JUNIOR EUROVISION 2012 IN AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
We continue with our flashbacks today! Amsterdam hosted the 2012 edition (Previous winner Georgia was denied hosting rights, once again), bringing us back to the land of windmills, tulips, and bitterballen.
THE WINNER
Ten-year-old Anastasiya from Ukraine won that year. Her song was called “Nebo” (Sky), but she was styled more like an ice princess to fit the theme. Is this where Disney got their design for Elsa from?
The song marked a new era for the contest: more mature songs could win the contest rather than cutesy songs. “Nebo” was a psychedelic composition with techno influence, a divisive piece that ended up winning most over. This revolutionary style would carry over to the 2013 and 2014 contests.
THE BEST OF THE REST
Russia took a cue from Sweden and sent a schlager entry that year. Lerika, a returning artist with a heritage only slightly less interesting than Josie Zec, represented the largest country with the song “Sensatsiya” (Sensation). She ended in fourth place, two places better than her sixth for Moldova the year prior.
http://youtu.be/VMvll0Z8LI4?t=38s
UNSUNG HEROES
Albania’s début appeared to be a strong one, with Igzidora Gjeta’s jazz number “Kam një këngë vetëm për ju” (I Have a Song Just For You). However, as much as Igzidora was on point that night, her staging was awful. She was alone on the big stage and was not able to werk it. If she had some backing dancers, she might have done better, but she was only able to scrounge 35 points, more than two thirds of which were from Azerbaijan and Executive Superviser Vlad.
http://youtu.be/qNz1QtlDPXc?t=35s
THE HOSTS WITH THE MOST
Although we seriously wished that Georgia had the opportunity to host just so that they could host for once, the Netherlands did a spectacular job at showing off their best young artists. The opening act featured Rachel, who had sung “Ik ben een teenager” the year before and placed second. She performed “Euphoria” for the audience.
The Netherlands’ sole victor in JESC as of yet also sang. Ralf performed “This Is Our Party” in the interval act.
http://youtu.be/lPOmk-Ym74M
Also performing in the interval was famous Dutch superstar and hostess, Kim-Lian van der Meij.
http://youtu.be/zQG85KPb0PI
And of course, we can’t forget about the host entry that year, Femke’s “Tik Tak Tik”.
Who was your favorite and least favorite in 2012? Tell us in the comments!
http://youtu.be/qMjAuMI4AvU
My favorite of the year was Sweden’s quiet power, “Mitt Mod”. I purely love it. Than comes “Let The Music Win”, “Nebo”, “Sensatsiya”, “Tik Tak Tik” and “Sweetie Baby”.
Ukraine is best winner form me in history of this contest.
My TOP 3
1.Ukraine
2.Armenia
3.The Netherlands
i simply loved russia that year still dissapointed with her fourth place
My winner was Ukraine but I also enjoyed Russia, Armenia, Netherlands, Sweden, and Israel. Albania had one of the worst songs ever written they would’ve placed last no matter what their staging was like.
Favourite: Russia
Last: Armenia
Also just a correction: The Netherlands had already been announced as the hosts prior to the 2011 contest, as during the Dutch votes in 2011 the host said “Now the votes from the host of the 2012 Junior Eurovision, The Netherlands “, so Georgia weren’t denied the contest the host was already chosen beforehand, like in all previous years