Moscow

Arash Labaf

About Quick Facts NameAlex Arash Labaf Born23 April 1977 Nationality🇸🇪 Swedish National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongAlways (& Aysel) Biography Alex Arash Labaf, born April 23, 1977, in Tehran, is an Iranian-Swedish musician. As an artist, he is known simply as Arash. Arash had his breakthrough in 2004 with the release of his single “Boro Boro”, which topped the Swedish charts. Following this success, he released his self-titled debut album, “Arash”, in 2005, which included other hits such as “Tike Tike Kardi”. His third single, “Temptation” (feat. Rebecca), also became a major hit in Scandinavia, reaching number two on the Swedish charts in 2005. Arash further expanded his influence by recording a Russian version of “Temptation” with the popular Russian group Blestjasjtjie. The song, called “Vostotjnie skazki”, was a significant hit in Russia. In 2006, Arash released “Crossfade (The Remix Album)”, showcasing new renditions of his popular tracks. He continued to build his career with the 2008 album Donya, featuring collaborations with artists like Shaggy on the title track Donya, and Rebecca on Suddenly. The album also included the heartfelt duet “Pure Love” with Helena Paparizou. In 2009, Arash represented Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest with AySel, performing the song Always. They finished in third place with 207 points. The song became a major hit in Sweden, reaching number 3 on the Swedish charts. Following this success, he released “Kandi” (feat. Lumidee) the same year. Arash’s international collaborations continued with the release of “She Makes Me Go” (feat. Sean Paul) in 2013, a track based on “Think about the way” from 1994 by Ice MC. In 2014, he released his album “Superman”, which featured singles like “One Day” (feat. Helena Paparizou), “Doga Doga” (feat. Medina), and “Sex Love Rock N Roll” (feat. T-Pain). In 2016, Arash collaborated with Snoop Dogg on the track “OMG”. The following year, he released “Se Fue” (feat. Mohombi) and “Dooset Daram” (feat. Helena). His musical journey continued with the 2018 hit “Goalie Goalie” (feat. Pitbull, Blanco & Nyusha) and the 2019 single “One Night In Dubai” (feat. Helena). Arash’s more recent works include “Mary Jane” (versus Ilkay Sencan) and “No Maybes” (feat. Ilkay Sencan, Era Istrefi) in 2020. In 2021, he released several singles, including “Lavandia” (with Marshmello), “Angels Lullaby” (feat. Helena), Asemoon, and “Ich bin weg (Boro Boro)” (feat. Samra & Topic42). In 2022, he collaborated with Navid Zardi on “Bombe”, and in 2024, he released Hulu (feat. Sasy). Beyond his music, Arash has also contributed to film soundtracks. He produced music for the 2004 film Bombay Dreams, featuring the track “Bombay Dreams” (feat. Rebecca & Aneela), and for the 2005 film Bluffmaster, which included his song “Boro Boro (Bure Bure)”. Arash’s family resides in Sweden. He has two siblings, Arsalan Labaf, a lawyer, and Ashkan Labaf, a doctor. Malmö is his hometown in Sweden. Entries Always (& AySel) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsArash LabafRobert UhlmannElin WrethovAnderz Wrethov MusicArash LabafRobert UhlmannJohan BejerholmMarcus EnglöfAlex Papaconstantinou Backings? Dancers??? Results Semi Points: 180Position: 2Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 207Position: 3Running order: 11 https://youtu.be/9OEIOS1oUeY?si=XTfvyALTe_5fDfS1

Aysel Teymurzadeh

About Quick Facts NameAysel Teymurzadeh Born25 April 1989 Nationality🇦🇿 Azerbaijani National Selectioninternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongAlways (& Arash, 2009) Biography Aysel Teymurzadeh Aysel Teymurzadeh (Azerbaijani: Aysel Məhəmməd qızı Teymurzadə; born April 25, 1989, Baku) is an Azerbaijani pop and R&B singer. Biography Aysel was born in Baku, the youngest of three daughters to a journalist father and a university professor mother. Aysel began singing at the age of four and developed a passion for the piano early on. She graduated from the Intellect Lyceum in Baku and attended Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas, during the 2005-2006 academic year. Shortly after arriving in the United States, she joined the local choir and started training for young vocalists’ competitions. While in the U.S., Aysel won three gold medals at contests held at Southern Arkansas University and the University of Texas at Austin. In 2005, she participated in Season 4 of the national song contest Yeni Ulduz (“New Star”). As of January 2009, she was majoring in International Relations at the Azerbaijan University of Languages. Eurovision In January 2009, Aysel was selected internally by İTV to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, alongside Iranian-Swedish singer Arash with the song “Always.” On May 16, 2009, Aysel and Arash finished third with 207 points. Aysel and Arash won the 4th Annual ESC Radio Awards in the Best Group category. After Eurovision On May 28, 2009, Aysel announced a European tour with Arash, performing in countries such as Sweden, Greece, and Russia. She also starred in a high-profile TV commercial for Danone yogurts, which aired on Azerbaijani and Georgian TV channels. In 2012, Aysel was one of five musicians from Azerbaijan chosen as jurors for the Danish national selection of the 2012 Eurovision contestant. In December 2022, Aysel made a comeback and released a new single: “Yeni il”. In July 2023 a follow up came, in Russian: “Voploshcheniye mechty”. She also served as the spokesperson for the Azerbaijani jury at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, while she was also involved in the national selection as a member of the selection committee. Personal Life In 2012, Aysel married Murad Adigozalov, the 39-year-old director of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Society and a divorced father of two children. Following her marriage, Aysel reportedly planned to leave the big stage and only perform at official events. The couple has three children: two sons born in 2012 and 2016, and a daughter born in 2014. Entries Always (& Arash) Country🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsArash LabafRobert UhlmannElin WrethovAnderz Wrethov MusicArash LabafRobert UhlmannJohan BejerholmMarcus EnglöfAlex Papaconstantinou Backings? Dancers??? Results Semi Points: 180Position: 2Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 207Position: 3Running order: 11 https://youtu.be/J0qdRqY_3HM?si=FAod2E8VcBbI7bOU

Andrea Šušnjara

About Quick Facts NameAndrea Šušnjara Born26 February 1987 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionDORA 2009DORA 2004 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongLijepa Tena (& Igor Cukrov, 2009) Biography Biography of Andrea Šušnjara Andrea Šušnjara, born on February 26, 1987, in Split, Croatia, is a talented Croatian singer and songwriter known for her captivating voice and dynamic stage presence. Her journey in the music industry began at a young age, and she quickly rose to prominence as one of Croatia’s most beloved performers. Early Life and Career Beginnings Andrea showed an interest in music from a young age. She participated in various local singing competitions and talent shows, which helped her gain recognition and experience in performing. Her passion for music was evident, and it wasn’t long before she started making a name for herself in the Croatian music scene. Breakthrough and Eurovision Andrea’s major breakthrough came in 2009 when she represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside Igor Cukrov. They performed the song “Lijepa Tena,” written by Tonči Huljić. The song was selected through Croatia’s national selection, Dora, and went on to compete in the Eurovision final held in Moscow. Although the song finished in 18th place, it was a significant milestone in Andrea’s career, exposing her to a broader European audience. Collaboration with Magazin In 2010, Andrea became the lead singer of the popular Croatian band Magazin, one of the most well-known pop bands in the region. Her collaboration with Magazin marked a new chapter in her career, and she quickly became a fan favorite. With Andrea as the lead vocalist, the band released several hit songs and albums, further solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the Croatian music industry. Notable Singles and Performances Throughout her career, Andrea has released numerous singles that have topped the charts and resonated with audiences. Some of her notable singles include “Sijaj zvijezdo,” “Bojim se,” and “Kasno je.” Her performances at various music festivals and concerts have garnered widespread acclaim, showcasing her versatility and strong stage presence. Entries Lijepa tena (& Igor Cukrov) Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2009 LanguageCroatian LyricsVjekoslava Huljić MusicTonči Huljić BackingsIvana ČabrajaJelena MajićSanja JukićKarmen Matković Results Semi Points: 33Position: 13 (backup jury qualifier)Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 45Position: 18Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/jdLct2IqcLA?si=MPyubULW3Z91NZU7

Igor Cukrov

About Quick Facts NameIgor Cukrov Born06 June 1984 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionDORA 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongLijepa tena (& Andrea, 2009) Biography Igor Cukrov, born on June 6, 1984, is a Croatian singer-songwriter, musician, and television personality. From an early age, Igor showed a strong interest in music. In 1991, he won first prize in Moj prvi nastup, a competition led by Remi Kazinotti. Two years later, in 1993, he won first prize for the first voice of “Pojišan” school and secured third place among all schools in Split. In 1994, Igor participated in the children’s version of the Split Festival, singing “Mali vrabac.” His talent continued to shine, and in 2003 he won the first prize for the first voice of Šibenik-Knin County. By 2007, he performed at the Split Festival with his single “Duša mi je bili kamen” and earned a prize for the best debutant. He also gained valuable experience as a tenor with the a cappella Cambi singers. Igor gained significant media attention in 2008 when he participated in Operacija trijumf, the Balkan version of Endemol’s talent show Star Academy. The show, which began on September 29, 2008, featured young talents from the former SFR Yugoslavia. Igor impressed audiences with his diverse repertoire, singing opera songs like “Con te partirò” by Andrea Bocelli and rock songs like “Angie” by the Rolling Stones and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. Although he was expelled on the 13th gala event, judge Tonči Huljić later stated that Igor’s expulsion was an injustice. After Operacija trijumf, Igor aimed to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. He teamed up with Andrea Šušnjara and performed the song “Lijepa Tena,” written by Tonči Huljić. The song won the Croatian final, Dora, on February 28, 2008, and qualified for the Eurovision final from the second semi-final. The song finished in 18th place. In 2009, Igor released several singles, including “Mjesečar” and “Nebesa” (with Magazin). He continued to perform at various festivals, such as the Pjesma Mediterana in Budva, Montenegro, where he sang “Moja draga” in 2010. That same year, he also released “Prolij vino po meni” at the CMC festival Vodice. In 2011, he released the singles “Caca moj” and “Fali mi” under Hit Records, along with “Haljina na pruge.” In 2012, Igor performed “Dalmaciju minjat se ne može” at the Trogir fest and “Ajdemo jube” at the Splitski festival. He achieved third place at the Ohridski festival in Macedonia with “Korak po korak” in 2013 and released “Slučajno” featuring Ana Duderija-Šucur. In 2015, Igor continued to make waves with “Kraj mene si ti” featuring Bojan Delic at the Festival Suncane Skale in Montenegro. He also won first place at the Trogir festival with “Prida bi se mandolini.” His other notable singles include “Treba li mi netko kao ti” in 2010, “Za one što su kao mi” at the CMC festival Vodice in 2012, “Znaes li” at the Skopje fest in Macedonia in 2013, and “Sanjaj Hrvatska” at the CMC festival Vodice in 2013. Igor released “Jedna duša jedno tilo” in 2014 and “Jedino ti znaš me va dušu” in 2015 at the MiK – Melodije Istre i Kvarnera. In 2015, he also released “Volio sam cure” at the CMC festival Vodice and “E moj admirale” at the Splitski festival. In 2016, he released “Daruj sreću novim ljudima” under Hit Records, followed by “Da te zagrlim” in 2017. His most recent single, “Svoj na svome,” a collaboration with Mile Perkov, was featured at the CMC festival Vodice in 2022. Entries Lijepa Tena (& Andrea) Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2009 LanguageCroatian LyricsVjekoslava Huljić MusicTonči Huljić BackingsIvana ČabrajaJelena MajićSanja JukićKarmen Matković Results Semi Points: 33Position: 13 (backup jury qualifier)Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 45Position: 18 Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/jdLct2IqcLA?si=64z93hEYKaWmrV8G

Mira Awad

About Quick Facts NameMira Anwar Awad Born11 June 1975 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam 2009Kdam 2005 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongThere must be another way (& Noa) Biography Mira Anwar Awad is an Arab-Israeli singer, actress, TV host, composer, songwriter, and political activist. BiographyMira Awad was born on June 11, 1975, and grew up in the village of Rama in Israel. Her father, an Arab-Christian, is a family doctor, while her mother, a Bulgarian-Christian, specializes in Slavic languages. They met when her father was studying medicine in Bulgaria. Awad also identifies as Palestinian and is a graduate of the Rimon School of Music. Career Early Music Career At 16, Awad started her music career as the lead singer of the band “Samana,” which sang Western rock in Arabic. During the early 2000s, she hosted Zap L’Rishon on Channel 1 and participated in Festigal in 2002, performing the song “Tze El HaMasa,” which placed sixth. In 2005, she was part of Idan Raichel’s album “Mi’Ma’amakim,” singing the Arabic song “Azini”, which she wrote. That same year, Awad competed in the Kdam Eurovision with the song “Zman,” which came last. Eurovision and Albums 2009 marked a significant year as Awad, alongside Achinoam Nini, was chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. They sang “There Must Be Another Way”, a song about peace and coexistence, finishing in 16th place. Awad was the first Arab to represent Israel in Eurovision. In August of that year, she and Nini received an award from the Mayor of Lourdes in France. June 2009 saw the release of her first album, “Bahlawan”, featuring songs in Arabic and English, produced by guitarist Amos Ever-Hadani. A joint album with Nini, “There Must Be Another Way,” was also released, including Eurovision songs and a cover of the Beatles’ “We Can Work It Out.” Awad was named Arabic Singer of the Year by Kol Yisrael in 2009, with her album winning Album of the Year. She composed music for the Arabic solo performance “Not Noah’s Ark,” directed by actor Norman Issa, and won an award for Best Music at the Masrahid Arabic Solo Performance Festival. A recording contract with Sony followed in 2010, leading to the release of three international albums, starting with the first in 2011. “All My Faces,” her second album, produced by Sony and Carlos Jean, was released in April 2011. That same year, Awad performed at the Medal of Freedom ceremony in Philadelphia, where Bill Clinton awarded the Medal to Tony Blair. She also performed with Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli at Masada. Collaborations and New Projects Awad collaborated once again with Idan Raichel in 2013, singing “Ana Ana Wa’anta Anta,” meaning “I am I and you are you” on his album “Reva L’sheva.” In June of that year, she sang “Through Fire and Water” with the Israeli metal band Orphaned Land on their album “All Is One.” Theater Career After completing her studies at “Rimon,” Awad began acting in theater in 1998. She gained fame in 2002 for her role as Eliza Doolittle in the musical “My Fair Lady” at the Cameri Theater, alongside Oded Kotler as Professor Higgins. Her theatrical career continued with roles in the musical play “Another Place and a Foreign City” in 2006 and “This Great Sea” at the Cameri Theater in 2007. Awad was selected to join the “Excellence in Culture Fund” as a theater actress in 2008. Television and Film Awad’s television career includes hosting the program “Shvil HaSipurim” on Educational Television in 2003. From 2007 to 2013, she acted in the comedy series Arab Labor on Channel 2, playing Amal, a feminist Arab lawyer. She participated in the fifth season of the reality show Dancing with the Stars on Channel 2 in 2010. From 2012 to 2013, Awad co-hosted the TV show Achla Yom on Educational Television with fashion designer Yuval Caspin. She also appeared in the film Farewell Baghdad (directed by Nissim Dayan, based on the book by Eli Amir), released in 2014. In April 2014, Awad took part in the TEDxHIT-Interaction event, discussing walking a fine line between opposites (Acrobat – Bahlawan). Early 2019 saw the broadcast of the TV series “Muna” on Kan 11, created by Awad, for which she won the Shulamit Aloni Award in 2021. Personal Life Awad married Costa Mogilevich, an Israeli of Ukrainian-Jewish descent, in December 2013. The couple currently lives in London. Political Activity Awad ran for the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council in the 2008 municipal elections with the City for All party and is part of the Expanded Faction Forum guiding the party’s council members. She supported the Hadash party in the Israeli Knesset elections in 2009 and is a member of the Public Council of the New Israel Fund. Entries There must be another way (& Noa) Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2009 LanguageEnglishHebrewArabic LyricsGil DorAchinoam NiniMira Awad MusicGil DorAchinoam NiniMira Awad BackingsGil Dor?? Results Semi Points: 75Position: 7Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: 53Position: 16Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/bBTQFOkFZw8?si=ObDFCvUvJBnWcXzh

Noa

About Quick Facts NameAchinoam Nini Born23 June 1969 Nationality🇮🇱 Israeli National SelectionKdam Eurovision 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongThere must be another way (& Mira Awad, 2009) Biography Achinoam Nini (born June 23, 1969), also known as Noa, is an Israeli singer, composer, and left-wing activist. Biography Achinoam Nini was born in Tel Aviv to parents from Bat Yam. Her family moved to New York when she was two years old because her father, a chemical engineer, received a scholarship. She grew up in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, where she attended modern orthodox schools and studied singing and dance. At age 15, she started attending the High School of Performing Arts in New York. She also joined the Riverdale tribe of Tzofim Tzabar Scouts, which strengthened her connection to Hebrew and Israel. During a tour of Israel organized by the Society for the Protection of Nature, she met Asher Barak and fell in love with him. At 17, she returned to Israel alone, intending to stay for about a year. During this time, she studied at the Mae Boyar High School in Jerusalem and lived in a boarding school. She decided to stay in Israel, and after a few years, her parents followed. After completing high school, she served in the IDF’s Northern Command band, where she sang the song “Always 18.” Her early career saw her recording the song “Babel” for the soundtrack of the film “Notre Dame de Paris” by Gerald Pullicino in 1988. The song was in English, French, and Hebrew and became a hit in France in 1989. Achinoam Nini’s acceptance to the Rimon School of Music in 1990 marked a significant turn in her career, where she met guitarist and arranger Gil Dor. They started working together as a musical duo. The duo performed at the international jazz festival in Eilat in 1990. Following this, they released their first album, “Achinoam Nini and Gil Dor Live” in July 1991. Their second album, “Achinoam Nini Gil Dor,” came out in September 1993, featuring songs by Leah Goldberg and Rachel, including the hit “Boi Kala.” Her international career began in 1994 with the album “Noa.” She collaborated with many international artists and performed for Pope John Paul II in 1994 and 2000. Continuing her music journey, she released “Calling” in May 1996, “Achinoam Nini” in April 1997, and “Achinoam Nini and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra” in April 1998. Further albums include “Blue Touches Blue” in March 2000, “Now” in September 2002, and “Noa Live” in October 2005. She explored new sounds with “Napoli-Tel Aviv” in September 2006 and “Genes and Jeans” in March 2008. In 2009, she collaborated with Mira Awad on “There Must Be Another Way.” Chosen to represent Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest in January 2009, she performed the song with Mira Awad in Hebrew, English, and Arabic, finishing in 16th place. The creative journey continued with “Noapolis – Noa Sings Napoli” in February 2011, “Eretz, Shir” in April 2011, “Love Medicine” in June 2014, and “Letters to Bach” in 2019. In 2023, she was selected to perform at the championship celebrations of Napoli. Political Positions Achinoam Nini frequently expresses left-wing political views. She participated in a left-wing demonstration in Jerusalem in May 2010, supporting “one capital for two peoples.” Ahead of the UN session in September 2012, where Palestinians declared statehood, she criticized Netanyahu’s government, saying it did not represent her. She performed at an alternative memorial ceremony for Jewish and Palestinian bereaved families and faced boycotts from right-wing groups. In January 2017, she compared US President Donald Trump to Hitler and called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vulgar and racist. She actively participated in protests against Benjamin Netanyahu and the thirty-seventh Israeli government, which sometimes led to the cancellation of her performances. Nini serves as a board member of the New Israel Fund. After the surprise attack on Israel in October 2023, she was involved in organizing a letter condemning violence against Israeli civilians and calling for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Personal Life Achinoam Nini is married to pediatrician Asher Barak, and they have three children. She has been a vegetarian since 2011. Her sister, Odia Nini, is also a singer-songwriter. Awards In 2006, she was awarded the title of “Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity” by the President of Italy. In 2019, she received the Shulamit Aloni Lifetime Achievement Award. Entries There must be another way (& Mira Awad) Country🇮🇱 Israel Year2009 LanguageEnglishHebrewArabic LyricsGil DorAchinoam NiniMira Awad MusicGil DorAchinoam NiniMira Awad BackingsGil Dor?? Results Semi Points: 75Position: 7Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: 53Position: 16Running order: 2 https://youtu.be/bBTQFOkFZw8?si=acmzkXO5AkmFsjxr

Susanne Georgi

About Quick Facts NameSusanne Jonah-Lynn Georgi Born27 July 1976 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionPassaport a Moscou 2009Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2007 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongLa teva decisió (Get a Life) (2009) Biography Early Life and Career Beginnings Susanne Georgi was born on July 27, 1976, in Sjølund, Denmark. From a young age, she displayed a keen interest in music, nurtured by a supportive family environment. Her early years were marked by a dedication to strengthen her vocal skills and an ambition to break into the music industry. Formation of Me & My In the early 1990s, Susanne, along with her sister Pernille Georgi, formed the pop duo Me & My. The duo quickly gained recognition for their catchy pop tunes and infectious energy. Their breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of their debut single, “Dub-I-Dub.” The song became an international hit, charting in several countries and establishing Me & My as a prominent act in the Eurodance scene. The success of “Dub-I-Dub” was followed by the release of their self-titled debut album, which included other popular tracks like “Baby Boy” and “Loving You.” The album’s upbeat and danceable style resonated with fans worldwide, solidifying the duo’s reputation. Continued Success and Evolution Me & My continued to release music throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, adapting their style to the evolving music landscape. Their second album, “Let the Love Go On,” released in 1999, showcased a more mature sound while still retaining their signature pop essence. The title track became a fan favorite, and the album received positive reviews for its growth and diversity in musical arrangements. The duo’s ability to reinvent themselves while staying true to their roots allowed them to maintain a loyal fan base. They continued to perform across Europe, delighting audiences with their energetic performances and nostalgic hits. In 2007, Me & My participated in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “Two Are Stronger Than One” reached a 6th place in the national final. Solo Career and Personal Life In addition to her work with Me & My, Susanne Georgi embarked on a solo career. She relocated to Andorra in 1995, where she became deeply involved in the local music scene. Her solo work demonstrated her versatility as an artist, exploring various genres and showcasing her vocal prowess. Susanne’s commitment to music extended beyond performing. She became a prominent figure in Andorra’s entertainment industry, working as a television host and participating in various music-related projects. Her efforts contributed significantly to promoting Andorran culture and music on an international stage. Eurovision and Advocacy Susanne was chosen to represent Andorra in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2009, she performed the song “La Teva Decisió” (“Get a Life”) in the competition. Although the song did not advance to the final, Susanne’s performance was praised for its heartfelt delivery and catchy melody. In recent years, Susanne has been an advocate for Andorra’s return to the Eurovision Song Contest. Her dedication to this cause highlights her enduring love for music and her desire to see Andorran talent shine on a global platform. Entries La Teva Decisió (Get A Life) Country🇦🇩 Andorra Year2009 LanguageEnglishCatalan LyricsRune BrågerMarcus Winther-JohnLene DissingSusanne GeorgiPernille GeorgiJosep Roca MusicRune BrågerMarcus Winther-JohnLene DissingSusanne GeorgiPernille Georgi BackingsMaría Ángeles Barahona PaisanOlga Romero PazBelinda Sánchez LealSusana Ribalta Ponce Results Semi Points: 8Position: 15Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovAVtq3gyB4

Petr Elfimov

About Quick Facts NamePetr Petrovich Elfimov Born15 February 1980 Nationality🇧🇾 Belarusian National SelectionEurofest 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongEyes That Never Lie (2009) Biography Petr Petrovich Elfimov was born on February 15, 1980, in Mogilev, Belarus, into a family of musicians. He started his musical education at the age of 6, focusing on the trumpet. In 1994, Elfimov enrolled in the Mogilev Gymnasium-College of Music and Choreography, specializing in choir conducting. During his time there, he was a soloist in the studio Double V, winning the television contest for young pop artists, Zornaya Rostan-96. In 1998, he joined the Belarusian State Academy of Music, where he studied academic singing in the vocal-choral department. From August 2003 to June 2004, he was a member of the ensemble Pesnyary. In 2004, Elfimov won the Grand Prix at the International Pop Song Performers Contest “Vitebsk-2004,” part of the “Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk” festival. He graduated with a master’s degree from the Belarusian State Academy of Music in 2009. Elfimov represented Belarus as a backing vocalist for the duo “Alexandra and Konstantin” at Eurovision 2004 with the song “My Galileo.” Although the song did not make it to the final, it marked the beginning of his association with the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2006, he released his debut album “Ya Khochu,” followed by “Kolokola” in 2007 and “S novym rozhdeniyem” in 2009. On January 19, 2009, Elfimov won the Belarusian national selection for Eurovision 2009 with the song “Eyes That Never Lie.” He performed at the Eurovision semi-final in Moscow, finishing 13th, which did not qualify him for the final. From July 17 to 25, 2010, Elfimov competed at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood, Los Angeles. He represented Belarus in five categories and won five gold medals. In the fall of 2013, Elfimov participated in the second season of the popular Russian TV show Golos (The Voice), reaching the quarterfinals as part of Leonid Agutin’s team. In 2015, he competed in the TV pop song contest Glavnaya stsena (Main Stage) on Russia-1, winning the competition based on viewers’ votes. On September 8, 2011, Elfimov performed the song “Kolokola” at a memorial evening in Minsk-Arena, dedicated to the Yaroslavl “Lokomotiv” hockey players who died in a plane crash. Petr Elfimov released his album “Kniga otkroveniy” in 2012, and “Glavnaya rol” in 2015. In the same year, Elfimov starred in the film “Ukrast Belmondo” (Steal Belmondo). Since November 15, 2018, Elfimov has been the vocalist and songwriter for the heavy-power band Gran-Kurazh. His concert repertoire includes works ranging from hard rock to romance, featuring pieces by Vladimir Mulyavin, Igor Luchenok, Deep Purple, Czeslaw Niemen, and classical composers. With Gran-Kurazh, he released a studio album “Epokhi, geroi i sudby” in 2021. He also released EPs such as “Eyforiya” in 2022 and “Skomorokh” in 2023, along with the live album “IX zhizney” in 2022. In 2024, Petr released a new album: “Legendy mira iz ognya”. His music videos include “Moya dusha” in 2008, “Eyes That Never Lie” in 2009, “Shag navstrechu” in 2016, “Vybor yest!” in 2017, and “Tsarstvo dikikh lyudey” in 2021. Throughout his career, Petr Elfimov has received numerous accolades, including the Medal of Francysk Skaryna. In his personal life, he was first married to Natalya Dementyeva. He is now married to Tatyana Kosmacheva, with whom he has a daughter named Polina. Entries Eyes That Never Lie Country🇧🇾 Belarus Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsValery Prokhozhy MusicPetr Elfimov BackingsAnton ToimentsauEkaterina MatskevichPhilip MazurovDmitry MikulichYan Zhenchak Results Semi Points: 25Position: 13Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6824_LUFgE8

Copycat

About Quick Facts NamePatrick Ouchène Born05 December 1966 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionInternal selection 2009 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongCopy Cat (2009) Biography Patrick Ouchène is a Belgian musician best known for his role as the lead singer of the rockabilly band Runnin’ Wild. Born in Belgium, Ouchène developed a passion for music at a young age, drawing inspiration from classic rock and roll and rockabilly sounds. His unique voice and charismatic stage presence quickly made him a standout figure in the European rockabilly scene. Ouchène’s musical career took a significant leap forward when he formed Runnin’ Wild, a band that gained a reputation for its energetic performances and authentic rockabilly style. The group became a fixture in the European rockabilly circuit, playing at numerous festivals and events, and earning a loyal fan base. In addition to his work with Runnin’ Wild, Patrick Ouchène is also known for representing Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. Performing under the stage name “Copycat,” Ouchène brought a retro rock and roll flair to the contest with his song “Copycat,” a homage to Elvis Presley. However, there was a lot of criticism about the song, according to Elvis-fans being disrespectful to The King. Ouchène ended up getting only one point in the semifinal. In 2012 Crystal, the daughter of Patrick Ouchène, became the lead singer of Runnin’ Wild. In April 2013, the band won the Belgian edition of Hard Rock Rising, an international competition hosted by Hard Rock Café. They released the EP “Free The Demoons”. In 2015 the album “Good Taste In Bad Friends” came out. Inj 2018, In 2016, Ouchène joined the group Mike Fanton & The Bop-A-Tones, and released the single “Fantomas Rock” and the album “Too Hot To Bop”. The group kept on performing and, with a changed line up, continued in 2018. Also in 2018, Crystal & Runnin’ Wild released a new album, “The Midnight Creature”. Crystal & Runnin’ Wild had their goodbye concert in October 2019. After this, he moved to France, but due to COVID19 got stuck in Morocco. At his return to Brussels in August 2020, Patrick started offering guitar lessons. In 2021, Crystal & Runnin’ Wild made a comeback. He also started performing again with Mike Fanton & The Bop-A-Tones. In 2022, Patrick also joined another band: The Floridas. They gave a few performers. In 2023, he joined The Scoundrells. The band was supposed to be a new version of Patrick’s old group The Dominos. One of the members is Jules Sautier, Patrick’s son! Entries Copy Cat Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2009 LanguageEnglish LyricsJacques Duvall MusicBenjamin Schoos BackingsMiami Monster Miam (Benjamin Schoos)Lenn DauphinMiss T Blue (Marie-Ange Tchaï-Teeuwen)Miss D Lite (Desta Hailé) Results Semi Points: 1Position: 17Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FXJu6SJdVvA?si=jGSDKSK-TDCvbCka

Gipsy.cz

About Quick Facts MembersRadoslav ‘Gipsy’ BangaVojta LavičkaNoemi FialováTibor ŽidaMatěj ČernýOliver Lipenský Active2004-2013 Nationality🇨🇿 Czech National SelectionEurosong 2009Eurosong 2008Eurosong 2007 In Eurovision2009 Moscow SongAven Romale (2009) Biography Gipsy.cz was a Czech Romani hip hop group renowned for their innovative fusion of hip hop and traditional Romani music. The band’s lyrics were primarily sung in the Romani language, with some songs featuring Czech and English. They have made significant strides in the music industry, gaining international recognition and acclaim. Early History and Formation: 2004-2008 In 2004, rapper Radovan “Radek” Banga released his solo album “Ya favourite Cd Rom.” Shortly thereafter, he met violinist Vojta Lavička and brothers Jan (upright bass) and Petr Surmaj (guitar and accordion). Together, they formed Gipsy.cz, blending their diverse musical backgrounds to create a unique sound. The band’s rise to fame began in 2006 with the release of their single “Romano Hip Hop,” from their debut album of the same name. This single reached the MTV World Chart Express and was later certified Gold in the Czech Republic. That same year, Gipsy.cz won the Discovery of the Year award at the Anděl Awards, marking their breakthrough into the mainstream music scene. In 2007, Gipsy.cz participated in the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Muloland,” finishing in second place. They achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Czech group to perform at the prestigious Glastonbury Festival. Additionally, their song “Jednou” was included in the “Gypsy Groove” compilation album published by Putumayo in 2007. The following year, at the 2008 Český slavík awards, they won the Rising Star of the Year award. With the song “Benga Beat”, they participated in the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest again. In June 2008, they released their second studio album, “Reprezent,” which reached second place on the World Music Chart in Europe and stayed there for four weeks. The album included the controversial song “A na závěr si s námi dejte trochu té Čunárny,” which mocked politician Jiří Čunek known for his anti-Roma comments. To avoid legal issues, Gipsy.cz released an alternate version of the song without the offending lyrics. Eurovision and Continued Success: 2009-2013 In January 2009, Jan and Petr Surmaj left the band. New members joined, including Tomáš Baroš on electric upright bass and Jan Sochor on accordion. This year marked a significant achievement as Gipsy.cz finally succeeded in representing the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow with their song “Aven Romale.” Unfortunately, they finished last in the first semi-final without receiving any points. In 2011, Gipsy.cz toured Australia as part of the Karavan Festival and released their third studio album, “Desperado.” This album showcased the band’s ability to blend diverse musical influences while staying true to their Romani roots. Two years later, they issued their fourth record, “Upgrade,” further solidifying their presence in the music industry. That was the last album, released by Gipsy.cz as a group. Throughout their career, Gipsy.cz has received several accolades. They were nominated for the Best Hip Hop Album at the 2005 Anděl Awards. In 2006, they received nominations for Best Album in the World and Best New Artist, winning the latter. Band Members The last lineup of Gipsy.cz included Radoslav Banga aka Gipsy on vocals, Tomáš Baroš on electric upright bass, Jan Sochor on accordion, and Viliam Didiáš on violin. Past members who contributed to the band’s success include Vojta Lavička on violin and vocals, Noemi Fialová on violin and vocals, Tibor Žida on guitar and vocals, Matěj Černý on bass, Oliver Lipenský on drums, and the Surmaj brothers, Petr on guitar and accordion and Jan on electric upright bass. With a discography that includes “Romano Hip Hop” (2006), “Reprezent” (2008), “Desperado” (2011), and “Upgrade” (2013), Gipsy.cz continued to inspire and innovate within the music world. After 2013, Radoslav Banga aka as Gipsy continued solo. Entries Aven Romale Country🇨🇿 Czechia Year2009 LanguageRomaniEnglish LyricsRadoslav ‘Gipsy’ Banga MusicRadoslav ‘Gipsy’ Banga Backings– Results Semi Points: 0Position: 18Running order: 2 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/F39OvgrEEpg?si=hEv9lZXnTrUNYgTo