Bulgaria’s Lidia served sugary sweet realness. Georgia’s Mariam worked it Broadway style. And Serbia’s Dunja owned her hoverboard. But in the end one act rose above the rest. After counting 2,413 votes, we can now reveal that Russia’s Water Of Life Project had the best first rehearsal on Wednesday, according to our readers.

The group, led by their star Sofia Fisenko, finished in first place with the Wiwi Jury. And on Wednesday morning they justified their landslide victory by delivering a haunting and somehow inspiring performance of their Junior Eurovision song “Water of Life”.

This is our video of their second rehearsal on Friday

It starts with the four songstresses seated on the floor, with the outer two singers in blue dresses, and Sofia and another singer in matching orange ones. The patterns look indigenous and ethnic, perhaps hinting at man’s tribal roots — which fit with the spiritual, other-worldy quality of the song. The LED features water droplets that erupt upwards. Another highlight? Sofia’s Rapunzel-like hair which falls in long waves down to her waist. The performance ends with the girls standing close and forming a heart with their elbows. It’s very “We Are The World” and memorable. Vocally they were flawless, mixing power and control to create stirring harmonies.

Bulgaria and Georgia rounded out the Top 3.

Best Rehearsal: November 16 — Full Results

  1. Russia: Water Of Life Project “Water Of Life” 496 votes, 20.56%
  2. Bulgaria: Lidia Ganeva “Magical Day 463, 19.19%
  3. Georgia: Mariam Mamadashvili “Mzeo” 332, 13.76%
  4. Armenia: Anahit & Mary “Tarber” 233, 9.66%
  5. Australia: Alexa Curtis “We Are” 211, 8.74%
  6. Ukraine: Sofia Rol “Planet craves for love” 205, 8.5%
  7. Albania: Klesta Qehaja “Besoj” 176, 7.29%
  8. Belarus: Alexander Minyonok “Musyka Moih Pobed” 156, 6.46%
  9. Serbia: Dunja Jelicic “U La La La” 141, 5.84%

What do you think? Can Russia go on and win the competition, or can any other act rise up? Let us know in the comments section below…

VOTE IN ALL OF OUR POLLS

READ ALL OF OUR REHEARSAL REVIEWS

FOLLOW ALL OF OUR JUNIOR EUROVISION 2016 COVERAGE

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)

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Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

I wonder if their act would last for 5 seconds and all we’ll see is just 4 silent bodies laying on the floor would wiwi declare ’em as a winner too? I’m a firm believer they will 🙂 because it’s Russia I have mixed feelings about this act. Girl with Ukrainian/Belarusian surname compete for Russia (that’s the only positive thing) but the performance is rather dull, girls act like someone forced them to sing and move, not to mention awkward gestures and crippled heart at the end – that was creepy. “Dont you leave us behind” sounds like they beg… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Way too overrated. Boring performance, and the song is too boring for a children’s contest as well. Would be a great pick for ESC.

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Uhh no. Russia for me has the best song and sone of the best voices this year. But this rehearsal was nothing special. Theres no chemistry and no joh in being there coming across from any of them. That is what it really takes to have a chance of winning, it worked for Destiny, Vincenzo, Gaia etc.

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

If only Sofia (Fisenko) used a handheld mic, and the other three (3) members had headset ones. 🙁

dutchie
dutchie
7 years ago

It’s a cute, folksy song, and the performance is cute as well, but isn’t it just a tiny bit… boring?

Married
Married
7 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HK5iwQDzlM

Krista Siegfrids’ new video!

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

I’m a bit disappointed with Russia’s rehearsals… being one of the favourites to win, I expected more

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

Who is 9’th? It says 140 votes, but not to whom.