Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Fun in the Sun
Dates
Final	22 November 2008
Host
Venue	Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre, Limassol, Cyprus
Presenter(s)	Alex Michael Sophia Paraskeva
Directed by	Klitos Klitou
Executive supervisor	Svante Stockselius
Executive producer	Munro Forbes
Host broadcaster	Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)
Website	junioreurovision.tv/event/lemesos-2008
Participants
Number of entries	15
Debuting countries	None
Returning countries	None
Non-returning countries	Portugal   Sweden
Participation map      Competing countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in 2008
Vote
Voting system	Each country awards 1–8, 10, and 12 points to their 10 favourite songs. [1]
Winning song	Georgia "Bzz.."
2007 ←  Junior Eurovision Song Contest  → 2009

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the sixth edition of the annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which is the world's largest song contest for children. ^[2] It was held at the "Spyros Kyprianou" Athletic Centre in Lemesos, Cyprus and hosted by Alex Michael and Sophia Paraskeva. The theme of the event was "Fun in the Sun". ^[3] It was won by the Georgian trio Bzikebi, with the song "Bzz..". Ukraine took 2nd place and Lithuania finished 3rd. ^[4] Bzikebi also became the first group act to win the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

For the contest, various changes to the rules were made. One was that adults could assist children to write the songs submitted to their national broadcaster; previously only children could write the songs, with no assistance from adults. Another change was only six people could be on stage during a performance, instead of eight. The most significant change, however, was only half of the vote was decided by the tele-voters. Before the 2008 contest tele-voters completely decided the whole result. The other half of the result was decided by a jury of adults and children. ^{[5] [6]}

Location

Further informationon the host city: Limassol

Lisbon

Stockholm

Kyiv

Limassol

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the bidding countries. The withdrawn countries are marked in green. The eliminated countries are marked in red. The chosen host country is marked in blue.

Bidding phase and host selection

On 27 May 2007, the Eurovision Steering Group decided to award CyBC of Cyprus the rights to host the 2008 contest, over bids from TV4 of Sweden and NTU of Ukraine, the latter of which would later host the 2009 edition. RTP of Portugal had also submitted a bid, however it was withdrawn at an early stage, ^[7] and the country went on to withdraw from the competition altogether. ^[8]

Venue

Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center in Limassol was the host venue.

The Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center ^[9] (Greek: Αθλητικό Κέντρο "Σπύρος Κυπριανού"), also known as Palais des Sports, is the largest multi-purpose indoor athletics arena in Cyprus. It is named after the late president of Cyprus Spyros Kyprianou. The shuttle of the centre can host more than 6,255 spectators and at least 42 wheelchair spots. Moreover, the centre is used especially for the sport events of local schools in Limassol greater area. ^[10]

Participating countries

Cover art of the official album

Fifteen countries took part in the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest: Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Macedonia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine. ^[11] Portugal, which had taken part twice since 2006 announced that it was no longer interested in the contest and withdrew along with Sweden, a founding country in 2003, which left because of other broadcasting plans during the time of the event. ^{[8] [12] [ better source needed ]} Portugal would return in 2017 after winning the adult contest for the first time that same year. ^[13]

On the other hand, Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina announced their intention to participate, but decided both to withdraw before the contest. Welsh language broadcaster S4C considered the possibility of participation, but in the end it was decided they would not to participate in the competition, because their debut was rejected because Wales isn't a sovereign state. Only the BBC has the exclusive right to represent the United Kingdom. ^{[14] [ better source needed ]} Wales later debuted in the 2018 contest.

Azerbaijan announced its intention to take part also, but withdrew from the contest in early October. According to İctimai Televiziya və Radio Yayımları Şirkəti, the network was unable to select and prepare children for such a high scale event without proper help from other governmental structures and bodies. The broadcaster also confirmed payment of a fine to the EBU due to its late withdrawal. ^{[15] [ better source needed ]} Poland had also considered participation but decided that it would not take part this year. ^[16] The 2008 contest was the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest to have no debuting countries.

Prior to the event, a compilation album featuring all the songs from the 2008 contest, along with karaoke versions, was put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released by Universal Music Group on 10 October 2008. ^[17]

Participants of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008 ^{[11] [18]}

Country	Broadcaster	Artist	Song	Language	Songwriter(s)
Armenia	AMPTV	Monica	"Im ergi hnchyune" (Իմ երգի հնչյունը)	Armenian	Monica Manucharova Meri Mnjoyan
Belarus	BTRC	Dasha, Alina  [ ru ] and Karina	"Serdtse Belarusi" (Сердце Беларуси)	Russian [lower-alpha 1]	Dasha Nadina
Belgium	VRT	Oliver  [ nl ]	"Shut Up"	Dutch	Oliver Symons
Bulgaria	BNT	Krastyana Krasteva	"Edna mechta" (Една мечта)	Bulgarian	Krastyana Krasteva
Cyprus	CyBC	Elena Mannouri and Charis Savva	"Gioupi gia!" (Γιούπι για!)	Greek	Andreas Georgallis Elena Mannouri Charis Savva
Georgia	GPB	Bzikebi	"Bzz.."	Imaginary	Mariam Kikuashvili Mariam Talulashvili Giorgi Shiolashvili
Greece	ERT	Niki Yiannouchu	"Kapoia nychta" (Καποια νύχτα)	Greek	Niki Yiannouchu
Lithuania	LRT	Eglė Jurgaitytė	"Laiminga diena"	Lithuanian	Eglė Jurgaitytė
Macedonia	MRT	Bobi Andonov	"Prati mi SMS" (Прати ми СМС)	Macedonian	Bobi Andonov
Malta	PBS	Daniel Testa	"Junior Swing"	English	Daniel Testa
Netherlands	AVRO	Marissa  [ nl ]	"1 dag"	Dutch	Marissa Grasdijk
Romania	TVR	Mădălina and Andrada	"Salvați planeta!"	Romanian	Mădălina Lefter Andrada Popa
Russia	VGTRK	Mihail Puntov  [ ru ]	"Spit angel" (Спит ангел)	Russian	Mikhail Puntov Vsevolod Tarasov
Serbia	RTS	Maja Mazić  [ sr ]	"Uvek kad u nebo pogledam" (Увек кaд у небо погледaм)	Serbian	Maja Mazić
Ukraine	NTU	Viktoria Petryk	"Matrosy" (Матроси)	Ukrainian	Viktoria Petryk

Format

Visual design

The stage, which was designed by George Papadopoulos, ^[19] was nominated for the prestigious international "Live Design Excellence Awards". ^[20] The design is an abstract composition and consists of a round stage representing the island of Cyprus, real water along the front of the stage, two jetties, the waves breaking and moving away from the island and five sailing boats with oars. During the competitive performances, a beach ball with the design of the performer's national flag would be floating in the on-stage pond while they were performing.

The stage was constructed between 30 October 2008 and 14 November 2008.

Presenters

On 10 September 2008, the hosts were announced as Alex Michael and Sophia Paraskeva; both presenters with Cypriot backgrounds. ^[21]

Running order

On 13 October 2008, the draw of the running order took place live on CyBC 1. This involved drawing the first and last countries and performers, and then drawing countries into various 'pots' to decide when they would perform. ^[22] The full running order was announced on 14 October 2008. ^[23]

Voting

As in all previous Eurovision Song Contests each country gave their top 10 countries songs points from 1 point for their 10th favourite song up until 8 points for their 3rd favourite song. Then 10 and 12 points were given for the second favorite and favorite respectively. However, the difference between this contest and other past contests is this is the first Eurovision Song Contest that implements a jury vote that counts for half of each countries vote. ^[24] Profits made from the televoting was donated to UNICEF. ^[25]

Contest overview

The event took place on 22 November 2008 at 21:15 EET (20:15 CET). ^{[26] [27]} Fifteen countries participated, with the running order published on 14 October 2008. ^[23] For the first time, all the countries competing were eligible to vote through a 50% jury and 50% televoting system. ^{[lower-alpha 2]} Georgia won with 121 points, with Ukraine, Lithuania, Malta, and Macedonia completing the top five. Belgium, Serbia, the Netherlands, Greece, and Bulgaria occupied the bottom five positions. ^[28]

The opening of the show featured a dance act featuring Yiorgos Ioannides and Mariam Venizelou. During the interval, Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan performed two songs during the interval, alongside Evridiki and her husband Dimitris Korgialas who performed the theme song of the contest, "Fun in the Sun". ^[29] Closing the interval, all participants performed the song "Hand in Hand", which was written especially for UNICEF and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest that year. ^[30]

R/O	Country	Artist	Song	Points	Place
1	Romania	Mădălina and Andrada	"Salvați planeta!"	58	9
2	Armenia	Monica	"Im ergi hnchyune"	59	8
3	Belarus	Dasha, Alina  [ ru ] and Karina	"Serdtse Belarusi"	86	6
4	Russia	Mihail Puntov  [ ru ]	"Spit angel"	73	7
5	Greece	Niki Yiannouchu	"Kapoia nychta"	19	14
6	Georgia	Bzikebi	"Bzz.."	154	1
7	Belgium	Oliver  [ nl ]	"Shut Up"	45	11
8	Bulgaria	Krastyana Krasteva	"Edna mechta"	15	15
9	Serbia	Maja Mazić  [ sr ]	"Uvek kad u nebo pogledam"	37	12
10	Malta	Daniel Testa	"Junior Swing"	100	4
11	Netherlands	Marissa  [ nl ]	"1 dag"	27	13
12	Ukraine	Viktoria Petryk	"Matrosy"	135	2
13	Lithuania	Eglė Jurgaitytė	"Laiminga diena"	103	3
14	Macedonia	Bobi Andonov	"Prati mi SMS"	93	5
15	Cyprus	Elena Mannouri and Charis Savva	"Gioupi gia!"	46	10

Spokespersons

1.   Romania  –Iulia Ciobanu
2.   Armenia  –Mary Sahakyan
3.   Belarus  –Anjelica Misevich
4.   Russia  –Sarina
5.   Greece  –Stefani Trepekli
6.   Georgia  –Ana Davitaia
7.   Belgium  –Chloé Ditlefsen
8.   Bulgaria  –Marina Baltadzi
9.   Serbia  –Anđelija Erić
10.   Malta  –Francesca Zarb
11.   Netherlands  –Famke Rauch
12.   Ukraine  –Marietta
13.   Lithuania  –Lina Joy
14.   Macedonia  –Marija Zafirovska
15.   Cyprus  –Christina Christofi

Detailed voting results

Bzikebi, Georgia's participants

Georgia and Macedonia awarded their points last due to technical problems.

Detailed voting results ^[31]

Voting procedure used:   50% jury and televote   100% jury vote		Total score	Romania	Armenia	Belarus	Russia	Greece	Belgium	Bulgaria	Serbia	Malta	Netherlands	Ukraine	Lithuania	Cyprus	Georgia	Macedonia
Contestants	Romania	58		4	2	2	2	2	1	5	3	2	4	1	8	2	8
	Armenia	59	3		5	6	6	6	7			3	3			8
	Belarus	86	5	5		10	4	10	6	7	7	4	5	3	3		5
	Russia	73		10	12		3		2	2	6	1	7	8	4	5	1
	Greece	19													7
	Georgia	154	6	12	8	12	10	12	12	10	8	12	12	12	12		4
	Belgium	45	2	2	1	1				3	2	10	2	4		4	2
	Bulgaria	15															3
	Serbia	37	1	1		3		1					1			6	12
	Malta	100	7	7	4	5	7	7	8	1		6	10	7	6	7	6
	Netherlands	27			3			5			1			5	1
	Ukraine	135	12	8	10	8	8	3	10	6	12	7		10	10	12	7
	Lithuania	103	8		6	7	1	8	3	12	10	8	6		2	10	10
	Macedonia	93	10	6	7	4	5	4	5	8	5	5	8	6	5	3
	Cyprus	46	4	3			12		4	4	4			2		1

12 points

Below is a summary of all 12 points received. All countries were given 12 points at the start of voting to ensure that no country finished with nul points.

N.	Contestant	Nation(s) giving 12 points
8	Georgia	Armenia ,   Belgium ,   Bulgaria ,   Cyprus ,   Lithuania ,   Netherlands ,   Russia ,   Ukraine
3	Ukraine	Georgia ,   Malta ,   Romania
1	Lithuania	Serbia
	Russia	Belarus
	Cyprus	Greece
	Serbia	Macedonia

Other countries

For a country to be eligible for potential participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, it needs to be an active member of the EBU.

•   Azerbaijan  –Azerbaijan was originally going to participate but withdrew on 15 October 2008, due to the lack of participants signed up for the national final.
•   Bosnia and Herzegovina  –Bosnia and Herzegovina were also set to participate but later withdrew. Bosnia and Herzegovina also unsuccessfully attempted to participate in 2007. They did, however, broadcast the contest live.

Broadcasts

A live broadcast of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was available worldwide via satellite through European streams such as TVRi, ERT World, ARMTV, RTS Sat and MKTV Sat. The official Eurovision Song Contest website also provided a live stream without commentary via the peer-to-peer medium Octoshape.

Broadcasters and commentators in participating countries

Country	Broadcaster(s)	Commentator(s)	Ref.
Armenia	Armenia 1	Gohar Gasparyan
Belarus	Belarus 1	Denis Kurian
Belgium	VRT	Kristien Maes  [ nl ] and Ben Roelants  [ nl ]
Bulgaria	BNT 1	Elena Rosberg and Georgi Kushvaliev
Cyprus	CyBC	Kyriakos Pastides
Georgia	GPB	Temo Kvirkvelia
Greece	ERT	Renia Tsitsibikou and George Amyras
Lithuania	LRT	Darius Užkuraitis  [ lt ]
Macedonia	MTV 1	Ivona Bogoevska
Malta	TVM	Valerie Vella
Netherlands	AVRO	Sipke Jan Bousema
Romania	TVR	Ioana Isopescu and Alexandru Nagy
Russia	RTR	Olga Shelest  [ ru ]
Serbia	RTS2	Duška Vučinić-Lučić
Ukraine	NTU	Timur Miroshnychenko

Broadcasters and commentators in non-participating countries

Country	Broadcaster(s)	Commentator(s)	Ref.
Australia	SBS (13 May 2009)	Un­known	[32]
Azerbaijan	İctimai TV	Un­known
Bosnia and Herzegovina	BHT 1	Dejan Kukrić	[33] [34]

See also

• Eurovision Song Contest 2008
• Eurovision Dance Contest 2008
• Eurovision Young Musicians 2008

Notes

1. At the start of the song, the backing vocals are in Belarusian.
2. The only country that did not use this system was Ukraine who calculated their vote using a jury. Ukrainian broadcaster NTU opted not to broadcast the contest live, but to air it deferred on Sunday 23 November as Saturday 22 November was Holodomor Remembrance Day in the country.

References

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2. Quoted from the hosts
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