Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 - The Recap (Part 1): This week is a rather special edition of Radio International as members of the Team are in Malta - the Home of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. The 14th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was in Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) on  20 November 2016, 1600 hours CET with the participation of 17 countries: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, FYRO Macedonia, Georgia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Poland, Russia, Serbia, The Netherlands and Ukraine. The show was hosted by Valerie Vella and Bed Camille and they had the honours to also announce the Winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 being Mariam Mamadashvili from Georgia with the song "Mzeo". It is also the third time that Georgia won the contest. The previous two times when Georgia won theJunior Eurovision where in 2008 and 2011. This year's theme song of the event is "#Embrace" sung by last year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest Winner for Malta - Destiny. Consult the official event's website Junior Eurovision Song Contest for all the latest news concerning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 and also you will also find all detailed information about the young artists. Members of the Team of Radio International were at the event to interview the young artists which you can see as video interviews on the accompanying Eurovision Blog.  However, this week and also the next couple of weeks there is a Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 Recap where you can reports, interviews and of course the music of the event.

 

Interview with Kisses (Junior Eurovision 2016, Netherlands, Number 8):  The Junior Eurovision Song Contest enjoys more popularity in the Netherlands than the Eurovision Song Contest and this year a girl trio was selected to represent the Kingdom of The Netherlands at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. The group is called Kisses and the song "Kisses and Dancing" with a lively 70s vibe receiving a total of 174 points and with this coming 8th in the contest. JP of Radio International chatted with the girls in Malta after their rehearsal. Listen to the interview on this week's edition of Radio International. You can also watch this interview on our YouTube Channel - click here.  

 

Interview with Alexander "Sascha" (Junior Eurovision 2016, Belarus, Number 7):  Belarus so far won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest twice being in 2005 and 2007 and this year young Alexander or Sascha represented Belarus with his dance team on the stage of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Malta's Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) with the song "Music is the only way" which reached Number 7 with a total of 177 points. Radio International's JP chatted with the group and Alexander after their Press Conference. Enjoy the lively bunch on the show this week. You can also watch this interview on our YouTube Channel - click here.

 

Interview with Martija Stanojkovic (Junior Eurovision 2016, Macedonia, Number 12): Macedonia was represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Malta by young Martija Stanojkovic and her team of backing dancers with the song "Love will lead our way" which came 12th at the end of the voting with a total of 41 points. A very friendly radio tune and pleasant to the ears and eyes of course. JP chatted with the delegation of Macedonia after their first rehearsal. Enjoy this interview on Radio International this week. You can also watch this interview on our YouTube Channel - click here.

 

Interview with George Michaelidis (Junior Eurovision 2016, Cyrprus, Number 16):  A vey modern Dance Number called  "Dance Floor" performed by George Michaelidis representing Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 which came 16th at the end of the voting with a total of 27 points. After the Cypriotic Press Conference JP had the pleasure of an interview with the young singer and dancer from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Enjoy it on this week's edition of Radio International. You can also watch this interview on our YouTube Channel - click here.

 

Live Interview with Stefan Galea (Malta Eurovision 2016):  Earlier on this year when the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2016 took place in the same venue where the Junior Eurovision 2016 was held - the Mediterranean Conference Centre (MCC) Stefan Galea successfully entered a song that made it to the Semi Final Stage of the the Malta National Selection to the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Light up my life". Stefan has been working in Malta's music scene since early childhood and hopes to represent Malta at the Eurovision Song Contest one day. His latest song has just been released called "Broken Promises" which has been written by MUXXU - the genious behind the two winning entires for Malta at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest (2013 and 2015). Stefan will be joining JP during this week's edition of the show live from Malta to chat about his career and of course the new song. Listeners are enouraged to send in their questions should they have questions to Stefan during the interview.  

 

Eurovision Song Contest Spotlight - Ukraine's History at the Eurovision Song Contest:  This week starting a brand new series on Radio International as our Eurovision correspondents take a look at the Eurovision entries from Ukraine since Ukraine will be hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 following  Jamala's victory in Stockholm at the 61st edition of the contest with the song "1944". Ukraine initially won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 after their second attempt as Ukraine only joined the Eurovision family back in 2003. The Winning Song of Ukrain's first victory was "Wild Dances" performed by Ruslana when the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 came from Istanbul, Turkey. Just recently, it was decided that the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 will be hosted once again by Ukraine's capital city Kiev on May 09 & 11 for the Semi Final 1 and 2 and the Grand Final to take place on May 13. The mini series continuous this week with Alasdair Rendall. Enjoy the flashback into Ukraine's entries to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision Under Cover:  This ever so popular feature on Radio International is David Mann's weekly edition of the Eurovision Cover Versions where David Mann from Eurovision Norwich will be intoducing some of the finest Eurovision Song Contest entries covered by other singers. Just be surprised. You will be hearing the actual song that has been on the Eurovision stage followed by the cover. Listeners are encouraged to send in their cover versions they came across over the years to share with the other fans tuning into the show. Alternatively, listeners can send in their request for a particular Eurovision covered song using this link.