The grand final of Junior Eurovision 2021 is finally here. On Sunday December 19 at 16:00 CET, 19 countries will compete to be crowned the winner of the world’s biggest junior music competition in Paris, France. It’s been months in the making, and the next generation of pop superstars are ready to rock.
But only one act can win the prestigious crystal microphone and walk away with the title of Junior Eurovision champion. So, as the artists put the finishing touches on their performances, we thought we’d take a moment to walk you through everything you can expect to see on Sunday. Consider this wiwibloggs’ own pre-recorded commentary.
Pull up a chair, get yourself comfy and pour a glass of your favourite soft drink — let’s do this!
Junior Eurovision 2020: Final Preview
🇩🇪 Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
For the second year in a row, Germany receives the honour of opening the show. Twelve-year-old Pauline will sing “Imagine Us” in position number one on Sunday, determined at random during the Junior Eurovision 2021 opening ceremony.
The song is an uplifting anthem about looking towards a brighter future, a common theme amongst this year’s entrants. Look out for the mob of protestors marching in time with the music behind Pauline.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Our future could be much brighter / Every little step takes us further / Because we’re ready for the future, yeah / Imagine, yeah, imagine”
🇬🇪 Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count The Smiles”
A change of pace comes from Georgia’s Niko Kajaia, who throws us back to the 70s with his aptly-named jazzy pop track “Let’s Count The Smiles”, guaranteed to put a smile on your face. He sings in three languages: Georgian, French and English.
For the performance, Niko wears a blue velvet blazer and turquoise turtle neck. He’s joined on stage by two dancers in frilly shirts and dungarees. It’s equal parts Studio 54 and Saturday morning cartoon. Quirky, kitsch, and irresistibly catchy.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “If you believe me I believe you / Come on you dream and I believe you”
🇵🇱 Poland: Sara James – “Somebody”
Polish singing sensation and The Voice Kids Poland champion Sara James delivers pure pop rush with “Somebody”. It’s a dance-friendly track that could easily find its way into mainstream charts around the world.
Sara wears a pink tulle gown and is joined on stage by a troupe of dancers in pink and silver bodysuits performing a stellar ballet routine while wielding white tree branches — imagine Go_A’s “SHUM” with a few extra spoonfuls of sugar.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Nobody will feel alone / This good world will hold us in her arms / Beyond what inspires fear / I am waiting for you”
🇲🇹 Malta: Ike & Kaya – “My Home”
A meeting of two worlds. Disney princess Kaya and street rap sensation Ike perform the sweeter-than-sweet love song “My Home”. They’ve truly established themselves as the power couple of Junior Eurovision 2021.
Kaya’s dress features an enormous tulle tutu and shoulder pieces, while Ike dons a stylish dogtooth tracksuit. He’s bringing all the things we love about the UK’s Daz Sampson, refreshed for a new generation. You’ll see a princess swing, unicorns, jungles, cityscapes and even strawberries in the staging. This is also the first key change of the night!
Memorable lyrics: “They say home is where the heart is but you stole mine / When you came in my life it’s like I found me a gold mine”
Italy: Elisabetta Lizza — “Specchio (Mirror on the Wall)”
Hard rock did wonders for Italy at Eurovision 2020. Now, they’re hoping to do the double as Elisabetta Lizza goes dark with “Specchio (Mirror on the wall)”.
Team Italy’s performance is straight out of Måneskin’s setlist, but friendly for the whole family. Elisabetta wears a white skater dress and a black leather jacket, serving early 2010s Demi Lovato edge. Her backdrop features silhouettes, shattered glass and a huge Phantom Of The Opera mask. After Italy, we’ll move to a quick break with some interviews with the artists.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “It lies, the mirror lies, dirty, broken, deceitful lens / It cuts trough, the mirror offends, it draws curtains in front of the eyes”
Bulgaria: Denislava & Martin — “Voice of Love”
Our first big ballad of the evening comes from Bulgaria’s Denislava and Martin with “Voice of Love”. This track was co-written by Eurovision 2021 alumnus Vasil, who represented North Macedonia with his epic theatre ballad “Here I Stand”.
Deni, 12, and Marti, 13, set up camp on stage and perform part of their song from inside a tent. It encapsulates a warm, cosy atmosphere, perfect for the festive season. Get ready for more key changes than you could ever imagine, and be sure to listen out for backing vocals from Bulgarian Eurovision superstar VICTORIA of “Tears Getting Sober” fame.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “To be the wind for a day / To be a phoenix reborn”
Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva — “Mon Ami”
Seventh to the stage is somebody Junior Eurovision fans will remember. Tanya represented Russia at Junior Eurovision 2019 in Poland where she sang “A Time For Us” alongside Denberel Oorzhak for Russia. In France, she’s back as a solo artist with an energetic dance-pop track “Mon Ami”.
Tanya’s performance is a triathlon of events. She cycles through a city, hits some major choreography and later flies high above the stage on a circular trapeze — all while singing her heart out. Get ready for some fireworks!
Memorable lyrics: “Follow me, you will see magic will happen tonight / Imagine it, finally no one can stop us now”
Ireland: Maiú Levi Lawlor — “Saor (Disappear)”
Ireland’s Maiú Levi Lawlor delivers a shift in genre to nostalgic early noughties pop with “Saor (Disappear)”.
Finding colours in the grey, young Mr. Lawlor is taking a piece of advice from Eurovision 2021 fan favourite Lesley Roy and loving every moment on stage. Listen out for backing vocals from Anna Kearney, Junior Eurovision 2019 fan favourite from Ireland.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Stand with me / Don’t care about rules / C’est la vie / We’re not sitting down”
Armenia: Maléna — “Qami Qami”
Closing out the first half is Armenia’s Maléna with “Qami Qami”. Maléna was originally selected to represent Armenia at Junior Eurovision 2020, but was forced to withdraw due to tensions in the country. Now, she’s back and ready to give it her all in Paris.
An upbeat dance-pop number, “Qami Qami” is a chart-friendly track with a thumping club beat and catchy lyrics. Maléna wears a high-fashion combat suit, accessorised with huge space boots and warrior princess makeup. She’s joined on stage by four dancers, with movements as graceful as the wind itself. Pyro fans, you’ll like this one.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “The wind, the wind will take me again / To the wilds far away / Higher and higher I’ll go / I’ll be invisible, like you, wind”
Kazakhstan: Alinur Khazim & Beknur Zhanibekuly — “Fairy World”
In its three years competing at Junior Eurovision, Kazakhstan has proved itself to be a song contest powerhouse. Kazakhstan has placed as runner-up for two years in a row. This year, Alinur and Beknur are going for the gold with “Fairy World”.
The boys wear space-age battle armour, complete with glistening silver shoulder pads. They transport us through a steampunk-vapourwave underwater fairytale world. Beknur’s verse is a moving French rap, while Alinur’s verses feature astonishing Dami Im-style high notes.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “I found strength in myself / Believing in fairytales / And there is a place for you also”
Albania: Anna Gjebrea — “Stand by You”
Next up is Albania’s Anna Gjebrea with “Stand By You”, an anti-bullying anthem.
Anna’s staging is designed by none other than Luca Tommassini, who Eurovision fans will remember as the creative visionary behind Senhit’s “Adrenalina” staging at Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam. This stage show is equally mesmerising, moving through all the hues of the colour wheel. Look out for the Keith Haring doodles all over the backdrop. Afterwards, we’ll move onto our second break of the evening.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “No do not be afraid wherever you are / Nothing will stop us / If they hurt the heart / I will be there to promise / You will have me with you”
Ukraine: Olena Usenko — “Vazhil”
Ukraine’s newest rockstar Olena Usenko is sending a message to her younger self with her self-penned power ballad “Vazhil”.
Olena has a strong sense of identity, as does her performance. She wears fashionable red trousers and a black leather jacket. At one moment, a burst of golden splinters forms a phoenix spanning its wings, a la Conchita Wurst at Eurovision 2014.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “They do not dare to silence me / They will not be able to burn my wings / Because it doesn’t hurt anymore”
France: Enzo — “Tic Tac”
France’s Enzo is up next, singing “Tic Tac” for his country on home soil. France was chosen to perform 13th at random during the Junior Eurovision 2021 opening ceremony.
Enzo’s song is about savouring every second of life and breaking out of mundane routines. He brings theatre magic to La Seine Musicale with with staging inspired by Beauty and the Beast, with an enormous staircase as the main focal point. The ball is starting and you’re invited.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Tick, tock, tick / In my heart everything is magical / Tick, tock, tick / Everyone lives life at a hundred miles per hour”
Azerbaijan: Sona Azizova — “One Of Those Days”
Big ballad time! Sona Azizova — who placed second on The Voice Kids Azerbaijan — gives elegance with “One Of Those Days”.
Sona wears a crystal-white satin gown, framed on stage by pillars of white and blue light. Her song is about perseverance and finding strength in your friends when you’re having a bad day. For those of you counting, this is our third song of the night with a key change.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “My feelings are hidden / They are waiting / My eyes are full again with tears and they are calling for us”
The Netherlands: Ayana — “Mata Sugu Aō Ne”
The Japanese language makes its debut at Junior Eurovision as Ayana sings “Mata Sugu Ao Ne” for The Netherlands. Ayana is sending a love letter to her family in Japan, who she hasn’t seen since before the start of the pandemic.
She incorporates lots of elements of Japanese culture into this performance — she wears a traditional Japanese silk garment and is joined on stage by two fan-wielding dancers. They dance behind a paper door and a spotlight projects their shadows out towards the audience. One more key change before we have another interview break.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Wish I could fly away / My kite takes me away / Soon I will follow my way to you / Hope to see you soon”
Spain: Levi Díaz — “Reír”
After a quick break, we’re back with Spain. It’s a cold winter here in Paris, but Levi Díaz is turning up the heat with his summertime bop “Reír”.
Levi is starting a revolution of laughter and love. He shows off the full range of his voice, with speedy yet smooth melodic passages and soaring high notes.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “We can make it / Let it happen / This is the moment / And the revolution”
Serbia: Jovana & Dunja — “Oci Deteta (Children’s Eyes)”
Jovana, 10, and Dunja, 11, are taking us down the rabbit hole with their Serbian ballad “Oci Deteta (Children’s Eyes)”.
This is one of the most colourful performances of the night. Jovana and Dunja wear French runway-inspired pink and blue garments, set against a backdrop of two magical forest scenes. They mimic each others’ movements through an enormous mirror frame. It’s a high concept fresh take on Alice in Wonderland, sure to leave fairytale fans besotted.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “In tears of children’s sorrow all the seas are holy / In a frightened eye the whole sky stands”
North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika — “Green Forces”
This quartet got their name from one of North Macedonia’s biggest TV shows — Dajte Muzika — of which they are all stars. Miha, Filip, Kristina and Anastasija will sing “Green Forces” for North Macedonia.
Dajte Muzika is a troupe of young eco-warriors on a mission to save the planet. They deliver an energetic performance with some extremely athletic choreography and powerful imagery. Behind them, you’ll see floods, earthquakes and flash fires, pointing to the planet’s impending doom if we don’t change our ways.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “Think about it, it all depends on you / On you and me, oooh / Hurry up, you don’t have a lot of time”
Portugal: Simão Oliveira — “O Rapaz”
Closing out the night is another The Voice Kids champion. Portugal’s Simão Oliveira performs a mature and authentic Portuguese fado song “O Rapaz”.
The song is all about Simão’s identity as a singer, how he fell in love with fado music and how they remind him of his grandmother. He wears a mustard crushed velvet blazer and takes us back to the 1950s with archive footage of the beautiful Portuguese streets.
Memorable lyrics (translated): “I’m the boy of love songs / They made me everything I dreamt of / I’m the boy who became a singer”
Who are you most excited to see perform? Who will win Junior Eurovision 2021? Let us know in the comments below.
10 mins to go!!! So excited!
45 MINUTES TO GO !!!!!!!
Does jesc have a language rule? If so, how did bzz… get in? Did they say that bee is a national language of Georgia?
personally I would like to see armenia, north macedonia, and georgia in the top 3 but i think it’ll be between armenia, poland, and russia in the end
I think Russia will do surprisingly bad.
if bc of her ilness then maybe
If not then why should russia flop?
Thus, despite her ilness, she has a HUGE fanbase
I think it will be between France, Poland and Armenia. And i think they will finish in that order. Poland will be jury winner and France televote winner
N. Macedonia, Armenia or Poland. Best three song of this year. N.Macedonia have smallest audience for this and for that reason Armenia or Poland
My top 3 exactly.
There will be an official delegation from Iceland in the venue tomorrow – fingers x-ed that they fall in love for the show because then the chance is there, that we will see a debut of Iceland (maybe) in 2022 or 2023.
Thought voting wouldn’t be that big of a problem but my laptop decided to stop working 2 days ago so now i only have 1 device! And suddeny things got really complicated but after much thinking, I ended up voting for:
Ukraine (best vocals imo)
Armenia (has the whole winner package)
Georgia (best performer BY FAR)
Wish I could vote for Portugal, Italy and France as well but at least there’e the live show for that!
Just use different profiles
for example i voted 7 different times from my computer
also after some hours it refreshes and u can vote again
Is there going to be an audience at the show?
there will be an audience for the final TV show tomorrow but there was no audience during the dress rehearsal and the jury show today (due to the covid situation)