The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 is set to take place this Sunday 29 November. A total of 12 countries will present their entries for the public and juries, all hoping to be crowned the winner at the end of the show.
But, before we settle down to watch the show, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — have been busy listening to all the competing entries. Now, it’s time for them to reveal who their favourites are.
Our ten jurors hail from Australia, Croatia, France, Israel, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Venezuela, the United States and the United Kingdom. Below, they’ll each list their top-five songs from this year’s Junior Eurovision entries and provide a short review of their favourite. Read on to find out who they’re rooting for.
Junior Eurovision 2020: Wiwi Jury Reviews
Esma
1. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
Spain isn’t here to play, they’re here to win! “Palante” is the perfect combination of a modern urban bop and an ethnic touch of Spanish flair. Soleá is such a charismatic performer, and with this catchy song and strong choreography she will make sure that Spain become the energetic centrepiece of the show!
2. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
3. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
4. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
5. Ukraine: Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”
Jonathan
1. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
As a fan of dark, powerful Eastern European tracks in general, “Aliens” hits a sweet spot. The opening ballad sections create an atmospheric, yet emotional, aura that draws the listener in before exploding in the second chorus. Things take a slightly unexpected turn with the added rap, but it doesn’t come across as jarring and instead adds a change in dynamic that keeps the listener engaged. While many top artists would have to bring in a featured rapper for something like that, Arina demonstrates her talent by tackling it herself. Overall, Arina delivers a captivating song that shows off both her vocal prowess and artistic style.
2. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
3. Ukraine: Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”
4. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
5. Kazakhstan: Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
Josh
1. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
When I first listened to “Best Friends”, the love was instant! The song is just so catchy (even in Dutch – I listened 30 times the first day and have the Dutch down) and has a positive message that really spoke to me. These young ladies are just relatable and authentic (if I were a girl their age, I would absolutely want to wear each of their outfits in the video). We all need to be reminded, in such uncertain times, that things like connection and friendship are more important than ever. They are just four young ladies having fun together and supporting each other on this Junior Eurovision journey. A lot of musical groups could learn a thing or two from their example!
2. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
3. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
4. Ukraine: Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”
5. Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
Lauren
1. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
In an average edition of Eurovision, I would wait for something like this. Marred only by the unnecessary English lines, this song has many elements that make it one of the best songs I’ve heard in this contest. From a Linkin Park-y intro to a punchy hard rock refrain to a breakdown that sounds like old-school t.A.T.u in the best way possible. Belarus also earned one thing from the partial translation – “Aliens” is a winning song title in my book. My fingers will be crossed for Arina. She has the vocal capability, the song and the message to bring the contest back to Belarus.
2. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
3. Malta: Chanel Monseigneur – “Chasing Sunsets”
4. Kazakhstan: Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
5. Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
Mario
1. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
It’s amazing how Spain just can’t fail with Junior Eurovision. This year is no exception – “Palante” is fresh, punchy, fun and Soleá is one swagger of a child. “Palante” could be on any adult chart-topping pop album out there, but what makes it tailored just for Junior Eurovision is Soleá’s young voice and personality. What I really like is how it’s a perfectly mixed pop track where producers secured enough space for Soleá’s love of flamenco to shine. The fact that Spain has already won with a similar style just makes me more excited for the 29 November final.
2. Serbia: Petar Aničić – “Heartbeat”
3. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
4. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
5. Georgia: Sandra Gadelia – “You Are Not Alone”
Natalie
1. Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
As much as I love the originality of Spain and Belarus, it’s Poland that has me the most excited this year. Ala’s voice is so much bigger than herself, and her song has the energy and power to match. It’s a beautifully passionate song with a great hook that will certainly fill the stage. It also has a very good message of resilience during a very difficult time for children. It’ll definitely be a stunner if Poland can do the Junior Ireland three consecutive wins, but if it’s with this song, I won’t be at all disappointed.
2. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
3. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
4. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
5. Ukraine: Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”
Oranie
1. Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
“I’ll be standing” brings together everything you need to make a good song at Junior Eurovision in 2020. It’s catchy with a powerful message in the spirit of the time. Ala destroys all stereotypes of what a girl should sing. Not best friends or sparkly girly dreams, here she goes it alone by showing how today’s young girls succeed by the sweat of their brow. The song shows and fits today’s female ideal and no doubt many kids will identify to the strength Ala sings about. Our society has changed and so have the children. They engage sooner and sooner in fights that are close to their hearts and we should admire it.
2. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
3. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
4. Kazakhstan: Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
5. Georgia: Sandra Gadelia – “You Are Not Alone”
Pablo
1. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
Here it is, “Palante” is head over flamenco heels above the rest of the competition for many reasons. This really sounds like “Antes Muerta Que Sencilla” brought to 2020, and I’m still in awe and wonder about how Spain could craft a Rosalía-style bop made for kids without an iota of cringe on it. Add to that a great message of “keep going forward” much needed in this year and Spain showcases just why they have been a Junior Eurovision powerhouse since the very beginning. Ole!
2. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
3. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
4. Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
5. Kazakhstan: Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
Robyn
1. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
Spain have done a very cool thing here. They’ve taken the sound of modern Spanish pop — the sort of thing we’ve been hearing from artists like Lola Indigo and Rosalía — and made it work with Junior Eurovision. Soleá is a super talented singer and has the attitude to deliver the song — and it’s totally age-appropriate. The song is crying out for some amazing staging, so let’s hope that the remote performance situation lets Spain bring the party!
2. Ukraine: Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai (Open Up)”
3. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
4. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
5. Malta: Chanel Monseigneur – “Chasing Sunsets”
William
1. Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
It can be tough to find a song with enough charm to appeal to the entirety of the Junior Eurvision target audience — nine to 14 year olds — and its adult jury. But Spain’s Soleá is bringing a song that does exactly that. Its rhythm and beat are universal — you can’t help but bob along — and the riff is among the most memorable of the year. Her attitude and charisma work so well with flamenco — this mixes the joy and innocence of youth with just enough Spanish fire to take viewers from the school house to the clubhouse (albeit one with soft drinks and parental supervision). Spain is known for sun, and Soleá is most definitely shining!
2. Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
3. France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
4. The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
5. Kazakhstan: Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
Junior Eurovision 2020: Wiwi Jury Results
If each Wiwi Juror were to award 12, 10, 8, 7 and 6 points to their favourites, the overall top five would be:
- Spain: Soleá – “Palante”
- Belarus: Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
- France: Valentina – “J’imagine”
- The Netherlands: Unity – “Best Friends”
- Poland: Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
What do you make of the thoughts of our Wiwi Jury? Do you agree? Who are your favourites ahead of the contest? Let us know in the comments below
I disagree with Spain being number one. It’s a good song, but it’s not incredible. I don’t get the hype around it. Downvote me all you want. :/
Its a fantastic year for Jesc songwise, i must say. I find no song bad and all the performers are excellent. My top 5 would be: Georgia: just fantastic. really artistic, a big voice, I love the operatic tones here and there, and its very inspirational. Poland: another big voice and I really love this song, it fits greatly to the style of music I usually hear. I actually prefer this from Poland’s two winning entries. Kazakhstan: a very gripping story and video, another big voice and a fantastic intstrumental. It would easily fit in a Disney movie. France: France’s… Read more »
My votes will be: Belarus – powerful, mixed-genre, bilingual, the “feeling” of 2020 but yet hopeful – would Linus please stop pretending that Alexander Lukasahenka is singing? – it’s Arina and she is either apolitical or sometimes says things favourable to change in Belarus. I sincerely doubt that the dictator took time to interfere in a kids’ singing contest while he is fighting for political survival and it is unfair to Arina to blame her for her country’s Government. #No politics in JESC France – a happy kid’s song with the right message for children – not “you can do… Read more »
1. Spain
2. Poland
3. Russia
4. Kazakhstan
5. Ukraine
If the dictators regime who kills protesters in Belarus right now did not chose this song i would have liked it. But they did so its just wrong that a killer regime compete
Honestly, it’s a good song and people will vote for it no matter what. Also it’s a kids contest so please don’t bring politics into it. At the end of the day, people don’t vote for who it’s from, they vote for the best song and Belarus happened to send one of the best this year. I personally will be voting for her
then you support the killer regime. I cant vote for country where the police beat old women and children with batongs. Watch on you tube. Belarus should be DSQ
We get it, you dislike children.
i dislike the regime. read stuff. the regime choose her.
The JESC delegation from BTRC chose her so why are you mad at her?
I don’t support a killer regime, I support Arina and her song
Grow up. It’s a song contest and Arina has one of the best songs. Try to remember that those are actual children up there on the stage performing, not a regime, not a government, not a broadcaster. She’s a 12 year old girl trying to do her best and has NO control over the politics of her country.
If you read stuff you would no that the regime fired all Belarussians in the tv station and hired only russians because the belaarussians hate the regime and the regime chose her. so no votes from me or anyone from Belarus. 0% chance anyone from belarus will vote for the dictators regime. you only see happy faces. There are no happy faces in belarus
Georgia.. The pick of the songs.
My top would be made of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Spain, France and Poland probably
I wanna vote for Georgia as well…. This is going to be tough
It will all come down to the live show
My two favs by far are Spain and Ukraine. This guy has some Duncan Laurence vibes. Am I the only one who sees it?
My top 5:
My Top 5:
1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. France
4. Poland
5. Germany
TOP THREE STRONK! (I have Belarus as my 3rd though, but still (my) top three is unbreakable!)
Hala Madrid! Definitely Madrid 2021 for me, even though my Junior Eurovision crush this year is Chanel from Malta.
If host by Spain, I just hope it takes place somewhere else. There is so much to see apart from the capital
Even with all the circumstances, I think the EBU and the participating countries are really doing a great job in creating a spectacular show.
Russia didn’t get a single top five place amongst any of you?
I hope the juries are kinder this weekend. 😉
I think Russia is more likely to do well in the public vote honestly. I just think there’s too much competition in the jury vote and I’m not convinced the juries will prefer Russia over the likes of Belarus, Georgia, and Poland.
Agree with this take. You can argue more than half of the songs have jury appeal, there are just too much competition for jury points. I think this year with every country needing to award points to 10 of the 11 country, jury results is likely to be more split. This means even more power to the online vote than previous years, as more margins can be build up from the online vote.
If juries are iffy about giving Belarus a victory I could see some of them splitting votes between Belarus and Russia, but I think Georgia is also very jury bait.
Briekimchi – the juries will like Russia this year – pretty sure about that but the song is not strong enough to get into the Top 5.
I know that the Wiwi Jury have already shown their top 5 based on the 12, 10, 8, 7, 6 point system, but I thought I could elaborate further.
The official Wiwi Jury ranking would be:
1st: Spain 88p
2nd: Belarus 74p
3rd: France 68p
4th: Netherlands 52p
5th: Poland 43p
6th: Ukraine 37p
7th: Kazakhstan 32p
8th: Malta 14p
9th: Georgia 12p
10th: Serbia 10p
11th: Germany 0p
12th: Russia 0p
Fair point, but I was just doing it following the guidelines set out in the article, as in “If each Wiwi Juror were to award 12, 10, 8, 7 and 6 points to their favourites, the overall top five would be…”.
Also, the starting with 12 points rule was removed in 2015.
Actually it was “”insert the name of the country (in that case Germany)”, I’m sorry, Zero points”.
I don’t think that the juries would do that with Germany because if that happens my country is out of JESC for next year …..we can’t stand 2 zero points in ESC and JESC. I’m pretty sure of that.
Considering I’ve yet to hear a JESC I wouldn’t consider at least pleasant (unlike some of the absolute duds that get sent to ESC) and the age of the contestants, I’m happy for the kids to get the 12 starter points. Heaven knows I would not be able to represent my nation which an original song at their song.