Oleksandr Balabanov__Vidkryvai_ Ukraine Junior Eurovision 2020

After achieving a disappointing result last year, Oleksandr Balabanov is ready to bring some redemption for Ukraine at Junior Eurovision 2020 with “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”.

Scroll down for “Vidkryvai (Open Up)” lyrics 

Ukraine in Junior Eurovision 2020: Oleksandr Balabanov “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”

Ukraine has competed at Junior Eurovision every year since 2006, winning the contest in 2012.

For 2020, Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC cast a wide net. An initial field of seventy songs was eventually shortlisted to a national final of eleven entries. Oleksandr Balabanov won over the majority of the votes from an eight-member jury. Despite only finishing fourth in the public vote, his strong jury showing was enough to secure victory.

The 14-year-old is already a music veteran, having competed in Ukraine’s Junior Eurovision 2018 and 2019 selections too. He performed “We Are The Children Of The Earth” and “Power In You” respectively.

In fact, Oleksandr started music aged just four. By eight he was dabbling with pop and attending an art school.

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What do the “Vidkryvai (Open Up)” lyrics mean?

The lyrics to “Vikdryvai (Open Up)” seem to reflect an overall theme of showing love in every moment of life, no matter what trials and challenges one goes through.

While the song starts with a sombre tone, it quickly picks up a smooth, happy vibe that helps communicate its core message. Namely, that the only way we can truly make it through the ups and downs, and the good and bad moments in life is by not letting the daily drudgery of life make us cold. Instead, we must be the open and loving creatures we were intended to be, and not miss the opportunities life gives us to share that love with others.

Speaking with the Junior Eurovision website, Oleksandr reveals which lyrics speak to him the most:

“But you are the argonaut who has found his fleece!’ There is a deep meaning in these words. An argonaut is a hero of ancient Greek mythology who came a long way in search of the desired golden fleece.

To find your happiness, your calling, you must not stop, never give up, only believe in the best, discover this world and open up to this world.”

The official music video adds further layers to the narrative. UA:PBC Head of Marketing and Advertising Serhii Kryvosheia produced the video, and explains in greater detail:

“Working on the video idea, I wanted the music video to have some multiple layers as well, to open up (OPEN UP!) the possibilities for different interpretations. At the surface, there is a story of the main hero moving into a new city, discovering this city thanks to a girl with whom they develop friendly (and, maybe, more) relationship.

The second layer is provocative. It shows how the song breaks into the subconsciousness of the heroine and wakes her from “coma” (by the way, not necessarily clinical).

And, finally, the third layer that was put into the song by its writers is a story of discovering the world, opening up to the world, discovering the city, with beautiful, sincere and smart people. It is a story of sincerity, true human relationships, feeling one another.

It is a story that sooner or later COVID (or any other global thing that restricts us and make us close up) will come to an end, the world will open up and will be rediscovered.”

“Vidkryvai (Open Up)” lyrics — Oleksandr Balabanov (Ukraine JESC 2020)

Written and Composed by:  Mykhailo Klymenko and Oleksandr Balabanov

Mykhailo co-wrote Krutb’s “99”, which finished third in Ukraine’s Vidbir 2020 Eurovision selection.

Ukrainian text

When you’re giving something
To who’s asking for
Well, you should keep on going forward
To change this world

Oh, were they right
To survive any sorrow?
You have to be full of
You have to be full of
Love…

Vidkryvai
Syayvo svoye siy
Sertse vidkryvai
Davay zasvity usim
Tse toy samyy moment, tse ta sama mytʹ
Koly tvoye sertse shepoche tobi
Davay
Vidkryvai

Khytaye choven
Lyakaye dno…
Ta ty arhonavt, yakyy znayshov svoye runo

When I was blind
I kept on going
And heard it calling, calling

Vidkryvai
Syayvo svoye siy
Sertse vidkryvai
Davay zasvity usim

Tse toy samyy moment, tse ta sama mytʹ
Koly tvoye sertse shepoche tobi
Davay

Vidkryvai
(Ou-ou-ou… syayvo svoye siy)
Ty vidkryvai
(Davay zasvity usim)

Toy samyy moment, tse ta sama mytʹ
Koly tvoye sertse shepoche tobi
Davay, davay, davay

Vidkryvay
Tse toy samyy moment, tse ta sama mytʹ
Koly tvoye sertse shepoche tobi
Davay
Open up!

English translation

When you’re giving something
To who’s asking for
Well, you should keep on going forward
To change this world

Oh, were they right
To survive any sorrow?
You have to be full of
You have to be full of
Love…

Open up!
Spread your shining!
Open your heart!
Come on, shine to everyone!
This is the right moment, this is the right time
When your heart is whispering to you,
Come on!
Open up!

The boat is rolling,
The bottom is frightening,
But you are the argonaut who has found his fleece!

When I was blind
I kept on going
And heard it calling, calling

Open up!
Spread your shining!
Open your heart!
Come on, shine to everyone!

This is the right moment, this is the right time
When your heart is whispering to you,
Come on!

Open up!
(Spread your shining)
You, open up!
(Come on, shine to everyone)

It is the right moment, this is the right time
When your heart is whispering to you,
Come on! Come on! Come on!

Open up!
This is the right moment, this is the right time
When your heart is whispering to you,
Come on!
Open up!

What do you think of Ukraine’s 2020 entry? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more Junior Eurovision 2020 lyrics.

3 Comments
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Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I like how in 2013, Ukraine had a song named after ESC 2013’s slogan and now they named a song after the 2020/2021 slogan.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

I listened to all of the JESC songs today and I am happy. I told myself to be less harsh when it comes to analyzing juniors, but turns out, I didn’t need to. They hold their own pretty well, even compared to a lot of the big ESC songs. Actually, I liked all 11 of them.

Ukraine has brought another quality song to the table of their (J)ESC entries, so, congrats! I like the rhythm and he has a really good voice.

Thomas
Thomas
3 years ago

really good song and Olexcander’ voice is simply magical, easily can see this entry on adult contest