Blast from the past: Estonia 1993

We know a lot about Eurovision! That’s why we take you back with a blast from the past! Today: Estonia 1993!

Estonia’s first entry

It was the first of january 1993, when several Eastern European countries joined the EBU. Among them Estonia. Finally, this young country (independent again since 1991) was able to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. Estonian TV (ETV) invited Janika Sillamaa to do the job. Janika was seven years old when she started working in the Childrens Musical Theatre Colombina. She played the main roles in a children’s musical and a children’s opera. In 1992, she played the role of Mary Magdalene in the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”. The next step was the preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest.  On february 20, Janika presented eight new songs, one of them to be selected as the Estonian entry:

1.Lootus (135 pts., 4th)
2.Ma sule ütlen (129 pts., 6th)
3.Jää hetkeks (111 pts., 7th)
4.Unelaul (133 pts., 5th)
5.Muretut meelt ja südametuld (193 pts., 1st)
6.Laulumaa (100 pts., 8th)
7.Aeg on laul (140 pts., 3rd)
8.Tuhast tõuseb päev (180 pts., 2nd)

Eurovision

So “Muretut meelt ja südametuld” became the first Estonian entry. The song, which translates as “Sorrowless minds and flames of hearts” (the lyrics and translation can be found here), was one of the seven entries in “Kvalifikacija za Millstreet”, the Eastern European preselection for the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest. Janika Sillamaa traveled to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana to do the job. Three of the seven entries would make the step to the Eurovision stage in the Irish town of Millstreet. Unfortunately, Janika’s Estonian adventure ended in Ljubljana: she became 5th.

2nd try

Most of the songs from the national final can be found on Janika’s debut album “Lootus”. Janika Sillamaa did a second attempt to represent Estonia in 1998, with the song “Viime valge kuu”. The song became 4th. However, the composer of the song, Koit Toome, won the contest as a singer. She was succesful, not only as a singer, but especially for her roles in numerous musicals in Estonia.

Whatever she did after her tiny Eurovision adventure, Janika Sillamaa was the first Estonian representative. Even though she did never reach the Eurovision stage.

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Australia

Road to Vienna: Australia As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Australia Delta Goodrem: Australia’s Pop Icon  Delta Goodrem began her career as a child actress before transitioning into music. She appeared in TV shows like Neighbours, which boosted her national profile. At just 15, she signed a record deal, and her 2002 single “Born to Try” launched her music career.                                                                                                                               Her debut album Innocent Eyes (2003) became a massive success, spending 29 weeks at number one in Australia. It produced five number-one singles and established Goodrem as a leading pop artist, with international success in the UK. Personal Challenges and Continued Success In 2003, Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, temporarily pausing her career. She returned with Mistaken Identity (2004), followed by Delta (2007), proving her resilience and artistic growth. Hits like “In This Life” kept her at the top of the charts. Music, TV and Theatre Career Throughout the 2010s, Goodrem balanced music and television. She released albums like Child of the Universe (2012) and Wings of the Wild (2016), while also serving as a coach on The Voice Australia. She expanded into acting and theatre, including portraying Olivia Newton-John in a biopic and performing in Cats. Recent Projects and Achievements In the 2020s, Goodrem continued evolving with new music, including Bridge Over Troubled Dreams (2021). She launched ATLED Records and expanded her charity work through the Delta Goodrem Foundation. She also celebrated 20 years of Innocent Eyes with a major tour. Eclipse: A Love Written in the Stars “Eclipse” presents love as something cosmic rather than coincidental. The lyrics describe a powerful connection that feels destined, where two people are drawn together as if the universe aligned just for them. This theme of fate gives the romance a sense of inevitability and depth. Celestial Imagery and Emotional Pull The song uses strong celestial metaphors—stars, gravity, and alignment—to highlight magnetic attraction. Love is portrayed as unstoppable and guided by purpose, not fragile or uncertain. This imagery reinforces the idea of a bond that goes beyond ordinary relationships. When Time Stands Still A central moment in “Eclipse” is the feeling that time pauses when two lovers connect. The outside world fades, leaving only emotion and presence. This creates an intimate atmosphere where a single night can feel more meaningful than years of everyday life. From Passion to Lasting Love Although the setting suggests a fleeting encounter, the song evolves into something deeper. The transition from night to morning symbolizes moving from passion to permanence—turning a moment into the start of a lasting relationship.   Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest Australia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015. The country’s best result came in 2016 when Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence” achieved second place. Other notable entries include Guy Sebastian’s “Tonight Again” in 2015 and Kate Miller-Heidke’s “Zero Gravity” in 2019. The Bookmakers Bookmakers are backing Australia to go far — with strong odds to qualify from the second semi-final and a solid shot at the top of the leaderboard. Could they match their 2016 runner-up result… or even go one step further?    

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Australia

Road to Vienna: Australia As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Australia Delta Goodrem: Australia’s Pop Icon  Delta Goodrem began her career as a child actress before transitioning into music. She appeared in TV shows like Neighbours, which boosted her national profile. At just 15, she signed a record deal, and her 2002 single “Born to Try” launched her music career.                                                                                                                               Her debut album Innocent Eyes (2003) became a massive success, spending 29 weeks at number one in Australia. It produced five number-one singles and established Goodrem as a leading pop artist, with international success in the UK. Personal Challenges and Continued Success In 2003, Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, temporarily pausing her career. She returned with Mistaken Identity (2004), followed by Delta (2007), proving her resilience and artistic growth. Hits like “In This Life” kept her at the top of the charts. Music, TV and Theatre Career Throughout the 2010s, Goodrem balanced music and television. She released albums like Child of the Universe (2012) and Wings of the Wild (2016), while also serving as a coach on The Voice Australia. She expanded into acting and theatre, including portraying Olivia Newton-John in a biopic and performing in Cats. Recent Projects and Achievements In the 2020s, Goodrem continued evolving with new music, including Bridge Over Troubled Dreams (2021). She launched ATLED Records and expanded her charity work through the Delta Goodrem Foundation. She also celebrated 20 years of Innocent Eyes with a major tour. Eclipse: A Love Written in the Stars “Eclipse” presents love as something cosmic rather than coincidental. The lyrics describe a powerful connection that feels destined, where two people are drawn together as if the universe aligned just for them. This theme of fate gives the romance a sense of inevitability and depth. Celestial Imagery and Emotional Pull The song uses strong celestial metaphors—stars, gravity, and alignment—to highlight magnetic attraction. Love is portrayed as unstoppable and guided by purpose, not fragile or uncertain. This imagery reinforces the idea of a bond that goes beyond ordinary relationships. When Time Stands Still A central moment in “Eclipse” is the feeling that time pauses when two lovers connect. The outside world fades, leaving only emotion and presence. This creates an intimate atmosphere where a single night can feel more meaningful than years of everyday life. From Passion to Lasting Love Although the setting suggests a fleeting encounter, the song evolves into something deeper. The transition from night to morning symbolizes moving from passion to permanence—turning a moment into the start of a lasting relationship.   Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest Australia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015. The country’s best result came in 2016 when Dami Im’s “Sound of Silence” achieved second place. Other notable entries include Guy Sebastian’s “Tonight Again” in 2015 and Kate Miller-Heidke’s “Zero Gravity” in 2019. The Bookmakers Bookmakers are backing Australia to go far — with strong odds to qualify from the second semi-final and a solid shot at the top of the leaderboard. Could they match their 2016 runner-up result… or even go one step further?    

Read More »
Follow Us: