Eurovision Ireland are here in Malta to cover the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Valetta. The rehearsals begin on Tuesday 15th November and run for 4 days. So in advance of that and in a similar vein to articles published for the main Eurovision I am going to look at each participating country and highlight their entry this year and look back at their history in JESC. There are 17 countries competing in JESC 2016 and I will look at each country in a brief series of 4 articles in the coming few days. This article will look at Italy, Cyprus, The Netherlands and Israel. You can check out the other articles in this JESC series on the Eurovision Ireland website

ITALY

Italy are appearing in their third Junior Eurovision Song Contest. They won it on their debut year in 2014 last time it was held in Malta then in 2015 came 16th.  This year Italy are represented by Fiamma Boccia who is 13 years old and lives in Florence. Her song is called Cara Mamma(Dear Mom).

“YOU ARE MY STRENGTH

THE WOMAN THAT MADE ME GROW UP

THE WOMAN THAT I WILL BE

DEAR MOM”

So we also take a look back at the song that won it for Italy back in 2014 in Malta. It was the debut entry for Italy and it was sung by Vincenzo Cantiello and the song was titled “Tu primo grande amore.”

CYPRUS

Cyprus are appearing in their eighth Junior Eurovision Song Contest. They have hosted it back in 2008. Their best achievements have been 8th place in both 2004 and 2006. But their best points tally was in 2014 when we were last in Malta. This year Cyprus are represented by George Michaelides who is 13 years old and hails from Paphos. His song is called Dance Floor.

“IT’S A SMALL STEP

BUT I OPEN MY WINGS

I STEP ON THE SUN

AND REACH AFAR…

MY WORLD IS A DANCE FLOOR”

So we also take a look back at the song that won the most points for Cyprus when last in Malta and it was one of my personal favourites and would easily have graced the adult contest. It was sung by Sophia Patsalides and the song was titled “I pio omorfi mer”(The Most Beautiful Day).

THE NETHERLANDS

Now The Netherlands are one of only two countries to have appeared in all 14 Junior Eurovision Song Contests. They were also the first country to host it twice in 2012 having already hosted in 2007. They also won the contest in 2009 and came 2nd in 2011. This year The Netherlands are represented by a girl group called Kisses who consist of Stefania(13) who is of Greek origin, Kymora(12) who has a German mother and Sterre(13). Their song is called Kisses & Dancin’.

“KISSES

EVERYONE AROUND THE WORLD

DANCE TO THE BEAT, COME ON AND CLAP YOUR HANDS

BECAUSE THIS FEELING CHANGES EVERYTHING” 

So we also take a look back at the song which won for The Netherlands back in 2009 in Kiev. It was sung by Ralf Mackenback and the song was titled Click Clack.

https://youtu.be/B14rNhnRfQQ

ISRAEL

Israel are only making their second appearance in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. They also took part in 2012 when they came 8th. This year Israel are represented by a duo Shir & Tim. Shir is 13 year old Shira who lives in Atzmon-Segev. Tim is TimoTi who is also 13 and from Bat Yam.

“I KNOW I’VE GOTTA FOLLOW MY HEART

I KNOW THE WAY IT FEELS WHEN IT’S RIGHT”

We also take a look back at the only other entry for Israel. In 2012 Kids.iL sung the song “Let The Music Win” in Amsterdam.

So there we have it folks, my first look at some of this years countries participating in

Junior Eurovision 2016 in Valletta.

This article will be followed by another three highlighting some more of this years

participants both now and in the past.

For more info make sure to check us out on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, SNAPCHAT, PERISCOPE and YOUTUBE  for even more news and gossip!

Author: Andrew Main

Sources: Eurovision Ireland, Lyrics from The Official Program Junior Eurovision 2016.