It’s over! After a marathon show with 13 finalists and plenty of interval acts, NAVIBAND have won Belarus’ national selection. NAVI will now go on and represent the country in Kyiv with the song “Historyja majho zyccia” (The Story of My Life).

NAVI – “Historyja majho zyccia” live at Belarus national final

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIo43HKOUmg

NAVI were our reader’s favourite in our pre-contest poll. They also finished first with the Wiwi Jury.

Wiwibloggers William wrote: “This song has character and personality in spades and it sounds current but indigenous at the same time. The singers’ charisma and chemistry make me smile and the vocals are as delightful.”

Mikhail agreed, commenting: “This song creates a mood and it is so good. It’s simple, yet very effective and catchy.”

The mood was certainly positive in the arena for NAVI too, with fans audibly chanting for the band. It wasn’t quite so simple for them, though. In the televote, NAVI only placed fifth. The SMS voting favoured PROvokatsiya, with NAPOLI, July and Anastasiya Sheverenko ahead of them.

Belarusian Eurovision fans have commented on our YouTube channel that many of the successful televote acts have producers behind them, who are able to court televotes through promotion and other means.

Thankfully the jury turned all of that around.

The 50/50 split in voting — a change from the 2016 rules — saw NAVI receive the full 12 points from the jury.

In comparison, PROvokatsiya received 0 points from the jury….but still managed to win the televote. Apparently viewers were able to overlook the fact they resembled singers waiters poised to deliver shrimp cocktail.

But the points fell in line enough for NAVI to be victorious, putting them just clear of Nuteki.

The result seems to offer a degree of confirmation to what we had written in Nuteki’s Wiwi Jury review.

“NAVI has authenticity and friendliness on its side, but Nuteki has the gloss,” we wrote. “Belarus will have to decide what matters more.”

Belarus Eurofest 2017 — Final Results

Running order

  1. July – “Children of the World”
  2. Lexy Weaver – “Be Stronger”
  3. Vladislav Kurasov – “Follow the Play “
  4. Navi – “Historyja majho zyccia”
  5. Isaac Nightingale – “On the Red Line”
  6. Kattie – “Wild Wind”
  7. Nuteki – “Take My Heart”
  8. Napoli – “Let’s Come Together”
  9. Nikita Hodas – “Voices in My Head”
  10. Angelica Pushnova – “We Should Be Together”
  11. Anastasiya Sheverenko – “We’ll Be Together”
  12. Lermont x Julic – “Heartbeat”
  13. PROvokatsiya – “My Love”

Congratulations to NAVI then, who we’ll be seeing in Kyiv! Do you think that NAVI deserved to win? What do you think their chances will be in Kyiv? Let us know in the comments section below!

READ ALL OUR BELARUS NEWS HERE

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Nikos
Nikos
7 years ago

I liked Nuteki’s song a lot but Navi was #2 for me so I am happy for Belarus. I hope they keep the song in Belarusian. We do need variety in the contest.

I think this is a rare case of a song that can do well between two strong, pop/ballad entries. There, people will notice the feel-good energy and sweetness of this song and (hopefully) vote for it.

Between weak entries this will have a hard time grabbing attention and standing out on its own.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@Charles: This is a EuroVISION Song Contest, not a EuroRADIO Song Contest. Do you understand the difference now? 🙂

Pavel
Pavel
7 years ago

Will finish dead last in the SF.
But sadly it was the best the national selection had to offer

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

I think it’s the first time I actually like an entry from Belarus! This is quite good and I’m so happy it’s in Belarusian! Hope it makes the final. 😉

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Rubbish

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

YES!! I’m so happy NAVI won! A different song, with folk elements which can stand out! Good luck to Belarus!!

esc1234
esc1234
7 years ago

people have lost their minds. probably they will come last in their semi final

clara isz
clara isz
6 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Aaaand they qualified 😉

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

@an esc fan: This is Eurovision SONG contest and not Eurovision STAGE/LED contest … focus more on what our ears are giving you and less on what your eyes are getting cause this is not another Project Runaway episode although, to be honest, the crowd if filled with so many Tim Gunns. Keep your ears on and let your eyes sleep for a while. Thanks.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

Now I’m impressed … for once Belarus has impressed me … a beautiful folk melody very well sung … they deserve all praise indeed … but do me a favour: KEEP ENGLISH LYRICS AWAY from this. This is not meant to be in English even if Mumford & Sons were to record it … it speaks more truthfully sung in Belorussian. This obsession with every single entry needing to be in English is sickening … learn to enjoy music and feel it regardless the language it is expressed in, people. The “hey hey hey” chorus it typical chiché in Eurovision… Read more »

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
7 years ago

In this case I am grateful the jury punished the televote favourite, but its a bit a weird too. Concerning the winner: I like the fact that it is in Belarussian, but that’s where my sympathy is running out. repetitive song, way too screamy. No chance for a final I think in Kyiv. NOne of the entries was good enough to win IMHO.

This is my opinion (TIMO)
This is my opinion (TIMO)
7 years ago

DEAR GOD…THIS IS RIDICULOUSLY MAKES ME HUNGRY FOR REAL MUSIC. .YES WE NEED TO HEAR PROPER SONG NOT THIS DISGRACEFUL THING. .WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO FIND IN THIS? ???????????? PLEASE TAKE THIS AWAY. I BELIEVE OFCOURSE THAT THIS WILL NO WAY BE ENTERED IN FINAL STOP IN SEMIFINAL AND DISAPPEAR…

Vlad
Vlad
7 years ago

NAVI are incredible)))

Maya G
Maya G
7 years ago

Love it! So heartwarming, sweet and energetic. They perform well and Belarusian really fits the song.
Don’t you dare translate any of it to English, Belarus! It’s perfect the way it is.
And don’t even think about switching songs this year.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Ivan is a common name in east so maybe was some Ivan that inspired the name Navi.
I’m sure that wiwibloggs jurnalists will ask about that.

olvresc
olvresc
7 years ago

Just realised that Navi backwards is Ivan. Interesting.

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

I’m so happy for Anastasiya. Despite all the hate before the show, she finished in the top 3. She really slayed live, she looked stunning and her vocals were on point.

Vladislav’s performance was bad, that’s why he flopped.

@Apple

OMG, you are right! I hadn’t noticed that! 😀

Hubertznajomski
7 years ago

My hate for the jury is the highest in the world

AndersP
AndersP
7 years ago

Quite mad, but quite lovely at the same time. I’m pleasantly surprised. I wonder how many of this year’s songs will have a modern folk vibe, I hope this doesn’t get lost in the mix. Definitely through to the final.

Bis
Bis
7 years ago

An excellent choice! Brilliant performance and wonderful energy. Will go far 🙂

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
7 years ago

I just hate it. Going to be wc break.

Richard
Richard
7 years ago

I’m loving it, and finally an authentic and joyous song from Belarus where the performers look comfortable on the stage and sing in their own language. Great choice.

esconly
esconly
7 years ago

Belarus back to finals!!

olvresc
olvresc
7 years ago

Happy to see them sing in their own language. There should be more non-English songs in Eurovision.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I hope this song will win, I’m sure that in 2017 will win a happy song (totally different from ”1944”) and I hope will be this one, but I want to say only one negative thing hoping will be useful : in the background is too much white, it is not so pleasing for the eyes so much white.

Mr. Nutella
Mr. Nutella
7 years ago

Congrats NAVI! This song is my second favorite so I’m far from disappointed with it chosen to represent Belarus :D. A place in the final is guaranteed with this entry.

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

Reminds me of Georgia 2014

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I love this song and hope that will be 100% belarusian, there’s no need for english.
And about being repetitive, I don’t feel that is too much, and anyway, songs that want to make people dance are always persistent about the chorus.
The repetitions sound weird only about the ballads.

rickey
rickey
7 years ago

And…I’m shocked! Really good National Final. Angelica Pushnova, Nuteki, Nikita Hodas (!), Isaac Nightingale, NAVI.
I read in internet that Eurofest-2017 is suck, but…it was so gooood 🙂 Skipping fact that were technical problems with good sound and generally with show, were really cool songs.

escAU
escAU
7 years ago

Whoo!! I’m so excited to see them at ESC, we have a fun upbeat song in the mix! Knowing Belarus and their history I hope they don’t change the language or the entire song (the president doesn’t speak Belarusian) 😛

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Holy **** what a wonderful song!!! I can’t believe this is coming from Belarus! The woman’s voice is really great and the songwriting is just brilliant. Beautiful and lively and not cheesy at all. Just vibrant.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Nice to hear something happy and positive from Belarus. Not the same old out-dated rock /pop song that don’t really fit anywhere.
This is ESC by the books: Catchy, happy, clappy, a little bit of folk thrown in and you get 3 minutes of sunshine. Not bad at all, for once a good song from Belarus.
Will be a real crowd-pleaser in May!

Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
7 years ago

Yeah! I was really rooting for them. This puts such a smile on people’s faces. it’s cosy, warm and reminds me of Americana.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Yes, I’m so happy! Go for gold, NAVI

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Lol, my autocorrect changed too to two. Sorry about that.

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

James, the English would make the song less repetitive in the final chorus. I’m not saying to translate the whole song but rather have a bilingual final chorus. Perhaps make 4 of the eight repeating lines in English? It would flow much better and sound better two! And their message would be understood for all Europeans!

rickey
rickey
7 years ago

Feel glad for this choice of Belarus. Positive, catchy song that makes a 3 good minutes 😉 At least Belarus stopped with obsolete pop music with not really perfect English and decided choose something fresh and authentic. Hope in Kyiv we’ll listen it in Belarusian. Good luck, NAVI!

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

I just realised one thing – jury ripped Napoli to make sure she wont win. last year Ivan ripped her with “televotes” (watch that last minute of votes in 2016 to see what I mean) and now it happened again from jury. I guess Napoli learned her lesson and won’t participate in NF again.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Steve McPherson,
are you referring to a girl in white dress with boobs over it? it’s some Ukrainian singer (as per hosts’ announcement), I’ve heard nothing about her, her boobs still to make her a fame and fortune 🙂

seriously I’m failing to understand Kattie’s fans. when she sang I had a feeling there’s death somewhere nearby, her stone face and monotonous song isn’t something to enjoy. How it can win over cheerful/passinate songs?

eurovision6
eurovision6
7 years ago

What was the televoters doing.. shocking voting, saved by the juries.. Navi 1st and Nuteki 2nd was fair! Belarus will def go through to the final and do well there! 🙂

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

This will actually end up in the Final in May. Mark my words.

But, I don’t like the song by itself and everything folksy here (reminding me of Belarus 2004, look it up)… So, “voting” for the vibe here, not the song itself.

And at least it is in Belorussian. Yeey, I guess.

James
James
7 years ago

Daniel, why should there be a need for an English verse in this song? It seems quite unnecessary.

Varro Nevein
Varro Nevein
7 years ago

@Apple ,yes I noticed that too! What a coincidence! I was about to comment on that too 🙂 IVAN-NAVI I wonder if that’s why it got chosen?

Jerome
Jerome
7 years ago

I’m not hating this at all. Congrats NAVI Band!
Nuteki was my personal favourite, but at least it wasn’t a flop.

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

Everybody seems to be praising the song for being in Belarusian, but for me it’s too repetitive. Perhaps make the ending part English to spice it up and make it less repetitive? Because as it, it’s not making the final.

Solayoh
Solayoh
7 years ago

Jury screwed the whole thing…

Bastian
Bastian
7 years ago

Quite a nice surprise from Belarus this year 🙂 it sounds fresh to me. Im not a big fan of the heys and ayo’s.

sufle
sufle
7 years ago

My favourite three were the top 3! I was worried Navi wouldn’t win because of last year, but thankfully they won this year! Thank god for that voting change!

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

love it
this song like always brightens my day
bonus this is the first song ever at eurovision to be in Belarusian ! ! ! !

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

Crazy voting. The jury vote looks like what I expected the televote to. Oh well, I hate the song but without a standout elsewhere, there was always a chance this would happen.
An odd song to have at Eurovision in 2017!

Steve McPherson
7 years ago

This was my favourite and I really didn’t think it would win after the initial vote but so excited that it did. Yes, there were plenty of interval acts – who on earth was that titty tape autotuned lady?