Last night the doors opened on the Eurovision Pre-Party in Riga, marking the official start of Eurovision 2018 promo season. Latvia welcomed participants and Euro-fans from all over Europe. Wiwibloggers Padraig and Chris attended, rubbing shoulders with the stars and grabbing several interviews along the way.
One of our top priorities? Lithuania’s Ieva Zasimauskaité, who won Europe’s longest national final in Lithuania. She tells us all about the very long journey and helps us with the pronunciation of her last name.
Ieva Zasimauskaité: Riga Pre-Party Interview
Ieva will represent her native country with the ballad “When We’re Old”. But this is not her first time trying to fly the Lithuanian flag at Eurovision.
She tells us she wasn’t really planning on taking part in Eurovizijos 2018, as she had already been a part of it four years in a row. But after Vytautas Bikus, the writer of the song, called Ieva and told her that he had a song for that might win this year she went over to his house to have a listen. She fell in love and decided to try her chances for the fifth year in a row. She sure doesn’t regret that now!
Ieva tells us that even though she didn’t write the song herself she relates to the very personal story. It’s about a couple growing old together and she thinks of her husband while she’s singing.
When asked “what is old?”, Ieva says that she imagines the last moments of her life. And no matter what is happening with her in the twilight of her life, she wants to hold her husband’s hand. It’s adorable and very romantic.
Does she have a final message for all you fans out there?
“Don’t look at a country when you vote, just look with your heart. And if you like that song and if you like that artist, don’t think this is from [that country], I will not vote for it….Just be kind. We are making music here and we want to get out from those walls and get out of those wars and everything. Just vote how you are really feeling and with your heart.”
Do you think Ieva’s message is a good one? What do you think of her performance? And what are your thoughts on this year’s Lithuanian entry? Tell us in the comments section below.
Ieva Zasimauskait? -Kiltinavi?ien?. The husband’s surname is forgotten.
Ieva Zasimauskaite- Kiltinaviciene.
It’s Zasimauskait?, not Zasimauskaité
(That’s an overdot on the e rather than an accent)
I don’t know that’s happening but on every post there are some Greek fans which are really rude in some way. This post is about LITHUANIA!!!!
I only like her because she survived this national selection. Poor girl, she’s been through a lot to represent her country
Salvador would love her, shes even following him on Instagram. Her song is just beautiful but i fear she might not qualify. i hope im wrong.
Why some Greeks are over nationalist about their entry? It’s fine but it’s not the resurrection of Michael Jackson!
For me, Greece’s best entry this last years is “Rise Up” in 2014. 2018 is meh.
I don’t listen to Eurovision songs to listen to a nationalistic message. Plus, it’s not like if ethno-ballads are original at all. “Oniro mou” sounds like a Greek version of “Molitva”.
Nope. At #27. I love the ethno-vibes but apart from that pretty boring and a bit clichéd. Yes, I have read the lyrics.
But at the end, it shouldn’t matter because there are different opinions.
In last few year, juries more looked to which country to vote then televote. We saw every year juries from Azerbeijan put Armenia on last place, same thing did Armenia juries with Azerbaijan….
The countries are at war so it’s predictable.
Please tell that to the Lithuanian’s here…bloody Fudsmarc won our televote last year, doesn’t get lower than that.
Are you serious? How dare you showing such disrespect towards the songs of other countries? How dare you talking in the name of all Greeks? Whom are you representing?
Everyone has the right to express their opinion, fully in agreement. Everyone has the right to support their country, fully in agreement. However, there are what we call “manners” and a sense of respect towards other countries, songs, people. We are not alone in this world. As for me, I serve my country through trying to be respectful towards other countries and nations. I think that’s more than enough.
I personally am not really proud of Greeks supporting Greece through defaming other countries. No matter whether we enjoy a song or not, all songs deserve respect. And no, I am sorry, it’s not a matter of whether this person has a good grasp of English or not. His/her statements are just obnoxious, toxic, aggressive, and arrogant.
Wow at her refusing the only televote points she’s getting aka Ireland’s.
Where this anger coming from? You clearly hate her or the country she is from. What happened in the past? I don’t need you to love her, but does this really makes you happy? I am just wondering what makes you act the way you act.
Your bias is showing. Lithuania will get points from UK, Estonia and Belarus. Also, the other countries, duh. It’s a nice emotional ballad that lots of people will like. You don’t have to! But to act like no one likes the song (it’s doing good on Youtube which is a good sign) and it will only get points because of Lithuanian migrants is stupid.
I said thinking Lithuania will only get points from Ireland (because of Lithuanian migrants in that country) is stupid.
You’re just one person. I don’t think Lithuania ever thought of getting the Greek vote. As many people pointed out, a lot of friendly countries to Lithuania vote in SF1: United Kingdom, Ireland, Estonia and Belarus.
No need to worry, a lot of people will vote for Ieva and her song.
Her song reminds me a lot of Luísa Sobral, similar voices and styles.
Could this mean Vilnius 2019? 🙂
Luisa sweetie I’m so sorry…
She don t have problem with heart and she don t suport emigrants like Sobral.
Wrong spelling.
Composers’ surname is Bikus, not Bykus
Has been fixed, thanks for pointing that out 🙂
The first semi-finals are super strong, the best Eurovision songs, but Ieva will be in the final, because she is also the best.
Booting- no final
She’s my crush this year, replacing Almartina from last yr.
I actually think that she can qualify, unless she gets a really bad running order. Not gonna be higher than 7th though.
aww… such a cute performance
Are you always going to mention that Lithuania has the longest national selection in every article of lithuania 😀
Yes…Ieva is a survivor!
when is the lithuania reaction video