2009 Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Eurovision Universe

Urban Symphony

About Quick Facts MembersSandra NurmsaluMann HelsteinJohanna MängelMari Möldre Active2007 – 2010 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongRändajad (2009) Biography Urban Symphony was an Estonian music group. In autumn 2007, Sandra Nurmsalu participated in the singing talent show 2 takti ette, organized biennially by Eesti Televisioon and broadcast nationwide. During one week of the contest, contestants were tasked with forming their own bands and producing a performance. Nurmsalu, who had studied violin for two years at the Georg Ots Music School and previously arranged Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” for a string ensemble, decided to form a string-based band. She recruited Mann Helstein on viola, Johanna Mängel on cello, a female contrabass player, and a male keyboardist from her former school. The newly formed band re-arranged the song “Hungry” by Kosheen, resulting in a well-received televised and recorded performance. After the talent show ended, Nurmsalu, Helstein, and Mängel decided to continue their collaboration. They brought in new cello player Mari Möldre and began working with music producer Sven Lõhmus. Their first completed track was “Rändajad”, which they entered into Eesti Laul, Estonia’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. The song earned them a 6th place finish in the Eurovision final. For this project, Marilin Kongo and Mirjam Mesak joined the group as backing vocalists. They also performed in other songs such as “Päikese poole”, “Skorpion”, and “Crying in the Rain”. In 2010, Urban Symphony announced their disbandment. The decision came as Sandra Nurmsalu wished to prioritize motherhood, while the other members chose to continue their studies and pursue other interests. Sandra Nurmsalu participated in Eesti Laul twice more. In 2014 her song “Kui tuuled pööprduvad” reached a 5th place, while “Soovide puu” was 8th in 2019. Entries Rändajad Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2009 LanguageEstonian LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsMirjam MesakMarilin Kongo Results Semi Points: 115Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 129Position: 6Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/gi0FEO2tFFA?si=4PR2hl24THvalkOh

Chiara

About Quick Facts NameChiara Siracusa Born25 September 1976 Nationality🇲🇹 Maltese National SelectionGO Malta Eurosong 2009Malta Song For Europe 2005Maltese national final 1998 In Eurovision2009 Moscow2005 Kyiv1998 Birmingham SongWhat if we… (2009)Angel (2005)The One That I Love (1998) Chiara Siracusa, known mononymously as Chiara, is one of Malta’s most celebrated vocalists. Born on September 25, 1976, Chiara’s journey to stardom began in earnest in 1998. As a relatively unknown artist, she walked onto the Eurovision stage in Birmingham and delivered a powerful rendition of “The One That I Love,” a song written by Jason Cassar and Sunny Aquilina. Her performance captured the hearts of many and secured a remarkable third-place finish, catapulting her into the spotlight. Between 1998 and 2003, Chiara’s star continued to rise. She released three successful albums in Malta and was honored with the “Best Female Artist” award at the Malta Music Awards in 1998. Her talent and stage presence led to notable performances alongside international stars such as Leo Sayer in 2000 and Boney M in 2001, showcasing her versatility and appeal across different musical genres. In 2005, Chiara made a triumphant return to the Maltese Eurovision Song Contest finals with “Angel,” a song she penned herself. Her powerful performance won her the opportunity to represent Malta at the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. Chiara’s heartfelt rendition of “Angel” made her one of the favorites to win and secured her a memorable second-place finish, further solidifying her status as a Eurovision icon. That same year, Chiara, with unwavering support from her father, embarked on creating a new album featuring songs by esteemed songwriters from Sweden, Belgium, and the United States, including the legendary Diane Warren. This album marked a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her growth as an artist and her international appeal. Following her success in 2005, Chiara remained active in the music scene, performing extensively in Malta and abroad, particularly in Greece and Cyprus. In 2008, she added another feather to her cap by presenting the Malta Song for Europe and serving as a supporting act during Michael Bolton’s concert in Malta. However, Chiara’s life was not without its challenges. The birth of her daughter, Ebony, brought immense joy, while the loss of her father in late 2008 was a profound personal tragedy. His unwavering support had been a cornerstone of her career, and his passing fueled her determination to achieve even greater success as a tribute to his memory. In 2009, Chiara once again returned to the Malta Eurosong finals with “What If We,” a song written by Gregory Bilsen and Marc Paelinck. She represented Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, reaching the final for the 3rd time. Chiara Siracusa served as Malta’s spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, announcing the points from the Maltese vote during the final. In June 2010, she released the Official Malta Gay Pride Anthem titled “Believe (We Are One).” She re-recorded it for 2011. She also featured in the Slink-track “Music is the answer”. In 2011, Chiara got the chance to perform in Amsterdam for the Eurovision Artists Event. She also performed at the Eurovision event in Portugal. She teamed up with Ludwig Galea for the Christmas song “Ħelu Bambin”. Chiara presented a new song in October 2012: “Forget forgetting me”. The song reached the no. 1 spot in the Maltese I-Tune charts within a week after the release. She started the year 2013 with several performances in San Francisco. She teamed up with Haffi Haff, who featured in the song “Zarbun”. This song, released in April 2013, became a hit too. In the summer of 2013 she recorded an EP along with Hera Björk as Two Divas: “9 to 5”, a cover version of Dolly Parton’s song. On May 4 2014, Chiara premiered her new song in the Euro Fan Cafe in Copenhagen during the Eurovision week: “Mermaid in Love”. In 2015 she performed in London and, along with Hera Björk, in Iceland. In January 2016 she sang in Munich. Especially as a tribute for the late Sunny Aquilina, Chiara wrote the song “Ismani Ftit Habib”, which she premiered in January 2017. She was also part of the show A Night With Tom Jones And The Best Of Soul. In February 2018, Chiara was part of the concert series of Spiteri Lucas Entertainment A Night with Engelbert, Sinatra, Shirley Bassey and Tina. She also played a role in the musical Il Ħanina Maddalena. A new series of concerts came up in February 2019: A Night with Cliff Richard, Robbie Williams, Withney Houston and Celine. In May she performed in Tel Aviv during the Eurovision week. A month later she performed at a Eurovision related concert in Hannover. In January 2020 a new tribute concert was there: A Night with Paul Anka, Elton John and the Best of Divas. Chiara performed in Rotterdam during the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 at the virtual Eurovillage. In August 2022 she performed at the Eurovision concert in Setúbal. Meanwhile, she kept on performing with the Spiteri Lucas Band. In October 2022 Chiara performed in Cardiff at Eurobash, along with Katrina. A month later, she sang in Cologne. In June 2023 she was able to perform with the 3 Tenors and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. She also sang at Amsterdam Calling in April 2024. Entries What If We… Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsGregory Bilsen MusicMarc Paelinck Backings– Results Semi Points: 86Position: 6Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: 31Position: 22Running order: 14 https://youtu.be/kX5STdIuiEg?si=NNcFi0HNWPb-zHKI Angel Country🇲🇹 Malta Year2005 LanguageEnglish LyricsChiara Siracusa MusicChiara Siracusa Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 192Position: 2Running order: 3 https://youtu.be/FS52OvqzmF8?si=mbpqWOqzwaS3d-cl The One That I Love Country🇲🇹 Malta Year1998 LanguageEnglish LyricsSunny Aquilina MusicJason Paul Cassar Conductor– Backings– Results Points: 165Position: 3Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/j82DG4HmrUQ?si=NhGUmszmpK8k3VeB

Nelly Ciobanu

About Quick Facts NameNelea Ciobanu-Mărgineanu Born28 October 1974 Nationality🇲🇩 Moldovan National SelectionO melodie pentru Europa 2009O melodie pentru Europa 2005 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongHora din Moldova (2009) Biography Nelly Ciobanu, born on October 28, 1974, in the village of Cania, Cantemir District, Moldova, is a renowned Moldovan singer and a prominent figure in the music industry of her country. Her full name is Nelly Ciobanu-Malău, and she grew up in a musical family, which significantly influenced her career choice. From a young age, Nelly demonstrated a remarkable talent for singing. She pursued formal education in music, graduating from the Ștefan Neaga Music College in Chișinău. Her professional career began to take off in the early 1990s when she participated in various music festivals and competitions, showcasing her vocal prowess and stage presence. Nelly’s big break came in 1993 when she won the Grand Prix at the “Tineretul Speranțelor” festival in Chișinău. This victory opened numerous doors for her, leading to national and international recognition. She further cemented her status by winning several prestigious awards, including the Grand Prix at the “Slavianski Bazaar” in Belarus in 1996. One of the defining moments of Nelly’s career was her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009. Representing Moldova with the song “Hora din Moldova,” she captivated audiences with her powerful performance, which earned her a respectable 14th place in the final. The song, which blended traditional Moldovan folk elements with contemporary sounds, became a hit and is still celebrated in Moldova. In 2012, she attempted to represent Moldova once more in Eurovision with the song “Turn on the Light” but did not make it to the final selection. In 2013, Nelly released new singles, “Tu iubire” and “Ola Hello!”. She teamed up with Stefano Nutti to record the duet “Rimani qui!!” in February 2014. In 2017, Nelly Ciobanu was a member of the expert jury for the Eurovision Song Contest. On Christmas eve of the same year, Nelly performed in Paris along with Ionel Istrati. In February 2018 Toronto followed, where she sang with Valentin Uzun. A month later, Nelly sang in Italy. In October, she released a new single, “Dă-mi înapoi”. Nelly ended the year by performing in Israel. In 2019, Nelly was awarded the Gavrill Muzicescu Award from the Moldovan ministry of Culture. In January 2020, she performed with Ionel Istrati again, this time in Russia. She became an Interpol ambassador as a member of the “Turn back crime” campaign. She also released the song “Da-mi Inapoi” in the same year. It was in March 2023 when Nelly performed for the Moldovan diaspora in Zürich, Switzerland. A month later she was a member of the Caucaz- 2023 international festival of Arts jury. In March 2024 she performed in Nice, France, in collaboration with Valentin Uzun. In May of the same year she released a new song, “Treci dragoste pe la mine”. Nelly has also been involved in television, notably hosting the popular Moldovan music program “Vedete la bis” (Stars Encore), which showcases various musical talents. In November 2021 she played one of the main roles in the movie “Bereh pravyy, bereh levyy”. Entries Hora Din Moldova Country🇲🇩 Moldova Year2009 Language🇬🇧 English LyricsAndrei HadjiuNelly CiobanuAris Calimeris MusicVeaceslav Daniliuc BackingsGicu Cimbir??? Results Semi Points: 106Position: 5Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 69Position: 14Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/ZoP_0okrWyo?si=d_wODx72ZZILbdEC

Grupa Regina

About Quick Facts MembersDavor EbnerAleksandar ‘Aco’ ĆovićDenis ČabrićBojan Milićević Active1990-2000, 2006- Nationality🇧🇦 Bosnian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongBistra voda (2009) Biography In 1989, five members—Aleksandar Čović, Bojan Milicevic, Bojan Milijas, Boris Milijas, and Goran Lucic—started an amateur band in Sarajevo, in those days in Yugoslavia. They had a problem because they didn’t have a singer. Soon, they found Davor Ebner, who gave the band the name Regina. That same year, Regina released their first album, called Regina. Aleksandar Čović wrote the lyrics, and he was inspired by the Irish band U2. The first album had hit songs like “Spavaj,” “Ne pitaj me,” and “Kao nekada ona,” and the band quickly became one of the most popular in the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, they released another album called “Ljubav nije za nas,” but the band stopped working because the war started in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Even though the band stopped performing, Aleksandar Čović continued working in Belgrade between 1992 and 1999, releasing several albums: “Regina,” “Oteto od zaborava,” “Godine lete,” “Ja nisam kao drugi,” “Kad zatvorim oči,” and “Devedesete.” From 2000, the band didn’t work until 2006, when Čović started working again with singer Davor Ebner, and they reformed the band. They soon released another album called “Sve mogu ja.” On January 12, 2009, BHT announced that Regina, with their song “Bistra voda,” would represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The song was officially presented on March 1, 2009. Theyqualified for the final on May 16, 2009, performing 12th. In the final, they finished in 9th place with 106 points. On June 5, 2009, they released their 10th studio album called “Vrijeme je.” The album included the Eurovision song “Bistra voda,” its English and Russian versions, and 10 new songs. In 2011, the band recorded a duet with Tifa, the former singer of the band Bijelo Dugme, titled “Ptico mala,” which premiered in the summer of 2011, along with a music video. They also announced a new album, “Sarajevo,” with “Ptico mala” as the lead single. Although “Sarajevo” was announced for autumn 2011, the band postponed the album release. In May 2012, it was announced that a new song “Kad poludimo” was recorded. The music video was released on May 8, 2012, and it was announced that the new album would be titled “Kad poludimo,” set to be released by the end of May 2012. On May 18, 2012, Regina announced that the album was on sale. In 2015, Bojan Miličević left the band. On 16 August 2016, the band’s long-time bassist, Denis Čabrić, suddenly died of a heart attack, leaving the band with three members. On Valentine’s Day 2017, Regina, now a trio, released a new studio album called “U srcu,” with the single “Za one stare dane,” the video for which was filmed in Paris. After thirty years of performing and many concerts, Davor Ebner decided to start a new project called “Ebner,” with some well-known Sarajevo musicians. The idea of the project was for Davor Ebner to try a different style of music compared to Regina. With his lead and the new musicians, Regina entered a new phase, aiming to connect the “Ebner” project with the Regina band by trying to produce and perform music closer to new market trends. Regina’s songs are still performed in their original form but with a more modern and better sound to make the differences between genres smaller along with the “Ebner” project songs. In December 2022, Ebner left Regina, leaving the band as a duo. Entries Bistra voda Country🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina Year2009 LanguageBosnian LyricsAleksandar ‘Ćović MusicAleksandar Ćović BackingsElma SelimovićDanijela Večerinović Results Semi Points: 125Position: 3Running order: 18 Results Finals Points: 106Position: 9Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/TcRWjoEkzMk?si=LzeMNMSO6B_60ZKG

Anastasiya Prikhodko

About Quick Facts NameAnastasiya Kostyantynivna Prykhodko Born21 April 1987 Nationality🇺🇦 Ukrainian National SelectionVidbir 2016Evrobachennya 2011 – Natsionalyni vidbirEvrovidenie 2009 – Nacionalny OtborEvrobachennya 2009 – Natsionalyni vidbir In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongMamo (2009) Biography Anastasia Konstantinovna Prikhodko, born on April 21, 1987, in Kyiv, USSR (now Ukraine), is a renowned Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and political activist. She has received the title of Honored Artist of Ukraine in 2017. Early Life and Background Anastasia was born into a mixed heritage family, with a Russian father and a Ukrainian mother.Her childhood was marked by the divorce of her parents, leading her to be raised by her mother in Kyiv. Her family history is diverse, including a great-great-grandfather of Japanese descent and a grandfather who was a World War II veteran. Education and Early Career At the age of fifteen, Anastasia aspired to join the pop group VIA Gra but did not succeed. Undeterred, she pursued her passion for music, graduating from the Kyiv Music College with a focus on folk vocals. She furthered her education at the Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts and actively participated in various local music festivals. Rise to Fame Anastasia’s breakthrough came in 2007 when she won Fabrika zvyozd 7, a popular Russian TV music competition. This victory led to a contract with the well-known producer Konstantin Meladze. Musical Achievements In 2008, she gained further recognition by performing a hymn dedicated to Family, Love, and Fidelity Day on the First Channel and releasing a music video for her song “Bezotvetno,” directed by Alan Badoev. Eurovision Experience Anastasia’s attempt to represent Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 was met with disqualification. She then successfully competed in the Russian national selection with her bilingual song “Mamo,” winning the opportunity to represent Russia. She performed at the Eurovision 2009 in Moscow, finishing in 11th place. Following this, her collaboration with Konstantin Meladze ended. Continued Music Career In October 2009, Anastasia starred in the musical How Cossacks…, aired on New Year’s Eve. She released the video for “Vspykhnet svet” in 2010 and continued to participate in music contests, including the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision 2011. In 2011, she collaborated with David on “Mezhdu nami nebo” and released “Yasnovidyashchaya” in 2012. Political Involvement In 2016, Anastasia competed in the Ukrainian national selection for Eurovision with “I Am Free Now,” but did not make it to the final. She later released a Ukrainian version of the song, “Ya vilna,” dedicated to Nadiya Savchenko. In October 2018, Anastasia announced her shift from music to politics, joining Yulia Tymoshenko’s Batkivshchyna party. She ran for a seat in the Verkhovna Rada in June 2019 but later decided to leave the party and return to music. Recent Activities In February 2021, Anastasia declared her return to the music scene. She competed in the Ukrainian TV show “Maska,” (The Masked Singer) reaching the semifinals as the Dragonfly. In late 2021, she released a new song titled “Podruga,” and in June 2022, she came out with a music video for her Ukrainian-language song “Stepom.” Entries Song Title Country🇷🇺 Russia Year2009 LanguageRussianUkrainian LyricsDiana GoldeKonstantin Meladze MusicKonstantin Meladze Backings????? Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 91Position: 11Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/vxZGknFxE58?si=iM7tcEXzIPgHqf_c

Inga & Anush

About Quick Facts MembersInga ArshakyanAnush Arshakyan Founded2000 Nationality🇦🇲 Armenian National SelectionEvrotesil 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongJan Jan (2009) Biography Inga & Anush: Biography Inga and Anush Ashoti Arshakyan, known as the Arshakyan Sisters, are a famous Armenian folk singing duo. They represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 and finished in 10th place in the final. Early Life Anush Arshakyan was born on December 24, 1980, in Yerevan. She graduated from S. Aslamazyan music school, specializing in piano. In 1994, she won first place and the audience prize in the “Sonorous Voices” competition in Omsk. Anush started promoting herself as a writer and composer. After finishing her studies in 2001, she graduated from A. Babajanyan music college, also in piano. She debuted as a soloist with the Armenia State Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in 1999. From 2001 to 2005, she studied jazz vocals at Yerevan State Conservatory. Her sister, Inga Arshakyan, was born on March 18, 1982, in Yerevan. She graduated from S. Aslamazyan music school and A. Babajanyan music college as a violinist in 1997. While studying, Inga worked in the G. Achemyan violin ensemble and toured Armenian provinces. In 1998, Inga joined Anush, and together they started performing duets and arias, where the violin played a significant role. Inga graduated in strings in 2002 and followed her sister into the Yerevan State Conservatory, where she studied jazz vocals, graduating in 2005. Career In 2000, Inga and Anush joined the State Song Theater of Armenia. They performed national, ethnic songs and songs written by A. Grigoryan and Anush. They sang as soloists in many cities across Armenia. In September 2002, they went to the United States for a concert tour with song theater soloists. After performing at the “Alex” Theatre in Los Angeles, they received an offer to return for solo concerts. They also performed in Tehran with the same program. In 2002, the Armenian variety song festival Golden Lyre awarded Anush and Inga the “Sympathy of Audience” nomination. In February 2003, they prepared the concert program “Seasons of Life,” which included ethnic, national, and modern songs, along with songs accompanied by violin, guitar, and piano. In March 2003, Inga and Anush had solo concerts at the “Alex” Theater, and their first album, “We and Our Mountains,” was released. This led to invitations to perform in New York City, Toronto, Argentina, and Paris. In November, they left the theater staff to work independently. In 2004, their rendition of the folk song “Tamzara” won the Golden Lyre 2004 festival and the Tigran Naghdalyan award at the National Music Awards in December 2005. The song’s video was released the same year and included on their second album, “Tamzara,” in 2006. Following the release of “Tamzara,” they toured the USA, Tehran, London, Paris, Russia, and Germany. From 2008, Inga and Anush started working with SHARM Holding LLC. Their third studio album, “Heartbeat of My Land,” was released in November 2009. The single “Menq Enq Mer Sarerệ” was chosen as the 2009 song for the annual Armenian Telethon, under the name “Our Shushi.” They performed at the televised show on November 26, 2009. On May 21, Inga and Anush began a tour to promote “Heartbeat of My Land,” with shows in Yerevan, Syria, Beirut, and Russia. Eurovision Song Contest 2009 The Arshakyan Sisters were chosen by the Armenian public on February 14, 2009, to represent Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow with the song “Jan Jan.” The song was composed by Mane Akopyan, with lyrics by Avet Barseghyan and Vardan Zadoyan, and arranged by Ara (Murzo) Torosyan. They aimed to present Armenian folk music in a new way. “Jan Jan” advanced from the first semi-final on May 12 and finished in 10th place with 92 points in the final on May 16. Despite being Armenia’s less successful performance at Eurovision up to that point, it marked the country’s fourth consecutive top-ten finish. “Jan Jan” also entered the Pmachinery Top 30 chart, peaking at number 3 on August 1, 2009, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks. Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Inga represented Armenia again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 as a member of the group Genealogy. Discography and Videography Inga and Anush’s discography includes their first album, “We and Our Mountains,” released in 2003, followed by “Tamzara” in 2006. In 2009, they released “Heartbeat of My Land,” and in 2014, they came out with “Sketches.” Their singles include popular tracks like “Tamzara,” “Khlpane,” “Marry Song,” “Jan Jan,” “Gutan,” “The Road,” “You Will Not Be Alone,” “Don Hay,” “We Are Our Mountains,” “Love Yerevan,” “My Name is Armenia,” “Hay Hay [Hye hye],” and “Aysor Ton E”. They released a new single in 2019, “Dzyan heqiat”, from their 2018 album “Tsari”. In 2019 they also performed in Boston, United States. In 2019 the sisters started as vocal coaches. In 2021 they came up with a new children’s project, Hay Notes. They also produced a live concert video in 2006, titled “Inga & Anush.Live concert,” and in 2011, they released a video for “The Road.” Both sisters played a role in the movie 3 weeks in Yerevan, released in 2016. Awards In 2015, Inga and Anush won the “Best Video” category at the Armenian Pulse Music Awards in Yerevan. They won the Special Van Music Award in 2016 for the song “Aprelu April”. They were judges themselfs in Depi Evratesil 2017, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Entries Jan Jan Country🇦🇲 Armenia Year2009 LanguageEnglishArmenian LyricsAvet BarseghyanVardan Zadoyan MusicMane Hakobyan Dancers???? Results Semi Points: 99Position: 5Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: 92Position: 10Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/YhfqLTT8mpo?si=nNCSUkHR3I4UkpZJ

Sakis Rouvas

About Quick Facts NameAnastasios Rouvas Born05 January 1972 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2009Internal selection 2004 In Eurovision2009 Moscow2004 Istanbul SongThis Is Our Night (2009)Shake It (2004) Biography Sakis Rouvas is a famous Greek singer, actor, and former pole vaulter. He was born on January 5, 1972, in Mantouki, a village near the town of Corfu on the Greek island of the same name. His full name is Anastasios Rouvas, but he is widely known as Sakis Rouvas. Early Life and Sports Career Sakis Rouvas showed a talent for music and sports from a young age. As a teenager, he excelled in athletics, particularly in pole vaulting. He became a member of the Greek national athletics team and won several national awards. However, his passion for music was equally strong. He started playing the guitar and performing at local events, showing early signs of his future career in entertainment. Music Career Sakis Rouvas’s music career began in 1991 when he moved to Athens and signed a contract with PolyGram Records. His first single, “Par’ ta,” became an instant hit in Greece. His self-titled debut album, released the same year, established him as a rising star in the Greek music scene. Over the years, Sakis released numerous albums that achieved great commercial success. Some of his popular albums include “Min Antistekesai” (1992), “Aima, Dakrya & Idrotas” (1994), and “Kati Apo Mena” (1998). His energetic performances and charismatic stage presence made him a favorite among fans. Eurovision Song Contest Sakis Rouvas gained international recognition through his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. He first represented Greece in 2004 with the song “Shake It,” which finished in third place. His dynamic performance and catchy song made a lasting impression on the European audience. In 2009, Sakis represented Greece again with the song “This Is Our Night.” He placed seventh in the competition, further solidifying his status as a prominent international artist. His involvement in Eurovision greatly contributed to his popularity outside Greece. Acting Career In addition to his music career, Sakis Rouvas has also pursued acting. He made his film debut in 2007 with the movie “Alter Ego,” where he played the lead role of Stefanos. The film was a commercial success in Greece and showcased his versatility as an entertainer. Sakis also appeared in several television series and theatrical productions, further expanding his career in the entertainment industry. His acting skills received positive reviews, and he continued to balance both his music and acting careers. Television Hosting Sakis Rouvas has hosted various television shows in Greece. He became the host of the Greek version of “The X Factor” in 2010, showcasing his ability to engage with audiences in a different format. His charisma and popularity made him a natural choice for hosting, and he continued to appear on television as a presenter for various programs. Personal Life Sakis Rouvas is known for his private nature regarding his personal life. He has been in a long-term relationship with Katia Zygouli, a Greek model and actress. The couple has four children together: Anastasia, Alexandros, Ariadni, and Apostolos. They got married in 2017, after many years together. Philanthropy Sakis Rouvas is also involved in various charitable activities. He has supported causes related to children’s welfare, health, and education. His philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition and respect beyond his entertainment career. Awards and Achievements Throughout his career, Sakis Rouvas has received numerous awards and accolades. He has won multiple MAD Video Music Awards, Arion Music Awards, and other honors for his contributions to music and entertainment. His impact on the Greek music industry and his success in international platforms like Eurovision have solidified his legacy as one of Greece’s most prominent artists. Legacy Sakis Rouvas remains a significant figure in Greek pop culture. His contributions to music, film, and television have left a lasting impact. With a career spanning over three decades, he continues to be a beloved and influential artist in Greece and beyond. Entries This Is Our Night Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsCraig PorteilsCameron Giles-Webb MusicDimitris Kontópoulos BackingsAlexandros PanayiAnna Strandberg AnderssonAnna NilssonGeorgios PapadopoulosNikolaos Marianos Results Semi Points: 110Position: 4Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 7Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/czMloseL7yE?si=SpWvTsDTQn2_86XW Shake It Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2004 LanguageEnglish LyricsNektarios Tyrakis MusicNikos Terzis BackingsApostolos PsihramisAndonis ThominosYianna Fafaliou DancersIrina MansurovaMaria Lyraraki Results Semi Points: 238Position: 3Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: 252Position: 3Running order: 16 https://youtu.be/asZwDUTEXls?si=7bxtAGgu-Zvjlelx

Yohanna

About Quick Facts NameJóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir Born16 October 1990 Nationality🇮🇸 Icelandic National SelectionSöngvakeppnin 2013Söngvakeppnin 2011Söngvakeppnin 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongIs It True? (2009) Biography Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir, known as Yohanna, is an Icelandic singer born on October 16, 1990. Yohanna was born in Copenhagen to Icelandic parents but moved back to Iceland when she was two. Her father, Jón Sverrir Sverrison, is an electrical engineer, and her mother, Margrét Steinþórsdóttir, is a nurse. The family lived in Reykjavík before moving to Hafnarfjörður. Yohanna started singing lessons at age nine. Yohanna began her music career in 2000 at age nine, signing with an Icelandic record label. She released two albums as a child: “Jóhanna Guðrún 9” in 2000 and “Ég sjálf” in 2001. These albums included covers of popular international songs sung in Icelandic. She released a Christmas album in 2002 before taking a break from music. After a six-year break, Yohanna returned to the music scene in 2008 and competed in Söngvakeppnin, Iceland’s national selection for Eurovision 2009 with the song “Is It True?”. She won the competition and represented Iceland in Moscow, where she finished second. This was one of Iceland’s best results in Eurovision history. Her song became a hit across Europe, reaching number one in Iceland and charting in several other countries. After Eurovision, Yohanna signed with Warner Music Sweden and released her album “Butterflies and Elvis” in 2009. The album included the single “I Miss You,” which was a top twenty hit in Iceland. Yohanna tried to return to Eurovision twice more. In 2011, she competed with the song “Nótt” and reached the finals but didn’t win. However, she won the OGAE Second Chance Contest 2011. She also released the singles “I Think Of Angels” and “Really over” in the same year. Yohanna lived in Iceland until 2012 when she moved to Kongsvinger, Norway, to be closer to mainland Europe. From there, the singles “Indian Rope Trick” and “Coming Home” came out. In 2013, she competed in Söngvakeppnin again, with the song “Þú” but didn’t make it past the semi-finals. In 2013, she also had a number-one hit in Iceland with the song “Mamma þarf að djamma,” performed with Baggalútur. After a break, she teamed up with ROK to release the song “Find A Better Man” in 2015. A year later, she came up with the single “Revolving doors”. In 2018, she married Icelandic musician Davíð Sigurgeirsson. They have two children, a daughter born in 2015 and a son born in 2019. Davíð wrote Yohanna’s 2013 single “Þú”. 2020 was the year of Yohanna’s comeback. She released a new album, the Christmas album “Jól með Jóhönnu”, and the single “Löngu liðnir dagar”. After the singles “Ætla ekki að eyða þeim ein” (2021) and “Jólin koma alltaf” (2022), a new album came out in 2023: “Óskalögin mín”. The latter contained the song “Best í heimi”, a duet with Margrét Lilja. Yohanna’s new single in 2024 is titled “Töfrar” and announces a new album. Entries Is It True? Country🇮🇸 Iceland Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsÓskar Páll SveinssonChris NeilTinatin Japaridze MusicÓskar Páll SveinssonChris NeilTinatin Japaridze BackingsFriðrik ÓmarErna Hrönn ÓlafsdóttirHera Björk ÞórhallsdóttirBörkur Hrafn BirgissonHallgrímur Jensson Results Semi Points: 174Position: 1Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 218Position: 2Running order: 7 https://youtu.be/UBEpub4qE9c?si=rGTnr6b0vxYPQ800

Flor-de-lis

About Quick Facts MembersPedro MarquesAna Sofia CampeãJorge MarquesJosé CamachoPaulo PereiraDaniela VarelaRolando Amaral (not on stage) Founded2008 Nationality🇵🇹 Portuguese National SelectionFestival RTP da Canção 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongTodas as Ruas do Amor Biography Flor de Lis is a Portuguese musical group that won the Festival RTP da Canção in 2009. História (History) Flor de Lis started in 2008. Their music is based on Portuguese popular and folk music, with influences from around the world, especially Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. In 2009, they joined the Festival RTP da Canção and won with the song “Todas as Ruas do Amor.” This meant they represented Portugal in Moscow at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. They performed in the first semifinal on May 12 and made it to the final on May 16. In the Eurovision final, they finished in 15th place with 57 points. Their album “Signo Solar” came out in April 2010. The main influence was Portuguese popular music and folklore. In the next year, they released a limited edition with extra tracks. Flor de Lis released the single “Cinema Paraíso” in 2013 and the single “Dona Rosa” in 2014. After that, they took a break from making new songs and focused on live performances. In 2020, they came back with a new look and sound. The main band members were still Daniela Varela (vocals), José Camacho (guitars), Vasco Corisco (bass), and Pedro Marques (percussion and drums). They also had guest musicians like Inês Vaz (accordion) and Bruno Vicente (guitars). The band continues to play live concerts and create music regularly. Entries Todas as Ruas do Amor Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2009 LanguagePortuguese LyricsPedro Marques MusicPaulo PereiraPedro Marques Backings– Results Semi Points: 70Position: 8Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: 57Position: 15Running order: 6 https://youtu.be/ryE2npWRICk?si=tYPlbdAtL2Rmt7_6

Malena Ernman

About Quick Facts NameSara Magdalena Ernman Born04 November 1970 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionMelodifestivalen 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongLa Voix (2009) Biography Sara Magdalena Ernman, known as Malena Ernman, was born on November 4, 1970, in Uppsala, Sweden. She is a renowned Swedish opera singer with a mezzo-soprano voice but has a unique range that extends to a coloratura soprano’s high F. She grew up in Sandviken, the daughter of economist Lars Ernman and deacon Eva Ernman, née Arvidsson. Her maternal grandmother is actress Renée Björling. Malena Ernman began singing at the age of six in the choir Coromanterna in Sandviken. She continued her musical education in Stockholm, where she sang alto in the Radio Choir under the direction of Gustaf Sjökvist and Eric Ericson. Ernman studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, the music conservatory in Orléans, and the University College of Opera in Stockholm. Ernman’s breakthrough in opera came in 1998 when she performed the role of Kaja in Sven-David Sandström’s “Staden” alongside Loa Falkman. This success led to significant roles such as Cherubino in “Figaros bröllop” and Rosina in “Barberaren i Sevilla” at Staatsoper Berlin, both under Daniel Barenboim. She also performed the title roles in “Carmen” at the Royal Opera and Boesmans’ “Fröken Julie” in Brussels, Vienna, and Aix-en-Provence. Her international breakthrough was in 1999 with the role of Agrippina in performances in Brussels and Paris conducted by René Jacobs. She performed at the Glyndebourne Festival as Nancy in “Albert Herring” in 2002 and Orlovsky in “Läderlappen” in 2003. In 2006, she performed as Dido in “Dido och Aeneas” in Vienna and Annio in “La Clemenza di Tito” at the Salzburg Festspiele. In 2007, her roles included Sesto in “Julius Caesar” in Vienna, Cherubino in “Figaros bröllop” in Aix en Provence, and Nerone in “Poppeas kröning” in Amsterdam. In 2009, she was featured in “Askungen” at the Stockholm Opera and Frankfurt Opera and as Dido in “Dido och Aeneas” in Paris, Vienna, and Amsterdam. Ernman gained mainstream popularity by winning Melodifestivalen 2009 with the song “La Voix,” co-written with Fredrik Kempe. She represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow, finishing 21st in the final. In addition to her operatic roles, Ernman has performed in various concerts worldwide and appeared on Swedish Television. She released several albums, including “Naïve” (2000), “Cabaret Songs” (2001), “My Love” (2003), “La Voix du Nord” (2009), “Santa Lucia – En klassisk jul” (2010), and “Opera di Fiori” (2011). Malena Ernman also played roles in musicals. She was Sally Bowles in the musical “Cabaret”, Gabriella in “Så som i himmelen” and Edith Piaf in “Piaf”. Malena Ernman has received numerous awards and honors, such as the Operapriset by Tidskriften OPERA (1999/2000), membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music (2006), the title of Court Singer (2011), and the Litteris et Artibus medal (2011). She was also named an honorary citizen of Sandviken Municipality (2014) and received the Martin Luther King Award (2016) and the Environmental Hero of the Year award by WWF (2017). In 2018, Ernman and her husband Svante Thunberg published the book “Scener ur hjärtat,” an autobiography that includes their daughters as co-authors in later editions. Malena Ernman has been married to Svante Thunberg since 2004, and they have two daughters, Greta Thunberg and Beata Ernman. Entries La Voix Country🇸🇪 Sweden Year2009 LanguageEnglishFrench LyricsFredrik KempeMalena Ernman MusicFredrik Kempe BackingsAnna-Maria HallgarnDea NorbergJessica MarbergerMalin NilssonTine Matulessy Results Semi Points: 105Position: 4Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 33Position: 21Running order: 4 https://youtu.be/xE9Pl3mqRbo?si=0R1R7BNZ_wpyLTfV