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On Monday it confirmed Ukraine’s participation at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Armenia. And now Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne has opened the submissions window for its JESC 2022 national selection. 

In recent years, Ukraine’s national selection has included between ten and twelve finalists. You can read full details about their selection in the official press release, which we’re pasting at the end of this post.

The fact that Ukraine will stage a national final — even as the country faces a bloody war waged by Russia — shows their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest and the seriousness with which they approach its events.

Some fans have questioned why Ukraine would participate. But, now, as at Eurovision 2022, the contest is an important way to unify people as they continue to resist aggression from Moscow.

As Kalush Orchestra’s lead singer Oleh told us at Eurovision in Concert, pop culture is an important platform to convey Ukraine’s hopes and aspirations.

“We believe that it is very important for every Ukrainian to be able to speak up for Ukraine right now. For us it is particularly important to to represent the authentic, beautiful Ukrainian music, so that it gets an opportunity to be represented in the world market. That’s why the opportunity to represent Ukraine here at the Eurovision Song Contest is of particular importance.”

 
 
 
 
 
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“We want everybody to remember that Ukraine is free and Ukraine is doing its free, unique music. [We have] something that is different — a different signature that we can bring in.”

The act of participation reminds the world of Ukraine’s plight. But it’s also important to look inward. For young people, who are growing up in war, the contest offers an important reminder of what freedom looks and feels like. Hopefully it also gives them a moment of respite from the ongoing horrors around them.

Ukraine opens Junior Eurovision 2022 national selection

The following is a press release submitted by Ukraine’s state broadcaster UA:PBC.

“On Wednesday, 3 August, Suspilne Ukraine launches the call for entries within the national selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022.”

“Everyone interested can apply on the national website junior.eurovision.ua. The age of eligible artists is from 9 to 14. The call for entries will continue until 23 August.”

“Applications can be submitted by both solo artists and bands of up to 6 members that have an original song. The song must be from 02:30 to 03:00 minutes in duration. At least 60% of the lyrics must in Ukrainian under the contest requirements. The song must not have been released before 1 May 2022.”

“Up to ten finalists will be selected from among the applications that meet the national selection rules. This year’s national final will be held in the online format.”

“Suspilne Ukraine as a member of the European Broadcasting Union organises and holds the selection of the song and representative of Ukraine and supports the participation of the representative of Ukraine in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022.”

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Luke B
Luke B
1 year ago

I’m glad that Ukraine are participating, they deserve too. If they have a good entry I want them to do well, but not win. We could do with being spared all the drama again about why they won, and will they/won’t they host. Besides, if they were to win, and especially if they win next May too, other broadcasters are going to start getting the humf.

Gaga
Gaga
1 year ago

I’m so happy. Ukraine, thank you so much for coming to Armenia in the midst of all horrors you’re currently going through. Our countries are equally suffering from the aggressor. Much love from Armenia. I voted for you in the adults’ contest. I’ll support you in the junior contest, too. Please bring on a nice song not to let people whine about it being unworthy….Kalush Orchestra was amazing by the way.

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

Unfortunately, they just need a cute girl/boy singing about the war. It doesn’t really matter if the song or the singer are any good.

What really surprise is that some people here still believe holding a national final (though the only said a national selecction, so the could go internal) is a good idea given the circumstances. Ukrainian officers are doing it mainly because of nationalism and the spotlights.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

Yes it’s a good news and a good idea. Talking about nationalism some spanish eurofans have no lessons to give. And no they don’t need only a cute singer and a song about the war to win but a talended artist and a great song as everybody. That’s crazy Ukraine is the victim of this war and now Ukraine is the victim of some eurofans with such a bad spirit but as far as I know Ukraine asks for nothing. So what? Because of this war, Ukraine has not the right to compete? They have not the right to exist?… Read more »

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

Kalush saved the contest from being won by your insanely overhyped booty shaking reggaeton and you can’t do anything about it.

Nikolas
Nikolas
1 year ago

Why would you spend money to bother about NS in the middle of the war? Just pick the first (decent) one, it will win anyway.

Lucille
1 year ago

you guya bother to talk about how ukraine is doung a National selection yet you don’t bother to talk about the songs The Netherlands can pick or The Voice Kids Portugal where they pick their singer?

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago
Reply to  Lucille

You don’t ignore that Ukraine is in a special situation now, the others aren’t. The fact that the broadcaster will still do a National Final in these conditions is very encouraging and kind of reassuring, this has to be reported.

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

That’s cool and Ukraine has really talented kids.

Ark
Ark
1 year ago

So other countries in Junior Eurovision don’t matter, only Ukraine?

Talk about “We’re not going to publish articles about Junior Eurovision”.

Alexioz
Alexioz
1 year ago

So Ukraine won already

Myrtisma
Myrtisma
1 year ago

They are going to win again for the reasons we all know

Conan Lau
Conan Lau
1 year ago

Hopefully Ukraine can win with a song that would be worthy of winning the contest without the war, I really like Darina Kyrvenko, the runner up from last year JESC selection from Ukraine

Alexioz
Alexioz
1 year ago
Reply to  Conan Lau

They can allow themselves to not worry about the song, because they will win with anything

jercle01
jercle01
1 year ago

Why bother? Just send someone, anyone, to do whatever they like on stage for three minutes, they can make animal impressions, do a card trick, shadow puppets, or just sit and have a cup of tea, and Ukraine will still score close to maximum points in the televote.

Myrtisma
Myrtisma
1 year ago

We are going to see a new televote points record
So sad for Ukraine of course, but their actual situation shouldn’t be a reason to win every competition. It’s unfair to other contestants.

XyZ
XyZ
1 year ago
Reply to  Myrtisma

This, except the I am sad for Ukraine part.

Dndndndjd
Dndndndjd
1 year ago

This year we will probably see the first double wins a win in esc and jesc

Milan
Milan
1 year ago
Reply to  Dndndndjd

Yes, and it begs the question – why compete?

jercle01
jercle01
1 year ago
Reply to  Milan

As people have been saying, Ukraine could well win the next five contests (ESC and JESC), and if I was any other broadcaster, I’d be asking why we were bothering. Just save money and use it elsewhere.

Alexioz
Alexioz
1 year ago
Reply to  Dndndndjd

Typical politicalvision