Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Georgia
Georgia (country)
Member station Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB)
National selection events
Participation summary
Appearances 11 (7 finals)
First appearance 2007
Best result 9th: 2010, 2011
Worst result Last: 2014 SF, 2018 SF
External links
GPB page
Georgia's page at Eurovision.tv
For the most recent participation see
Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018

Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 11 times, debuting at the 2007 contest. Georgia planned to participate in 2009, but decided to withdraw after the European Broadcasting Union demanded it re-write its song which made reference to the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin. Georgia has reached the final on seven occasions, achieving two top ten placements, with Sofia Nizharadze (2010) and Eldrine (2011) both finishing ninth.

History

On 27 October 2006, Georgia, confirmed that they wished to debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007.[1] At that time, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) still limited the contest to a maximum of 40 countries, however, in March 2007, it was announced that all 42 applicants would participate in the 2007 Contest in Helsinki. At the contest, Georgia managed to progress from the semi-final (where it scored 123 points, finishing 8th), but only came 12th (out of 24) in the final. Georgia appeared for its second time in the contest for 2008, represented by Diana Gurtskaya with the song "Peace Will Come". It had slightly better luck than in 2007, progressing from the semi-final (where it scored 107 points, finishing 5th) and coming in 11th (out of 25) in the final.

Due to the 2008 South Ossetia war, it had been debated by Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) whether Georgia would be present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow.[2] GPB chairman stated that it would not be unreasonable to withdraw, but that they were under a time restraint since a national selection event would have to be organised if they chose to participate.[3] On 28 August 2008, GBP announced that Georgia would withdraw from the 2009 contest, citing that they refuse to compete in a "country that violates human rights and international laws", as well as doubts being cast on the safety of their participants.[4][5][6] After winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, and getting the maximum 12 points from Russia they were encouraged to participate again in 2009.[7][8]

After a national final was held on 18 February 2009 the selected entry for Georgia was decided to be Stefane & 3G with their 70s-inspired song "We Don't Wanna Put In".[9][10][11] However the song gained controversy due to the lyrics of the song, which included perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which GPB denied.[12][13] Nevertheless, the EBU banned the song from competing due to its lyrics, and asked GPB to either change the lyrics of the song or select another song to compete.[14][15] GPB claimed that the EBU's rejection of the song was due to political pressure exerted by Russia, and withdrew again from the contest on 11 March.[16]

Georgia returned to the Contest in 2010, after a one-year gap, and was represented by 23-year-old singer Sopho Nizharadze.[17][18] Sopho sang the song "Shine" at the Contest, written by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi.[19][20] Georgia competed in the second semi-final of the contest on 27 May, performing in the 16th slot, and qualified for the final. Georgia came 9th in the final, with 136 points, achieving their best place so far.

In 2011, Georgia sent the rock band Eldrine to the contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. They managed to equal Sopho Nizharadze's 9th place of the year before. In 2012, Georgia sent Anri Jokhadze to the contest in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song "I'm a Joker", Anri was the first male entrant ever to represent Georgia at Eurovision. On 24 May 2012, he became the first Georgian representative to fail to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final. In 2013, Georgia selected its entry internally. Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili was the first duo to represent Georgia in Eurovision. The song was produced by 2012's winning composer Thomas G:Son. In the second semi-final Georgia qualified in 10th, and in the final Georgia came in 15th place with 50 points. In 2014, Georgia selected jazz fusion band The Shin alongside vocalist Mariko Ebralidze to the contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their song, Three Minutes to Earth, was panned by critics and placed last in the second semi-final. This is the worst Georgian result to date. In 2015, Georgia held a national final for the first time since 2012. Nina Sublatti and her song "Warrior" were chosen to represent Georgia in the contest. It qualified from the first semi-final. Nina Sublatti eventually reached an 11th place in the grand final. On December 15, 2015, Georgia internally selected Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz to represent Georgia in the 2016 contest They finished 9th in semi-final and 20th in the grand final. In 2017 GPB went back to an national final,a large number of songs participated in the final.Tamara Gachechiladze won national final with her song "Keep the Faith".She performed second at the first semi-final on 9 May 2017 but failed to qualify finishing 11th with 99 points in the first semi-final.

In 2018, Georgia internally selected Iriao (billed as Ethno-Jazz Group Iriao for the contest) to represent them in Lisbon, Portugal with the song "For You." In spite of its English name, it was their first entry performed entirely in the Georgian language. The song resulted in another non-qualification, with Georgia finishing last in their semi-final once again. For 2019, their act for Tel Aviv will be selected through Georgia's Star, the Georgian version of the Pop Idol franchise.

Contestants

Table key
  Winner
  Second place
  Third place
  Last place
  Withdrew/Disqualified
Year Artist Language Title Final Points Semi Points
2007 Sopho Khalvashi English "Visionary Dream" 12 97 8 123
2008 Diana Gurtskaya English "Peace Will Come" 11 83 5 107
2009a Stephane & 3G English "We Don't Wanna Put In" Withdrawn
2010 Sopho Nizharadze English "Shine" 9 136 3 106
2011 Eldrine English "One More Day" 9 110 6 74
2012 Anri Jokhadze English, Georgian "I'm a Joker" Failed to qualify 14 36
2013 Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili English "Waterfall" 15 50 10 63
2014 The Shin & Mariko English "Three Minutes to Earth" Failed to qualify 15 15
2015 Nina Sublatti English "Warrior" 11 51 4 98
2016 Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz English "Midnight Gold" 20 104 9 123
2017 Tamara Gachechiladze English "Keep the Faith" Failed to qualify 11 99
2018 Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao Georgian "For You" 18 24
2019
NOTES:
a. ^ Georgia intended to send "We Don't Wanna Put In" by Stefane & 3G, but later withdrew after the EBU found the lyrics as a breach of rules regarding political messages, and did not comply to change them.

Voting History

As of 2017, Georgia's voting history is as follows:

Marcel Bezençon Awards

Press Award

Year Song Performer Final Result Points Host city
2013 "Waterfall" Nodi and Sophie 15th 50 Malmö

Commentators and spokespersons

Year(s) Commentator Spokesperson
2007Sandro Gabisonia and Sopho AltunashviliNeli Agirba
2008Bibi KvachadzeTika Patsatsia
2009No BroadcastGeorgia did not participate
2010Sopho AltunishviliMariam Vashadze
2011Sofia Nizharadze
2012Temo KvirkveliaSopho Toroshelidze
2013Liza Tsiklauri
2014Lado Tatishvili and Tamuna MuseridzeSopho Gelovani and Nodiko Tatishvili
2015Natia Bunturi
2016Tuta ChkheidzeNina Sublatti
2017Demetre ErgemlidzeNika Kocharov
2018Tamara Gachechiladze

Photogallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ West-Soley, Richard (2006-10-27). "Georgia set on 2007". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  2. ↑ Economou, Thanasis (2008-08-11). "Georgian participation in Eurovision 2009 now questioned". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2010-02-06. Retrieved 2008-08-11.
  3. ↑ AFP (2008-08-21). "Georgia ally Estonia could boycott 2009 Eurovision in Moscow". Georgian Daily. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  4. ↑ "Georgian broadcaster confirms Eurovision boycott". ESCKaz. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  5. ↑ Tongeren, Mario van (2008-08-28). "GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  6. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2008-08-28). "Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  7. ↑ Konstantopoulos, Fotis (2008-12-19). "Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  8. ↑ Floras, Stella (2008-12-19). "Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  9. ↑ Brey, Marco (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow". EBU. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  10. ↑ Marcus, Klier (2009-02-18). "Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  11. ↑ Fisher, Luke (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Daniel (2009-03-10). "Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  13. ↑ "Putin jibe picked for Eurovision". BBC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  14. ↑ Bakker, Sietse (2009-03-10). "Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules". EBU. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  15. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2009-03-10). "EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  16. ↑ "Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song". 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  17. ↑ Hondal, Victor (2010-01-16). "Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo". ESCToday. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  18. ↑ Marco, Brey (2010-01-16). "Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo!". EBU. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  19. ↑ Grillhofer, Florian (2010-02-27). "Sofia to sing Shine at the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
  20. ↑ Brey, Marco (2010-02-27). "Sofia Nizharadze to sing "Shine" in Oslo!". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 27 February 2010.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.