Junior Eurovision 2021 first rehearsals continue in Paris, France today. Ten more countries will take to La Seine Musicale stage for their first run-throughs ahead of the grand final this weekend. Will the favourites live up to the hype?
The EBU and France Télévisions will be releasing rehearsal clips straight from La Seine Musicale. Check back here throughout the day for updates — we’ll share all the snippets down below so you can get the first look at all your JESC 2021 favourites.
We’ll also be sharing photos over on our Instagram page and live-streaming our first thoughts and reactions on YouTube this evening, direct from The Student Hotel in Paris.
December 15: First rehearsals at Junior Eurovision 2021
Here’s who will be taking to the stage for rehearsals today. All times are listed in CET (GMT + 1).
- 9:00 – 9:40 Azerbaijan: Sona Azizova – “One Of Those Days”
- 9:50 – 10:30 Bulgaria: Denislava & Martin – “Voice Of Love”
- 10:40 – 11:20 Albania: Anna Gjebrea – “Stand By You”
- 11:30 – 12:10 Ukraine: Olena Usenko – “Vazhil”
- 12:20 – 13:00 North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika – “Green Forces”
- 14:00 – 14:40 Kazakhstan: Alinur & Beknur – “Ертегі әлемі (Fairy World)”
- 14:50 – 15:30 Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
- 15:40 – 16:20 Serbia: Jovana & Dunja – “Children’s Eyes”
- 16:30 – 17:10 Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva – “Mon Ami”
- 17:20 – 18:00 France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
Azerbaijan: Sona Azizova – “One Of Those Days” first rehearsal
Good morning to Azerbaijan’s Sona Azizova, who is first to kick off rehearsals today. The “One Of Those Days” songstress stand centre stage in a floor-length white satin gown adorned with jewels and flower appliqués on the sleeves. The backdrop is simple, but effective — draping blues and pillars of white light frame Sona as she belts out her song. She’s got bundles of stage presence and she knows how to work the arena even without an audience.
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Bulgaria: Denislava & Martin – “Voice Of Love” first rehearsal
Team Bulgaria take to La Seine Musicale stage for a first rehearsal that’s cosy, cute and camp — literally. Denislava and Martin perform part of “Voice Of Love” from inside a triangular tent covered in fairy lights, projecting their silhouettes outward. It’s got a vibe of VICTORIA’s “Imaginary Friend” music video, which was one of the contenders to represent Bulgaria at Eurovision in Rotterdam this year. A heartwarming performance from Deni and Marti!
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Albania: Anna Gjebrea – “Stand By You” first rehearsal
Albania’s Anna Gjebrea is serving High School Musical for the new generation. Her staging is designed by none other than Luca Tommassini, who Eurovision fans will remember as the creative visionary behind Senhit’s “Adrenalina” in Rotterdam. The graphics feature black and white Keith Haring-style doodles, with Anna and her dance troupe in black and white school uniforms to match.
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Ukraine: Olena Usenko – “Vazhil” first rehearsal
Fuego! A fiery first rehearsal from Ukraine’s Olena Usenko. She’s channeling glam rock darkness in bright red trousers and a jewel-encrusted leather jacket, perfectly in line with her edgy aesthetic. Her graphics start off simple — a black background with white spotlights surrounding her — but she’s later surrounded by a fiery red and gold plumage. The Ukrainian youngster is owning the stage and we’re loving every second of it.
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North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika – “Green Forces” first rehearsal
Go Green Forces! Dajte Muzika are on stage at La Seine Musicale to preach one very important message — save the world. Their staging is very similar to their music video, with all four performers dancing in formation surrounded by graphics of natural disasters. There’s an element of edge, making the group’s message all the more compelling: act now, and we can change the world.
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Kazakhstan: Alinur & Beknur – “Ертегі әлемі (Fairy World)” first rehearsal
After a short lunch break, Kazakhstan’s Alinur and Beknur are next to take to La Seine Musicale stage. As Team Kazakhstan often does, this year’s act is bringing a unique aesthetic and they’re doing it brilliantly. Alinur and Beknur are side by side, dressed in purple and silver, surrounded by a spectacular underwater fairytale scene. A huge silver dolphin swims around behind them, almost mimicking the pattern of Alinur’s powerhouse vocals.
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Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami” first rehearsal
Team Armenia has arrived. Maléna is a vision in silver, with huge space boots and an oversized discoball jacket. She’s joined by four dancers in similar outfits to her own, but in pink and blue colours to match the glittery backdrop. It’s as if the Power Rangers ripped up their old uniforms and created chic new costumes for an effortlessly fabulously night out at Studio 54. The colours are stunning, the choreography is slick, and the vocals are strong. Brava.
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Serbia: Jovana & Dunja – “Oči Deteta (Children’s Eyes)” first rehearsal
Serbia’s Jovana and Dunja are going down the rabbit hole to Wonderland with in their first rehearsal. The “Children’s Eyes” singers mimic one another’s actions through an enormous mirror frame in centre stage, surrounded by the green of an enchanting forest backdrop. Jovana and Dunja are dressed ready for a fashion editorial, too. They’re wearing matching frilly garments, one in pink, one in blue, accessorised with plaid sleeves and a black beret — they’re very excited to be in Paris, and we’re excited to see them perform.
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Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva – “Mon Ami” first rehearsal
The penultimate act of the day is Russia’s Tanya Mezhentseva. For medical reasons (unrelated to COVID-19), Tanya rehearsed without live vocals and instead used playback during her first run-through. That aside, the staging looks grand as ever from Team Russia. There are bicycles, fireworks and a circus hoop that elevates the “Mon Ami” singer high above the stage to watch over her four dancers. We’ll have to wait until Friday to hear Tanya sing live, but everything else we’ve seen so far is on point.
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France: Enzo – “Tic Tac” first rehearsal
Last up to rehearse today is host nation France. Enzo prances across the stage in all white beneath a sparkling gold blazer, joined by the dancers from his music video. The staging is grand and elegant, featuring brass pocketwatch graphics, a checkerboard floor and one of the largest props of the contest — a huge golden staircase, bringing Enzo and co. to new heights. A spectacular show from our French hosts!
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What do you think? Which act had the best first rehearsal? Let us know in the comments below.
MACEDONIA HAS A ANTHEM, AND THAT COOL STYLING OMG. LIKE IT
Malen slayed , such a bop
Malena slayed that high note
luca tommasini should focus on JESC because albania’s staging ate senhit’s up
macedonia looks cool asf ! also really glad everyone seems to be in paris. my biggest fear was that someone would miss out for travel restrictions but it seems like everyone will get to perform live.
Good 1st half of rehearsals so far but I still don’t get why Bulgaria’s team needed a special truck to bring their stage settings in Paris…
albania strated to be contender to win this year, ukraine is in danger now because after that staging ukrains just looks boring
There’s augmented reality used during her performance, you have seen nothing yet, it’s far from boring imo.
Good Luck for every country, may the best one win !! I love the voice from Sona from Azerbaijan and her beautiful song. She is together with Italy my favorite.
Time for The Armenia Queen to take The stage!
Exciting day! Good luck for every singers for their first steps on the big stage.