Birmingham

7 cities on shortlist UK

Seven cities are on the shortlist to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. These are Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. Not only the place itself was a subject, but also how the cities want to reflect Ukrainian culture in the festivities. Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest this year but cannot organize it itself. That is why the United Kingdom and the BBC are taking on the organization. photo: EBU The next step is to create a bid book. In it, the cities show how the festival is organized in their city. The venue where the festival is held is also discussed: it must also be suitable. The infrastructure and availability of hotels are also discussed. The city must also present the financial picture. The BBC and the EBU will make a decision together, which is likely to fall in the autumn.

Koit Toome

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameKoit Toome Born03 January 1979 Nationality🇪🇪 Estonian National SelectionEesti Laul 2021Eesti Laul 2017Eurolaul 2007Eurolaul 2003Eurolaul 1998Eurolaul 1997 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv1998 Birmingham Song2017 Verona (with Laura)1998 Mere lapsed Biography Koit Toome is an Estonian singer and actor. He was born in the Estonian capital Tallinn in 1979. Koit was discovered by music producer Mikk Targo in 1994. Targo was initially planning to launch a solo career for Koit. However, in the end it became a duo with Sirli Hiius: Code One. They had a lot of hits in Estonia, and also took part in Eurolaul 1997, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Tantsupalavik”. The duo became 3rd. As a solo singer, Koit started a career in 1998. He took part again in Eurolaul and managed to win it with the song “Mere lapsed”. He represented Estonia in th 1998 Eurovision Song Contest. The song reached a 12th place. The same year he recorded his debut solo album of mostly self-penned material on it, under the name of “Puudutus”. A second album, “Koit Toome”, was released a year later. Koit Toome became professionally active in musical theatre. His debut, Alfred in Tanz der Vampire (2000) was shortly followed by Marius of Les Misérables (2001), Chris in Miss Saigon (2002). In 2003, he took part in Eurolaul again. In 2005 he played Tony in West Side Story. In 2007, Koit Toome won Tantsud tähtedega (the Estonian version of Dancing with the Stars) with his partner on floor, Kertu Tänav. In the same year, he took part in Eurolaul again, this time with the song “Veidi veel”. The song became 10th. A new album, “Allikas”, came out. In 2010, again a new album was released, “Kaugele siit”. The song with the same name had already been released in 2009, more songs followed, among others “Põgenen”, a duet with Birgit Õigemeel. In 2011, he teamed up with Getter Jaani for a duet, “Valged ööd”. The collaboration with Getter Jaani had some follow ups. In 2012 the two released a single “Talveööl” together with Karl Madisega. In 2014 a new duet, “Rannamaja”, came out. Koit Toome has also embarked on a voice acting career, dubbing animated films. He provided the Estonian voice for Lightning McQueen in the Disney movie Cars. In 2017, Koit Toome and Laura Põldvere won Eesti Laul with the duet “Verona.” They represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. In 2019, a new song called “2020” was released. It was a collaboration with the band Black Velvet. He teamed up with Laura Põldvere again in the same year for the song “Segamini maailm”. Toome attempted to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 by participating in Eesti Laul 2021 with his song “We Could Have Been Beautiful”. He placed fourth in the national final. Koit Toome was a member of the jury in “Eesti Otsib Superstaari”, the Estonian version of Idols. A new single, “Vastu tuult”, was released in November 2021. A tour in december of the same year with Uku Suviste and Jaagup Tuisk followed. Two new singles, “Stop” and “Hääletuu”, were released in 2022. Entries Verona (with Laura) Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year2017 LanguageEnglish LyricsSven Lõhmus MusicSven Lõhmus BackingsKaire VilgatsDagmar OjaRolf Roosalu Results Semi Points: 85Position: 14Running order: 17 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/NxqPpzWYN1c Mere Lapsed Country🇪🇪 Estonia Year1998 LanguageEstonian LyricsPeeter Pruuli MusicMaria RahulaTomi Rahula ConductorHeiki Vahar BackingsMikko MaltisAin VartsJüri Mazurtšak Results Points: 36Position: 12Running order: 23 https://youtu.be/-YQCi5azRho

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

Dana International

About Quick Facts NameSharon Cohen Born02 February 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2011Internal selection 1998Kdam Eurovision 1995 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf1998 Birmingham SongDing Dong (2011)Diva (1998) Biography Sharon Cohen, known professionally as Dana International, was born on February 2, 1969, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Emerging from a Yemenite-Jewish family, she is the youngest of three siblings. Dana International, who was assigned male at birth, identified as female from an early age, aspiring to be a singer after being inspired by Ofra Haza’s performance in the 1983 Eurovision Song Contest. Despite the family’s financial constraints, her mother supported her musical ambitions, and Dana came out as transgender at the age of 13. Before her transition, Cohen performed as a drag queen, imitating female singers. Her career took a significant turn when Israeli DJ Offer Nissim discovered her, producing her debut single “Saida Sultana,” a satirical take on Whitney Houston’s “My Name Is Not Susan.” This exposure was pivotal in launching her professional music career. In 1993, after undergoing male-to-female sex reassignment surgery and legally changing her name to Sharon Cohen, she released her debut album “Danna International,” which achieved gold record status in Israel. Dana’s career saw a swift rise with the release of her albums “Umpatampa” (1994) and “Maganuna” (1996), which solidified her commercial success. She participated in Kdam Eurovision 1995 with the song “Layla Tov Europa”. Her breakthrough came in 1998 when she represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Diva,” securing first place and catapulting her to international fame. Despite facing opposition from conservative factions within Israel, her victory was celebrated across Europe, and she became a symbol of reconciliation and acceptance. Following her Eurovision win, Dana released several successful albums, including “Free” (1999), “Yoter VeYoter” (2001), “HaHalom HaEfshari” (2002), and “Hakol Ze Letova” (2007). In 2011, she returned to Eurovision with “Ding Dong,” although she did not advance to the final. That same year, she joined the judging panel of the Israeli television music talent contest “Kokhav Nolad.” Throughout her career, Dana International has been a trailblazer and a significant figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Her music and public presence have contributed to the broader conversation around gender identity and acceptance. Despite the challenges she faced, including a brief setback with Sony BMG and a period of reduced public visibility, she remained an influential voice in music and LGBTQ+ rights. In recent years, Dana continued to release new music, including singles “Ma La’asot” (2013), “Loca” (2013), and “Ir Shlema” (2013). She also ventured into television, searching for Israel’s next girl group on “Yeshnan Banot,” and participated in various pride events, reinforcing her message of love and tolerance. In 2018, she celebrated the 20th anniversary of her Eurovision win with a new version of “Diva” and performed at significant events, including the 2018 Israeli LGBT’s strike and the Jerusalem Pride and Tolerance Parade. Dana International’s legacy extends beyond her music; she is a cultural icon who embodies the spirit of perseverance and the fight for acceptance in the face of adversity. In October 2020, Dana participated in the “Call of the Hour” project, in which contemporary artists revived Hebrew songs, and she performed, alongside comedian Shahar Hasson and producer Omri Segal, a renewed version of the song “Makhelet Aliza” by Chava Alberstein. In October 2022, an evening in honor of Dana International was held, titled “A Tribute to Dana International,” where a large number of Israeli female artists performed her songs, including Ilanit, Gali Atari, Zehava Ben, and Dafna Dekel. The event was attended by the fourteenth Prime Minister of Israel, Yair Lapid, making it the first official LGBTQ+ event in the history of the State of Israel to be attended by a Prime Minister. Read more about Dana International in After the Eurovision Fame. Entries Ding Dong Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2011 LanguageEnglishHebrew LyricsDana International MusicDana International Backings5 backings, names unknown Results Semi Points: 38Position: 15Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/bWVuuvqEArE?si=eWSzhIeoYHMAwtqc Diva Country🇮🇱 Israel Year1998 LanguageHebrew LyricsYoav Ginai MusicTzvika Pik Conductor– BackingsShirley TzapriGalit DahanLilach KochTalia Adler Results Points: 172Position: 1Running order: 8 https://youtu.be/pJVnjTmt4eA?si=F4DNMTE6HqhgEuvD