Kazakhstan is only in its second year at Junior Eurovision. And while it may not be a full member of the Eurovision family, it’s certainly made its presence felt.
After its stunning debut in 2018, Yerzhan Maksim will sing “Armanyńnan Qalma” for the country’s sophomore effort in Gliwice this November.
Scroll down for “Armanyńnan Qalma” lyrics
Kazakhstan in Junior Eurovision 2019: Yerzhan Maksim “Armanynnan Qalma”
Last year Daneliya Tuleshova’s magical voice was a favourite of ours and took the Central Asian country to sixth place. And for 2019 the nation will be hoping to do even better with Yerzhan.
Aged just 12, the young singer already boasts a very impressive CV. His experience includes appearances at the Batumi Dolphin Fest 2016, Slavianski Bazaar 2017 and San Remo Junior 2017.
He almost represented Kazakhstan at JESC 2018 in Belarus, but finsihed third in the national final. In the interim, he did The Voice Kids Russia and came joint first.
This time, broadcaster Khabar Agency wasn’t taking any chances, and internally selected both Yerzhan and his song.
What do the “Armanyńnan Qalma” lyrics mean?
“Armanyńnan Qalma” translates to “Don’t Waste Your Dreams”. It is a classic ballad in the vein of Disney but interspersed with ethnic Kazakh instrumentation.
Yerzhan was commended on The Voice Kids for his high notes, and they’re employed very well here. Lyrically, it’s about never giving up and finding the strength to chase your goals.
Yerzhan said of the song, “my song is about dreams. If you have difficulties, never lose hope. The whole world will open up for you if you have dreams.”
The first verse is in English, and describes the struggles that come from chasing dreams (“when you have a dream you’ll go tirelessly, don’t regret and hold it dear”). However, he also describes the rewards (“if you pursue the dream that is pure, every soul will root for you”), and the help you can get (“there is a miracle that comes from above, it will help you write your name in the stars”).
The chorus repeats this sentiment “though it’s harder than it may seem”, “they are here to see you gleam”) and adds a message of self-assurance: “keep on giving it everything, your heart is glowing from within”.
The song continue in Kazakh, again with messages of overcoming obstacles: Keī̆-kezde bolmaī̆, synaūgha zhandy-aī̆, sätsizdik erer qalmaī̆ (sometimes failure will haunt you, testing our limits, forcing us to have difficulties). It also highlights the importance of being virtuous: Talabyng bolsa taūdaī̆, armanynnan qalma! (if your intentions are so righteous, don’t forsake your dream).
The song then ends on the phrase “Ümitti üzbeī̆ angsa!” (never lose hope), bringing home the song’s positive and inspiring message. Armanyńnan qalma!
What do you think of Kazakhstan’s chances? Can it match the success of its debut? Let us know in the comments. And click here to read more Junior Eurovision 2019 lyrics.
“Armanyńnan Qalma” lyrics — Yerzhan Maksim (Kazakhstan JESC 2019)
Written by: Aldabergenov Daniyar, Timur Balymbetov
Composed by: Khamit Shangaliyev
Kazakh text
There’s a miracle that comes from above
It will help you write your name in the stars
When you have a dream you’ll go tirelessly
don’t regret and hold it dear
only then you’ll find the desire of your heart
And if you pursue the dream that’s pure
Every soul will root for you
Don’t forsake your dream
thought it’s harder than it may seem
Don’t forsake your dream
they are here to see you gleam
Don’t forsake your dream
Keep on giving it everything
Your heart is glowing from within
Кей-кезде болмай
Сынауға жанды-ай
Сәтсіздік ерер қалмай.
Арманың сенің жарқ етер атқан таңдай
Бар әлем саған жолын ашар
Талабың болса таудай
Арманнан қалма!
Бәрі де орындалғанша!
Қанатың сенің талғанша!
Бар әлем саған жолын ашар
Арманың сенің адал болса!
Арманнан қалма!
Жұлдызың жарық жанғанша
Арманнан қалма!
Алатын асу қанша
Арманнан қалма!
Бәрі де орындалғанша!
Қанатың сенің талғанша!
Үмітті үзбей аңса!
English translation
There’s a miracle that comes from above
It will help you write your name in the stars
when you have a dream you’ll go tirelessly
don’t regret and hold it dear
only then you’ll find the desire of your heart
and if you pursue the dream that’s pure
every soul will root for you
Don’t forsake your dream
thought it’s harder than it may seem
don’t forsake your dream
they are here to see you gleam
don’t forsake your dream
keep on giving it everything
your heart is glowing from within
Sometimes
failure haunt you
testing our limits, forcing еach of us to have difficulties
your dream will remake the world
whole world will open up for you
If your intentions are so righteous
don’t forsake your dream
until your dreams come true
until your wings are not tired
whole world will open up for you
if your intentions are so righteous
Don’t forsake your dream
thought it’s harder than it may seem
don’t forsake your dream
they are here to see you gleam
don’t forsake your dream
keep on giving it everything
your heart is glowing from within
Never lose hope
Looks more like what parents would like their kids want to be like than what’s really him. That’s only thing i can think about when I hear this. I mean, its cute but at the same time feels fake so I cant believe jt. Little bit like Italy (i think) last year.
‘the first verse is in english’
could’ve fooled me!
There is a degree of professionalism and grandeur in this entry that sets it apart from the rest of the competition. It is also one of the few acts that could really stand out on stage.
3 of the favorites (plus 2 or 3 other acts) are likely to come in with environmentalist stagings. Then there will be several contemporary dance stagings.
Kazakhstan’s song lends itself to a staging with more pizzazz than the other ballads. I really think this is a contender to win.
As Roy said, this is the Georgia 2016 entry.
If he “nails” this vocally, it’s in the top two. I can only see Spain beating this if all the songs are performed flawlessly.
one of the many disney ballads this year…. won’t stand out, just like they didn’t stand out last year. they need to bring the unique kazakh music in.
It sounds too forced. There’s no denying that his vocal range and ability to hold a high note are impressive, but it just pushes too hard. I don’t want to pick on his English accent because I assume it can be worked out eventually. Besides, with the new televote rules that were first introduced last year, voters are likely to look for more radio friendly and contemporary songs. If last year is any indication, jurors and voters won’t see eye to eye at all, which will make things much more interesting.
Jurors last year definitely favored big vocal moments and show-offs and that’s why Australia and Malta did so well in the end. If he manages to pull off THAT big note, then juries will definitely keep an eye on Yerzhan.
I had no idea so many parts were in English ._.
Anyway, he can pull a Georgia 2016 in my opinion
Underrated, Disney vibes and powerful vocals – just like Mzeo by Mariam
I really like it and I have goosebumps every time 🙂
His pronunciation has to improve, I couldn’t understand all his singing in English
It’s ok I guess but last year was better by far . Kazakhstan are deffinately serious about JESC so they should be allowed in the main contest
This entry keeps getting better with each listen. Yes, it is very “Let it go” meets “My friend”, but I love both those songs, and I love this one too. We know the boy can SANG, and if his English improves come November, and if there is a nice atmospheric stage presentation, this could create a beautiful 3 (possibly 6?) minutes in Gliwice. Overall, Kazakhstan is not mucking around in the junior contest, and this is yet another reason why they deserve and should be allowed to compete in the senior contest!
It’s like they’re all applying for their local Disney movies in JESC. But Eurovision had “The Dream” this year, so I suppose JESC is actually an upgrade regarding this genre.
It’s a little bland but if he can pull this of live then this will get a REALLY high jury score.
It’s still just a 5.5/10 for me.