commons We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Sweden. Marcus & Martinus Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen, the Norwegian identical twins behind the dance-pop duo M&M, have been captivating audiences since their 2012 debut. Hailing from Elverum, Norway, they were born on February 21, 2002, and swiftly rose to fame after winning Melodi Grand Prix Junior with “To dråper vann.” Their first album, “Hei,” and its hit singles, including “Elektrisk,” dominated the Norwegian charts. By 2016, the twins had expanded their reach, collaborating with Madcon on “Girls,” securing chart-topping success in Norway and Sweden, and releasing “Together,” their English-language album. They shone at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and continued to release chartbusters like “Like It Like It” and “First Kiss.” Their creative momentum continued with the album “Moments,” and singles like “Invited.” After a stint of new music, including “Belinda” with Alex Rose and “Feel” with Bruno Martini, they won Sweden’s “Masked Singer” in 2022. In 2023, they nearly captured Melodifestivalen with “Air,” and in 2024, they triumphed, earning the honor to represent Sweden at Eurovision with “Unforgettable,” marking a new pinnacle in their vibrant career. Melodifestivalen Already in the sixties, the name of the Swedish national final was Melodifestivalen. The past over 20 years, it has been a national final with 4 or 5 semifinals. It has become the most popular national final all over Europe. But who remembers Abba, not winning it in 1973 with “Ring Ring”, but winning it a year later with “Waterloo”? The rest is history. This year, many stars from Sweden took part in it, as every year. However, none of them participated in the Eurovision Song Contest before. Jury and televoter agreed with eachother: Marcus and Martinus were the winners for both. Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Swedish entry came in 1958, but it all really started exactly 50 years ago. In 1974, ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo”, and changed Eurovision completely… forever! Ten years later, Herrey’s won with “Diggy-loo, diggy-ley”. Carola was the one who did the job in 1991 with “Fångad av en stormvind”. But since 1999, the chain of victories never ended: Charlotte Nilsson with “Take me to your heaven” in 1999, Loreen with “Euphoria” in 2012, Måns Zelmerlöw with “Heroes” in 2015 and Loreen again last year, with “Tattoo”. Sweden is one of two countries holding the record of most victories. photo: EBU/Chloe Hashemi The Bookmakers An 8th victory for Sweden is not likely. Currently, Marcus and Martinus hold the 10th place to win in the betting odds. What will really happen…. we’ll see! The song And this is the song:

🇲🇩 Road to Malmö: Moldova

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Moldova. Natalia Barbu Natalia Barbu, born on August 22, 1979, in Bălți, then part of the Moldavian SSR, USSR, has firmly established herself as a versatile artist in the Moldovan music scene. Daughter of esteemed musician Ana Barbu, Natalia has blended rock and pop genres with her heritage of folk and stage music. Her early collaborations with Trigon on jazz-folk projects set a creative foundation, which evolved as she penned the lyrics for most of her songs. A pivotal moment came in 2006 with a contract from Cat Music Records (Sony Music) in Romania, marking her entry into a wider European market. Her single “Îngerul meu” soared to No. 1 in the Romanian Top 100, cementing her popularity. In 2007, her Eurovision entry “Fight” achieved a commendable 10th place finish. Embracing change, her 2012 single “I Said It’s Sad” showcased a major style evolution, topping Moldova’s Airplay charts. Esquire’s “sexiest woman alive” title in 2015 further celebrated her appeal. Returning to Eurovision in 2024 with “In the Middle,” Natalia Barbu continues to be a prominent figure in Moldova’s cultural tapestry. Etapa națională The national final in Moldova is called Etapa națională. Usually, the contest starts with an audition round, broadcast live on Moldovan television. 32 songs were submitted this year. However, two (a.o. Aliona Moon) withdrew before the contest and one was disqualified. Eleven songs headed to the final, which was won by Natalia Barbu. It was not an easy match: Natalia received the most votes of the jury, while Valeria Pasha won the televote. The rule in Etapa națională is that, in case of a tie, the jury winner goes to Eurovision. Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Moldovan entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was “Boonika bate doba” by Zdob şi Zdub in 2005. It was the first of 3 entries by this band in total, and reached a 6th place. The best scoring entry so far for the country was “Hey mamma” by Sunstroke Project in 2017. They were 3rd. Also Sunstroke Project took part before, in 2010. With “Run away” they became famous: the sax player and his solo became the ‘epic sax guy’. The Bookmakers Currently the betting odds for Moldova are not too positive: a 36th place for Natalia Barbu. But we all know that everything still can change until the very moment of the voting. The song And this is the song:

🇫🇮 Road to Malmö: Finland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Finland. Windows95man Teemu Keisteri, born in 1985 in Espoo, Finland, has emerged as a prominent figure in the visual arts scene, celebrated for his creation of the Ukkeli character in 2008. This iconic figure, a testament to Keisteri’s whimsical and culturally insightful style, adorns apparel, postcards, and tableware, capturing the essence of Finnish life with humor and personality. Known also as the Windows 95 man during his DJ performances, Keisteri’s diverse talents span across visual and video arts. Educated in photography at the Lahti Institute of Design, he discovered his passion lay with visual arts, leading him to establish Kalleria in Helsinki’s vibrant Kallio area, further solidifying his status as a dynamic artist and DJ. Henri Piispanen Henri Piispanen, born in 1994, is a multifaceted Finnish talent, acclaimed as a voice actor, singer, and presenter. Noteworthy for voicing characters in “PAW Patrol,” “Lego Ninjago,” and more, Piispanen’s diverse skills shine through his roles and as the lead vocalist and bassist for Pasa. His collaboration with Teemu Keisteri as Windows95man won the 2024 UMK, highlighting his dynamic presence in Finnish entertainment. Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) In the past, the national final for Finland was called Euroviisut. Since 2012, we have Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK). The last few years, it’s a contest with 7 contestants. The winner is chosen by jury and televote. This year, Sara Siipola was the hot favourite to win the contest. She won the jury vote with a landslide. However, televote overruled them; windows95man gained 32,35% of the televote. Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest The first ever Finnish contestant for the Eurovision Song Contest was Laila Kinunen, back in 1961. A long road with bad scores and even 3 zeros followed; in 2006 the monsters of Lordi broke the spell and brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Helsinki with “Hard Rock Hallelujah”. Käärijä almost did it again last year. With his “Cha cha cha” he won the televote and became 2nd overall. The Bookmakers Finland is currently no. 14 in the betting odds to win the contest. Looks like it is likely that Finland will reach the final; it is also likely that a score like last year is a bridge too far for the country of the thousand lakes. And this is the song: