belarus eurovision 2017 NAVI band Gistoriya maygo zhytstsya

Questionable lyrics, dated melodies, naked men with wolves, a habit of totally revamping (or ditching) songs ahead of Eurovision — Belarus always makes us smile and scratch our heads. So wiwibloggers William and Deban were particularly excited to sit down and listen to the 13 songs competing in Belarus’ national selection for Eurovision 2017.

The contest will unfold on January 20, giving a professional jury and members of the Belarusian public a chance to express themselves. But before they cast judgment we thought we’d get in on the action too by filming our first reaction. This video is candid and we haven’t received any behind-the-scenes paybacks, though if you’d like to send us one we’ll happily pass along our bank details. We accept euros, British pounds and Vietnamese dong.

This year’s contest features a few returnees including NAVI, who are serving some Native American tribal guitar realness, and NAPOLI, who, bizarrely, will represent Poland at this year’s edition of Turkvizyon — the alternative Eurovision Song Contest for countries with large Turkic communities.

We’ve been running a poll on wiwibloggs since November 30 and so far NAVI has a commanding lead with 26% of all votes cast. Their song “Gistoriya maygo zhytstsya”, which infuses a barnyard stomper with traditional Belarusian sounds, is high-energy and instantly memorable, which catapults it above the competition (most of whom seem to have misplaced their choruses).

Who should sing for Belarus at Eurovision 2017? (Results as of December 10)

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Total votes: 1,965
Which songs stood out to you on first listen? And which ones have remained on your playlist? Let us know in the comments box below.

Read more Belarus Eurovision news

12 Comments
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vlvikin
vlvikin
7 years ago

Navi have little chance of a successful selection. They sing in Belarus language. Belarusian jury does not like this language. 🙁

Edu
Edu
7 years ago

It’s a bit outdated, but I loved the Anzhelika Pushnova song. What a great key change! And the strings are awesome. It should be louder!

I didn’t fell in love with the vocals and the strange noisy in some parts…. But it’s a winners to my ears.

Crumbs
Crumbs
7 years ago

@Oxana, oh dear. Do you feel nostalgic for 1965? Don’t be envious about Belarus. In the century when they are producing nanochips, plasma screens, parts for boeing plane, tractors, high tech furnitures and futuristic transportation means, your home country — Ukraine — is fighting against its own citizens and breaks its previous record of corruption every year. I love Belarusians and yheir mentality. And “Soviet” doesn’t mean tasteless. It complies with its own aesthetics of modesty.

Johan
Johan
7 years ago

@(J)ESC Fanatic: Fully agree. Kattie has very big chances to win NF in Belarus. She has good voice and strong song ‘Wild Wind’ with good message.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

interesting selection of 13 songs from 67 available. this short list contains most ugly thing aka Lemont an something starving but “professional jury” eliminated very strong Belarusian songs (in Belarusian language) from Dasha Matveeva (“Kryla, Wings” – nice pop-folk song and her voice is gorgeous comparing to 90% of finalists) and Petr Klyuev (“Chamu, Why” – song in Belarusian language, great vocal and tune). So now only Navi will represent song in own language and it’s not the best song lets be honest, they have nil chances to win NF (is it 4th time they try?) Also if you haven’t… Read more »

escAU
7 years ago

sending william some vietnamese dong only if he’ll make me some pho 😉

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

William and Deban disageeing = lots of YouTube views. 🙂

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

I don’t understand….. Why Vietnamese dong? I love that deban keeps saying love it to everything and William is like no.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

oh god im cackling at every second of that reaction video where can i send mmy euros pounds or vietnamese dongs

Cateleen
Cateleen
7 years ago

Off topic: Vahe and Lucy just got eliminated from Armenia’s first semi-final.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

Same, I LOVE these videos!

And of course #KattieForTheWin.

pasi
pasi
7 years ago

I really love your reaction videos!!! 🙂