Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009

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Eurovision Song Contest 2009
CountryFlag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
National selection
Selection processNational final
Selection date(s)18 February 2009
Selected entrant Stephane and 3G
Selected song"We Don't Wanna Put In"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Stephane Mgebrishvili
  • Bibi Kvachadze
Finals performance
Final resultWithdrawn
Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2008 •2009• 2010►

Georgia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "We Don't Wanna Put In" written by Stephane Mgebrishvili and Bibi Kvachadze. The song was performed by the group Stephane and 3G. The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of ten entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 18 February 2009. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by Stephane and 3G as the Georgian entry.

Contents

Georgia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 12 May 2009. However, on 11 March, GPB announced its withdrawal from the contest after "We Don't Wanna Put In" was rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Background

Prior to the 2009 Contest, Georgia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest two times since their first entry in 2007. [1] The nation's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been eleventh place, which was achieved in 2008 with the song "Peace Will Come" performed by Diana Gurtskaya. Following the introduction of semi-finals, Georgia has managed to qualify to the final on each occasion the nation has participated in.

The Georgian national broadcaster, Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), broadcasts the event within Georgia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. Despite initially announcing on 28 August 2008 that the country would not participate in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in protest to host country Russia's foreign policies caused by the 2008 South Ossetia war (also known as the Russo-Georgian War), stating that they refuse to "participate in a contest organised by a country that violates human rights and international laws", [2] [3] the broadcaster ultimately confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2009 contest on 19 December 2008 following talks with the contest organisers and taking into account Georgia's victory at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008, in which Russia awarded top marks to the country. [4] [5]

Before Eurovision

National final

GPB opened a public submission from 22 January until 5 February 2009. [6] [7] 25 entries were received by the submission deadline and an expert commission selected the top ten songs from the received submissions, which were announced on 13 February 2009 and presented to the public via a special programme on 18 February 2009 at the GPB studios in Tbilisi, hosted by Nika Lomidze and broadcast on the GPB First Channel as well as online at the broadcaster's website 1tv.ge. [8] [9] The winner, "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by Stephane and 3G, was determined upon by the 50/50 combination of the votes of an expert jury headed by British producer Stephen Budd (70%) and a public televote (30%). [10] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, 2008 Georgian Junior Eurovision winners Bzikebi performed as a guest. [11] [12] [13]

Final – 18 February 2009
DrawArtistSongSongwriter(s)Place
1Bachi Kitiashvili and Bermukha"Khvalindeli dghe" (ხვალინდელი დღე)Bachi Kitiashvili—
2November"Over"Davit Mchedlishvili, Giorgi Mukhigulashvili—
3Giorgi Maisuradze"Peace in the World"Giorgi Maisuradze, Dato Ugrekhelidze, Lika Kakiashvili—
4 Tika Patsatsia "Miracle" Gorgi —
5Tony and Friends"Hear My Plea"Tony O'Malley—
6 Nodiko Tatishvili "No Sun When You Are Near"Levan Jibladze, Bibi Kvachadze—
7Boris Bedia"Dagvipharavs ghmerti" (დაგვიფარავს ღმერთი)Merab Mamulashvili, Manana Gurgenidze3
8 Stephane and 3G "We Don't Wanna Put In"Stephane Mgebrishvili, Bibi Kvachadze1
9 Anri Jokhadze "I" Anri Jokhadze, Bibi Kvachadze—
10Keti Orjonikidze"Hang Out"Bachi Kitiashvili2

Song controversy and withdrawal

The 2009 Georgian entry garnered international media exposure due to political connotations in its lyrics of the song "We Don't Wanna Put In". It was also reported that the song was ineligible to compete due to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rules forbidding "lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature". [14] Stephane and 3G's accented pronunciation of the words "put in" were noted as resembling the pronunciation of the surname of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, and in the context of the previous year's 2008 South Ossetia war the song's lyrics were considered by some as a slight against Russia and Putin. [15] GPB denied that the song was of a political nature, while the EBU refused to make a statement until the song was officially submitted to them. [16] On 2 March, a protest against the song, organised by the Young Russia political group, was held in Moscow, Russia. [17]

After "We Don't Wanna Put In" had been submitted to the EBU, on 10 March, GPB was requested to either re-write the lyrics of the song or select a new entry after it was deemed that the song's lyrics did not comply with the rules of the contest regarding political connotations. [18] [19] [20] On 11 March, the broadcaster announced Georgia's withdrawal from the contest after they refused to change the song lyrics citing the EBU being "under unprecedented Russian pressure" (although no evidence of pressure being applied has been provided). [21] [22] [23] The country's withdrawal was confirmed on 16 March during the running order draw. [24] [25] Georgia was set to perform in the first semi-final, to be held on 12 May 2009.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 15 times since making its debut in 2007. Georgia initially planned to participate in 2009, but later withdrew after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) demanded it to re-write its song which made reference to the then-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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurovision Song Contest 2009</span> International song competition

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Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Copycat" written by Benjamin Schoos and Jacques Duvall. The song was performed by the group Copycat, which was internally selected by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF) in February 2009 to represent the nation at the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. The song, "Copycat", was presented to the public on 10 March 2009.

Andorra participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "La teva decisió " written by Susanne Georgi, Rune Braager, Lene Dissing, Pernille Georgi, Marcus Winther-John and Josep Roca Vila. The song was performed by Susanne Georgi. The Andorran broadcaster Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra (RTVA) organised the national final Passaport a Moscou in order to select the Andorran entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. Three songs performed during the national final on 4 February 2009 where a combination of jury voting and public voting selected "La teva decisió " performed by Susanne Georgi as the winner.

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Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Probka" written by Kārlis Lācis, Jānis Elsbergs and Sergejs Timofejevs. The song was performed by Intars Busulis. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Eirodziesma 2009 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. Twenty songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final, ten entries were selected to advance based on a public vote. Ten songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 28 February 2009 where two rounds of voting by the public and a five-member jury panel selected "Sastrēgums" performed by Intars Busulis as the winner. The song was later translated from Latvian to Russian for the Eurovision Song Contest and was titled "Probka".

Hungary participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Dance with Me" written by Zé Szabó and Kasai. The song was performed by Zoli Ádok. The Hungarian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia was selected internally by the Hungarian public broadcaster Magyar Televízió (MTV). "If You Wanna Party" performed by Márk Zentai was initially announced as the Hungarian entry on 3 February 2009, however, the song was withdrawn on 4 February 2009 as it was presented in 2004 as the Swedish Big Brother theme song "We Became Friends". "Magányos csónak" performed by Kátya Tompos was announced as the replacement entry on the same day, however, the song was also withdrawn on 10 February 2009 and "Dance with Me" performed by Zoli Ádok was announced as the final replacement on 23 February 2009.

Poland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "I Don't Wanna Leave" written by Alex Geringos and Bernd Klimpel. The song was performed by Lidia Kopania. The Polish broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) organised the national final Piosenka dla Europy 2009 in order to select the Polish entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. The national final took place on 14 February 2009 and featured ten entries. "I Don't Wanna Leave" performed by Lidia Kopania was selected as the winner after gaining the most points following the combination of votes from a four-member jury panel and a public vote.

Stephane and 3G are a Georgian pop group consisting of members: Stephane Mgebrishvili, Nini Badurashvili, Tamara Gachechiladze and Kristine Imedadze.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Shine" written by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi. The song was performed by Sofia Nizharadze, who was internally selected in January 2010 by the Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) to compete at the 2010 contest in Oslo, Norway. In July 2009, GPB announced that they would be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2009. A national final was held to select the song that Sofia Nizharadze would perform. An open call for song submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of six entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 27 February 2010. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "Shine" as the Georgian entry.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "One More Day" written by DJ BE$$, DJ Rock and Mikheil Chelidze. The song was performed by the band Eldrine. The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of seven entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 19 February 2011. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "One More Day" performed by Eldrine as the Georgian entry.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "I'm a Joker" written by Rusudan Chkhaidze and Bibi Kvachadze. The song was performed by Anri Jokhadze. The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of nine entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 19 February 2012. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "I'm a Joker" performed by Anri Jokhadze as the Georgian entry.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Waterfall" written by Thomas G:son and Erik Bernholm. The song was performed by Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani, who were internally selected in December 2012 by the Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) to compete at the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden. The Georgian entry, "Waterfall", was presented to the public on 27 February 2013.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Keep the Faith" written by Anri Jokhadze and Tamara Gachechiladze. The song was performed by Tamara Gachechiladze, who was due to represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 as part of Stephane and 3G with the song "We Don't Wanna Put In" before the nation's withdrawal in protest of the Russo-Georgian War. Songwriter Anri Jokhadze represented Georgia in the 2012 contest where he failed to qualify to the final with the song "I'm a Joker". The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the submission of twenty-five entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 20 January 2017. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an international jury resulted in the selection of "Keep the Faith" performed by Tamara Gachechiladze as the Georgian entry.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "For You" written by Davit Malazonia, Mikheil Mdinaradze and Irina Sanikidze. The song was performed by the Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao, which was internally selected in December 2017 by the Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) to compete at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. The Georgian entry, "For You", was presented to the public on 13 March 2018.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Keep On Going" written by Roman Giorgadze and Diana Giorgadze. The song was performed by Oto Nemsadze. The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held the reality television show Georgian Idol in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. The competition resulted in the selection of four finalists that performed potential Eurovision songs during the final on 3 March 2019. The results of a public vote exclusively resulted in the selection of "Sul tsin iare" performed by Oto Nemsadze as the Georgian entry, having received 44.13% of the votes. The song was later retitled for the Eurovision Song Contest and was titled "Keep On Going".

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, having internally selected Circus Mircus to represent the country with the song "Lock Me In". Georgia failed to qualify, performing in the second semifinal.

Georgia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Iru Khechanovi was selected as the Georgian representative through the fifth season of The Voice Georgia, while her competing song "Echo" was internally selected and released on 16 March 2023.

Georgia is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with "Firefighter" performed by Nutsa Buzaladze. Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) internally selected the Georgian representative for the 2024 contest.

References

  1. ↑ "Georgia Country Profile". EBU . Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2008-08-28). "Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Floras, Stella (2008-12-19). "Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
  6. ↑ Klier, Marcus (2009-01-22). "Georgia: national final on 18th February". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  7. ↑ "Georgia: National final on February 18". Oikotimes. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  8. ↑ Brey, Marco (2009-01-22). "Georgia: National final on February 18th". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
  9. ↑ Klier, Marcus (18 February 2009). "Tonight: National final in Georgia". Esctoday. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  10. ↑ Georgia Sends ‘Protest Song’ to Moscow Eurovision. Civil Georgia. February 19, 2009
  11. ↑ Brey, Marco (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow". EBU . Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  12. ↑ Marcus, Klier (2009-02-18). "Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Lewis, Daniel (2009-03-10). "Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  15. ↑ "Georgians pull out of Eurovision over 'Put in' jab". International Herald Tribune . Tbilisi. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  16. ↑ "Putin jibe picked for Eurovision". BBC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  17. ↑ Gudim, Laura (2009-03-02). "Russian political rally against Georgian song". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  18. ↑ Bakker, Sietse (2009-03-10). "Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules". EBU. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  19. ↑ Viniker, Barry (2009-03-10). "EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  20. ↑ Eurovision axes 'anti-Putin' song
  21. ↑ Lewis, Daniel (2009-02-19). "Грузинская сторона не будет менять текст "аморальной" песни для "Евровидения"". NEWSru . Retrieved 2009-02-23.
  22. ↑ Georgia pulls out of Eurovision after controversial song is banned. The Daily Telegraph. 12 March 2009
  23. ↑ Kozlov, Vladimir (12 March 2009). "Georgia's Eurovision entry exits over lyric". Hollywood Reporter. Moscow. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  24. ↑ "Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song". 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  25. ↑ Shegrikyan, Zaven (2009-03-11). "Georgia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2009". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
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