I know that the Buzzjack fanbase for Junior Eurovision is limited to basically just me and hardly anyone will care with main Eurovision now in full flow, but it has been confirmed by broadcaster BNT that Bulgaria will be the host of the 2015 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, marking their first ever hosting of a Eurovision event! They finished runners-up to Italy in 2014 and following Italy declining the opportunity to host, Bulgaria was one of two countries (the other being Malta once again) who applied to host.

The standard of the 2014 contest was insanely good and probably the best one ever, some of the entries wouldn't have been out of place in the upcoming main contest. Since the rules have been relaxed in recent years regarding adults being allowed to help write the songs amongst others, it does seem to contest has seen a massive increase in quality compared to the earlier years. It's great to see a country being able to host their first Eurovision event, just like Malta did last year. Could Sofi be one of our hosts?

Here's a reminder of the 2014 winner from Italy:



This is Krisia, Hasan & Ibrahim who finished second for Bulgaria (and won the televoting from 2nd in the running order!) and therefore are responsible for Bulgaria getting the opportunity to host:



And here is Federica from Malta who finished 4th but in my opinion provided one of the most incredible live performances I've ever seen!

Junior Eurovision seems to be going from strength to strength. Albania have announced that they will be returning this year, and the breaking news yesterday was that Ireland (:o) will be making their début this year with Irish-language broadcaster TG4! :o

That's nice to hear, seemed like it was dying out a few years ago!

11 countries have confirmed so far, 1 debutant (Ireland), 1 returnee (Albania) and 1 withdrawal (Croatia). And the theme art has been revealed!

 

 

Very nice! :wub:

God WHY COULD IT NOT HAVE JUST DIED

It still reeks of 2007 spin-off desperation.

Literally sick.

Sweden OUT

 

Ryan REJOICES :D

 

Cyprus OUT

 

Ryan AGOG

Oooh YAY *.*

 

*twin swords of Christer Bjorkman and EU financial crisis PLUNGED into CORPSE OF EVIL*

 

Poor Cyprus! :( There are still trying to find funding though so all hope is not lost for 'I pio omorfi mera' part 2! :magic:

THEY SAW THE LIGHT

 

PRAISE THE JAYSUS

And here is Federica from Malta who finished 4th but in my opinion provided one of the most incredible live performances I've ever seen!

 

 

 

Dear LORD my ears bled.

It was just amazing, the roar of the crowd was incredible when she sung the big notes! :wub:

:frankieorangutan:

Ireland will be having 30 artists competing in a live final (and presumably semi-finals) in September to determine their debut entry in Junior Eurovision. When will they put in such effort in the main contest? :lol:

 

Maybe one year RTE should hand over responsibilities to TG4 even if it means having an entry in Irish. At least they seem a lot more bothered than RTE ever does!

Australia have been invited to take part in this! Obviously not many people care (for some reason!!), but does this mean that we can expect them back in the main contest for 2016 considering there is no special anniversary in Junior Eurovision this year?

A little update of confirmed participants and entries:

 

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Albania.png Albania: Mishela Rapo - Dambaje

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Armenia.png Armenia: MIKA - Love

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Belarus.png Belarus: Ruslan Aslanov - Volshebstvo

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Bulgaria.png Bulgaria: Gabriela Yordanova - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Georgia.png Georgia: Lizi, Tako, Elene & Data - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ireland.png Ireland: To be decided on 8th November

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Italy.png Italy: Chiara & Martina Scarpari - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/FYR_Macedonia.png Macedonia: Ivana Petkovska & Magdalena Aleksovska - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Malta.png Malta: Destiny Chukunyere - ???

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Montenegro.png Montenegro: Jana Mirković - Oluja

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Netherlands.png The Netherlands: To be decided on 3rd October

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Russia.png Russia: To be decided on 25th September

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Serbia.png Serbia: Lena Stamenković - Lenina pesma

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Slovenia.png Slovenia: To be decided on 4th October

http://www.eurovision.tv/img/upload/flags/mini/Ukraine.png Ukraine: Anna Trincher - Pochny z sebe

 

We are still possibly expecting one or two more countries to confirm participation. All 3 entries so far are solid, Ukraine is by far my favourite of them though! The Belarusian guy is a fantastic singer by the sounds of it. Still very intrigued by the Irish selection :o

Maraaya are continuing their Eurovision domination in Slovenia as they make it four-in-a-row following 'Round and Round', 'Nisi Sam' and 'Here For You' after their song won Mini EMA this evening!

Ireland will be having 30 artists competing in a live final (and presumably semi-finals) in September to determine their debut entry in Junior Eurovision. When will they put in such effort in the main contest? :lol:

 

Maybe one year RTE should hand over responsibilities to TG4 even if it means having an entry in Irish. At least they seem a lot more bothered than RTE ever does!

 

 

Very valid point, TG4 really seem to be putting in the effort which is something that can be argued that RTE have not done for years. I did like our entry from Molly this year but the format used to pick a Eurovision entry for Ireland is stale and old fashioned and it needs to be changed. I am interested to see the quality of songs for the Irish Junior competition.

I think the selection starts on Sunday (could be wrong) but I'm definitely interested to see what sort of effort has gone into it!