10/10/2009 - Francesca and Mikaela from Malta appeared on Maltese show Hadd Ghalik on the 8th November. This is the same show that Sophie Debattista from JESC 2006 has been a part of.

Watch their appearance here!

10/10/2009 - Kateryna Tymoshenko, the host who will be conducting live broadcasts together with Artem Nikiforovfrom backstage during Euroweek has given an interview with the official site. Katerina wishes to be a children's English teacher, thus JESC will be the perfect opportunity for her to practise.

How did you decide to take part in the casting for the hosts?

First of all, I like children very much, and my first degree is a teacher of English language. Secondly, I think I will be a good host because I have hosted events at several Ukrainian TV channels and have certain experience of TV audience. I am very interested in this format – it combines work with children, usage of English and live broadcast. Combination of these components helped me to make a decision to attend the casting.

How are you getting ready for the 21st of November, for the Final?

I studied the data on every participant of the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, available at the official site of the contest. I also pay much attention to my English – watching films, programmes, talk with the Americans who help me to improve my language level. And I am thinking how to build my conversation with kids the best, how to find the appropriate words.

You will be hosting the contest together with Artem Nikiforov, and your synergy is very important. Well-balanced mutual support and understanding will pave the way to success. Do you have any plans to train as a pair, together?

Currently we do not communicate and are preparing separately. But during the casting rounds we talked, had coffee together. After winning the casting, we’ve been recommended to start team training, because it is highly important that we understand and feel each other. I am certain that we have time to talk and to get to know each other. But I can say that we'll find common language easily.

Do you remember when you’ve found out that this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Ukraine?

I found out at the same time when I read about the casting for the hosts on the Internet. I was very glad as I saw it as a chance to join the contest, to see and feel the Junior Eurovision Song Contest from within, to socialise with the participants and the organisers. In 2005, when Ukraine was welcoming the “big” Eurovision Song Contest, when I watched the contest, its hosts, I started thinking that I want very much for our country to host it again, and to host it myself. And my dreams came true at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Do you link your career with TV?

Yes I am thinking about creating my own social talk-show, where we could discuss important and delicate issues yet without being obsessed with the negative things, search also for something positive in the life of the Ukrainians. But I want to focus on children. As a child I dreamt of being a teacher and dedicating my life to the kids. And precisely because of the TV I can influence the Ukrainians, helping them to pay more attention to both their own kids and orphaned children.

What would you focus on as the host of 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest?

I am yet to discuss this with the producers of the contest. But as for me, I see this contest as a celebration for children. And this is why I must behave not as a teacher, but rather as a friend, supporting the participants in any possible way. I shouldn’t accent their attention on competitive streak of the contest, on the fact that there will be only one winner. I must create the atmosphere of celebration.

Please tell a bit more about yourself. What are your hobbies, how do you spend your free time?

I am a volunteer for an international human rights organisation. I am working on such important social problems as human trafficking, prevention of cruelty to children, gender inequality issues. In the past I was very serious about ballet. But when I had to choose – foreign languages or professional ballet, I chose studying languages. But every year on the 31st of December I visit the Opera Theatre for the Nutcracker ballet show, this is my tradition. Ballet will always be in my heart. Apart from English language I also know German, but I thought this isn’t enough and I recently started learning French, too. I have an active life – sports, dances, education, I also dedicate much time to my lovely pet dog Umka.

What do you expect from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for yourself?

I want new impressions, socialising with kids, and experience in hosting such a massive event. I want to experience back-stage Internet broadcast. This year this will be a new feature of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and I am very keen on seeing it in process.

What does it mean for you, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest?

When I worked at one of the TV channels, we were visited by Nazar Slisarchuk, the very first participant from Ukraine on the Junior Eurovision. We had a conversation and I thought, such a young kid, he’s already been through such a large-scale event as this contest. I do not remember exactly his age at the time, but he conducted himself very much unlike a child, he was self-confident, adult-behaving singer who knows what he wants from life, who already sees his future and links it to music. At that time I thought that the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is a perfect chance for children to blossom, to discover leadership qualities. This international contest helps young gifted singers to open up to the world, to show their talents and, possibly, to choose their future profession.

10/10/2009 - Ioana Anuta from Romania has released several other songs, which can be listened to below.

06/11/2009 - Recently Ukraine has been overwhelmed with the Flu virus, causing the government to section off parts of the country and prohibit travel between regions. Of course, this rather dampens the JESC teams plans to bring in orphans and sick children from all over the country to watch the show.We can't have a JESC without an audience, but luckily they have finally organised the tickets. To receive tickets just send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by the 14th of November. The request can be informal but you should point out the amount of tickets and the name of the person to whose name the tickets will be booked for.

It's only two weeks until the JESC and preparations are going as planned, despite the flu scare. Further to a comprehensive review of the current situation in Ukraine and discussions between European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Host Broadcaster NTU and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, a decision has been reached that the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, will take place on 21 November at the Palats Sportu in Kyiv, Ukraine.

"The health of the young contestants from 13 countries and the production crew is our absolute priority. The EBU has received reassurances from the Host Broadcaster NTU and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health that appropriate action will be taken to reduce the risk of infection by the H1N1 flu virus. In addition, the health of all involved in the event will be monitored closely," says Bjørn Erichsen, TV Director at the EBU.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Health assured, amongst other measures, to provide daily health check-ups of those who are working and participating at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, additional hygiene facilities at official event locations and flu information points, staffed with medical experts. The EBU already distributed the Ministry of Health's hygiene recommendations to all participating delegations.

The WHO continues to recommend no closing of borders and no restrictions on international travel, including to Ukraine. Experience shows that such measures will not stop further spread of the virus, the WHO states on its website (source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/).
Sweden is still threatening to withdraw if they are worried, but we must hope they will abstain. They've announced that they will air the show the next morning and use a 100% televote.  It is seeming rather like.. Sweden doesn't care about JESC at all.. with no national final either. A sort of... send Mimmi then we're out.. situation I'm sensing. I hope not, Sweden has more than just the Sanden's.. however brilliant they are.
 
On a fun note, Bobi Andonov has released two episodes of his vlog now -
ep 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjMMmA6bYck
ep 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS1syFz7GYI

02/11/2009 – The JESC month is finally here, and to kick it off we present you with an exclusive interview with the lovely girls from Malta, Francesca & Mikaela! They have finished their shopping for Kiev and are preparing for their good luck concert on the 8th of November, to be held in The Duke Shopping Mall in Gozo at 6pm. Any Maltese readers should make the effort to attend and support Double Trouble! Here is the interview:

Q. Congratulations on winning the Maltese final! What made you two decide to enter the JESC as Double Trouble? Have you sung together previously?

Mikaela - Thanks! I met Francesca at singing lessons about a year ago. When I was considering participating solo in JESC Malta, Francesca approached me and asked me if I can join her as a duet to enter JESC which after further consideration I accepted. We decide to compete in this year’s JESC with “Double Trouble” because our characters are opposites and when we meet you know what happens! And no, we sung only in choirs together before this.

Francesca - Thank You! I usually like to sing ballad songs but I always wanted to have a fun song and as Mikaela already said we created Double Trouble. No we never sung together as a duet before.

Q. How did you feel when you realized you’d won the preselection? How did your friends and family react? What have your classmates said?

Francesca - I felt very happy and excited to be going to Ukraine. My family started crying and when I went back to school, my friends and school mates congratulated me and started to ask me questions on this experience.

Mikaela - I was very very happy and I cried a lot because at that moment I did not believe that we won first place from participants from Malta and Gozo. Well I just started a new adventure at my new secondary school, and all of my classmates are new to me. At first, when I went to school after the competition, they didn’t recognize me, as my hair is different from what they saw on TV. When they realized I was the winner of JESC Malta my classmates were happy that I am in their class and congratulated me and kept asking me to sing for them.

Q. Do the people of Gozo recognize you, are they proud to be represented finally in the JESC?

Mikaela - Yes they do recognize me, both when I am out on my own, and when I am with Francesca. The Gozitan people are very proud of us to finally be represented in the JESC.

Francesca - Yes of course, Gozo is a very small island. They are very proud that Mikaela and I won and are now representing Malta in the JESC in Ukraine.

Q. Can you tell all the readers a little bit about yourselves?

Francesca - Ok!! I turned 14 last August, I love singing and acting, enjoy going out with friends and teasing Mikaela of course! I like playing football and my favourite subjects in school are Chemistry, Spanish and Creative Arts.

Mikaela - Well! My name is Mikaela, I am 10 years old, and I live in a small village called Munxar on the island of Gozo in Malta. I started singing solo 2 years ago. My hobbies are singing, dancing, playing with my friends, swimming and drawing. My favourite educational subjects this year are German and Science.

Q. Is your song about your own friendship with each other?

Francesca - Yes it is, I do tend to tease Mikaela when we meet at the singing lessons and that is where our friendship continues to evolve.

Mikaela - As Francesca said, yes the song “Double Trouble” is about our own friendship with each other.

Q. What are you doing to prepare for the Eurovision? Have you been undertaking extra singing lessons? Are you preparing a special dance for your act, or will it stay the same as the national final?

Mikaela - We are juggling between school and rehearsals to prepare for the big day. We can only manage a few extra singing lessons every week, as we have to cope with school homework also. The performance will be quite similar to the one in the Malta Junior Eurosong, but there will be a few surprises too.

Francesca - We are preparing the props and clothes and all the things we have to take with us to Kiev. Obviously we did some modifications in our choreography, yet the original theme is still the same. Mikaela and I are taking some extra lessons so that we will be well prepared for the final.

Q. Will you be changing the costumes; do you have anything planned yet? What about props? Can you tell everyone what your final performance will be like, or is that secret?

Francesca - Yes there will be some modifications in both the costumes and the props, but we are keeping it as a secret so all the fans will see them on the final night.

Mikaela - We cannot give away our secrets before the show. Francesca you need to be more careful with our secrets. Our final performance will be full of fun for everyone to enjoy.

Q. Who will travel with you two (Francesca and Mikaela) to Kiev? Will you be accompanied by any backing dancers/singers?

Mikaela - My father, and our vocal teacher Miriam Chritine. “Double Trouble” is based on our friendship so we felt there was no need for dancers.

Francesca - We are traveling with our vocal teacher and our parents and the crew from PBS and we will not have any backing singers or dancers accompanying us on stage.

Q. Who have you liked from previous Junior Eurovision contests? What has been your favourite Maltese entry?

Francesca - I liked the twins from Russia and my favourite Maltese entry is Daniel Testa’s “Junior Swing”.

Mikaela - My favourites are last year’s Belarus entry Darya, Karina and Alina “Serte Belaru” and my favourite Maltese entry is “Junior Swing” by Daniel Testa.

Q. Have you spoken to any of the past Maltese representatives – Sarah Harrison, Young Talent Team, Thea, Sophie, Cute or Daniel, did they give you any advice if so?

Mikaela - Yeah, we spoke to Daniel Testa and he was very helpful. He shared a lot of information from his experience in the Junior Eurovision.

Francesca - Yes we talked to Daniel and he gave us very good advice, thanks Daniel.

Q. Have you heard the songs of the other contestants for this year? What do you think of them? Have you spoken to any of them?

Francesca - I heard all of them and I think there are a lot of good songs. No we haven’t made any contact with any of them yet.

Mikaela - I heard them all and saw their performances. There are a lot of nice songs and very good voices. No we haven’t spoken to any yet, but we are looking forward to meet and become friends with them.

Q. Which song do you think will win the Junior Eurovision 2009, who is your main competition?

Mikaela - Well I really don’t know who will win as I believe that each song is special. I can’t decide on the songs I like most. In fact I can safely say that I like them all. A big good luck to everyone.

Francesca - Its difficult to say who will win because there a lot of good songs and fantastic voices. It’s an honour to be singing with such talented young artists.

Q. It is not just about a competition though, are you looking forward to meeting so many new friends in Ukraine? Have either of you traveled for singing before or will this be a new experience?

Francesca - Yes of course that is the main reason I am so looking forward to Kiev. I never travelled for a singing event before, so it will be a new experience which I am sure I will remember for a long time.

Mikaela - I am very much looking forward to meet so many new friends from different countries at once. Oh yes we travel by ferry to Malta for singing but it is going to be my first overseas and I am sure that this will be my nicest experience ever!!!

Q. Have you been busy with all these extra performances, combined with your normal life and school? Is it tiring?

Francesca - We have been busy with extra performances after winning JESC Malta and I try to fit everything with a time table. I don’t think it’s that tiring though.

Mikaela - For me it is a bit tiring because immediately after JESC Malta I had to prepare my self for the new school I was going to attend, so I didn’t have much time to recoup from the previous rehearsals for the JESC performance. Francesca is more laid back than me so she didn’t feel tired at all.

Q. Will you be releasing a CD at any time? How will you be promoting your entry in the lead up to JESC?

Mikaela - We will be releasing a CD in the coming days.

Francesca - Our entry will be promoted mostly through the internet and websites like yours.

Q. Finally, what are your plans for the future?

Francesca - We are still deciding what to do in the near future. We have recorded a new song together which we plan to release soon. We will keep our fans posted with our future projects. Thank you very much for this interview and for all the help and support.

Mikaela - I will be releasing a new song on my own in the coming months, and hopefully one day I will release a cd album with all my songs. I enjoy Francesca’s company and I surely will sing again with her in the future if the opportunity arises.

Thank you and good luck in Kyiv Double Trouble! :) Readers, if you think Malta should win JESC, vote for them in the poll to the left. Results will be released at the start of Euroweek '09!

Halloween 2009 - Ani Lorak has told the official site of the JESC about her plans for this years JESC. I'll now utilise my copy and paste function, and you my dear reader, can enjoy this interview. Most interesting thing about it? She's hosting for free, very generous of her!

Do you remember the moment you found out that the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest would take place in Ukraine?

About three months ago I saw one of the posters in the city and was very happy because I think that Ukraine deserves to host this contest. We’re a very hospitable nation and undoubtedly, we’ll organise the contest at the highest level.

Why did you agree to become the host of the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest?

I’ll tell you a secret - though this is not a secret, actually - my participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is non-profit. My decision to become the host of the event is purely patriotic. I want Ukraine only to have a positive image in Europe. Many remember my performance at the last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, my emotions on the stage. When Europe sees me on the screen again, some people will recall me, smile, and maybe even be surprised (in the good sense of the word). I plan to start thorough preparation for the contest because I want the viewers to enjoy the beauty, music and skills of the host.

Have you already had any thoughts on how will you host the contest? After all, kids aren’t grown-ups, they need a special approach?

I am convinced this won’t be hard for us. I am not far from childhood – there is a little girl in me who looks at the big world with a happy smile, believes that there are more good people than bad ones, and genuinely believes in goodness. I think this will unite me with the kids – the dream, the smile, the positive thinking. Anyway, I love kids, they are the loveliest and appreciating audience. So I am sure we will have a good time.

When you get your own kids, would you want them to perform on stage?

To be honest, I’d prefer my children wouldn't go to show-business. There is a load of hard day-to-day work hiding behind stage lights. And if you don’t give your heart out, you wouldn’t have real success. If I start doing something, I fully commit to that task. For me, the work started immediately after I agreed to host the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. I’m thinking about this 24/7, working on something within myself, adding something, possibly even finding something new.

What goals do you personally have as the host of the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest?

Our main goal is to give to people so much love, sunshine, energy, talent, that they forget where they are and, at least for these two hours, land in the world of music and beauty. Our goal – to hypnotise all of Europe and everyone coming to Ukraine so that they fall in love with our country, our Ukrainian soul. Because Ukraine is full of sincere and warm-hearted people.

30/10/2009 - Sara Markoska, who will carry Macedonia's dreams in the Junior Eurovision 2009, has granted junioreurosong.net with an exclusive interview.

Hi Sara, congratulations on winning the Macedonian preselection!

1. Can you introduce yourself to the readers? Tell us a bit about yourself :)
-Hey guys… I’m Sarah and I’m from Macedonia. I’m 14 years old and I’m an eight grader. I’m persistent, kind and a friendly girl with a big heart and a clean soul :)
My greatest love is singing. I’ll represent Macedonia on JESC this year with my song “For Love”. I’m also dancing, playing piano, hanging with friends and studying of course :)

2. What inspired you to write “ For Love”? Can you tell everyone what it is about? Did you have any help in creating your entry?
-This time I met one boy and I liked him very very much :) For the first time in my life I felt the butterflies in my stomach. So that was my inspiration to write the text and to create basic melody later on. I want to say thanks to my sister Emi, who helped me write the text!

3. How did you feel when you were announced the winner?
-I was very excited and happy and felt like crying at the same time. I was stunned. I reached the stage and sang the song one more time. It was great :)

4. What have the reactions in your hometown been to your victory? Have you been recognised by anyone? What have your schoolmates said?
-The reactions were great. Yeah I’ve been recognized by some people. Thanks to my family, my friends and everyone that voted for me. They all supported me and were very glad that I won. So I can only promise that I will do my best in Kyiv :) I hope that everyone will like it… :)

5. What is it like to live in Macedonia? Do you wish to stay there forever or will you one day travel the world? :D
-I love Macedonia. The living here is great. But I’m also an adventurer so I like to travel a lot. But I know that in whatever place I go Macedonia will be in my heart and I will bring myself back here :)

6. Why did you decide to enter the Junior Eurovision, have you always been interested in singing? Do you have much experience singing in front of large crowds?
-I have always been interested in singing. I’m singing since I started to talk basically :) This year I graduated in the musical school “Ilija Nikolovski- Luj”. I’m playing piano for 6 years too. My 1st song was in 2006. I’ve been participated in many festivals like: “Asterisks” 3rd and 2nd place, “Sun, happiness and Beauty” in Bulgaria – 3rd place, “Super Zvezda Teens”- 1st place, in Ukraine- 2nd place, in Montenegro- 3rd place etc. So I have big international experience.

7. How will you change your performance from the national final to the final in Kiev? What will your dance routines be like? How about the costumes. Can we expect any major changes?
- The whole performance will be changed. There will be many visual effects. The dancers will be changed as well. On stage with me there will be: Iva, Tanja, Teodora, Bisera and Daniel. The costumes will be changed too, but I don’t want to disclose something more, cause I want to let the audience enjoy my full story off my song on 21st of November :)

8. How have you been preparing for the contest, is your schedule busy at the moment?
-Yes, it is very busy. I go to singing lessons every day and I’m singing basically all the time. Me and the guys are preparing a lot. We have rehearsals every day and we work very hard. So I hope u’ll like it :)

9. Who will travel with you to Kiev? Will you be accompanied by any backing dancers/singers?
- Of course there will be the previously mentioned 5 dancers with me on the stage. Also accompanying me are my parents, my sister, a few of my friends and the delegation from MRTV.

10. Will you release an English version of Za Ljubovta? And do you have plans to create a CD in the future? Do you want to continue with a musical career?
- I hope that there will be an English version of the song but I’m not sure if I can make it before JESC unfortunately. I plan to make a CD in the future, and of course I will continue with singing because that is truly what I want to do in the future.

11. What are your aims for the Eurovision? Are you looking forward to Kyiv?
- Well I’m going there to meet friends and have some fun. But the most important thing is to be concentrated on the contest. But I have one wish and dream, and that is to win this JESC :)

12. How will you be promoting your entry in the lead up to JESC?
- Well there will be a CD with my song, a photo session with my group, t-shirts and flyers…

13. What type of music do you like, and does this influence you?
- I’m listening to pop, rnb and hip-hop mostly. I see myself singing in the future this type of song, trendy with a fast beat :).

14. Which song do you think will win the Junior Eurovision 2009, who is your main competition?
- All of the songs are great. I have my favorites but I won’t tell them, cause it won’t be nice for the other countries. So I’ll just keep it in myself :)

15. Have you heard the songs of the other contestants for this year? What do you think of them? Have you spoken to any of them?
- Yes I heard them all, and the competition will be very hard this year because they all are great. About the connectivity, No I haven’t spoken with them. I have enough time to do that in Kyiv :)

16. Have you spoken to any of the past Macedonian contestants – Marija & Victoria, Martina, Denis, Zana, Rosica & Dimitar or Bobi? If so, have they given you any advice?
- Yeah, of course I’ve spoken to them. I spoke with Bobi, Rosica and Dimitar and they all told me just to believe in myself and to give my best.

17. Who have you liked from previous Junior Eurovision contests? What has been your favourite Macedonian entry?
- Well, I liked Bobby, Rosica and Dimitar… than Bzbikebi from Georgia, Frida from Sweden, Trust for Belgium etc.

Thanks for the interview Sara, good luck in Kiev we will be cheering for you!

Thanks a lot :) That means a lot for me :)

If you want to support Sara, vote for her in the poll to the left, and make her the fan favourite. If you want to hear more of her songs, check out these:

Sara Markoska's performance on Asterisks 2008

Her JESC song, For Love

Sama Niz Sahara - 2006

Mislis na Mene - 2007

Zvezdite ne Lazat - 2007

Sara on Camp Rock show

Ljubov I Muzika – 2008 – Festival Male Skale performance

29/10/2009 - With the JESC 2009 looming, I thought we'd talk a little about the fan favourite for 2008, Bobi Andonov. Where is he now? Still living in Melbourne, Australia, he now goes by the name Bobby, not Bobi. He is managed by Mamasusu Management and his booking agent is BecJam Productions. Since Eurovision, Bobby has been composing and recording songs for an upcoming EP, Jericho Blue. He has attracted the attention of Medici Music (Paul Morgan) and will be recording the EP in November. He has also released an exclusive youtube promo video of his own arrangement of the Tonic song ‘If You Could Only See’ . In early 2010, Bobby will be touring Europe, performing concerts in the Balkan countries and Europe, including the Netherlands (Amsterdam) in April. You can check out his website which is still under development here. 

You can find Bobi on youtube under 'Bobbyteevee', which is a new project he is launching soon.

29/10/2009 - Luara from Armenia has released a remix to 'Barcelona'! No country has done this before and it is an excellent idea, everyone should do it. The remix is much more disco/club-like than the original, but also slower in a way. I prefer the studio original, but you be the judge! Check out the remix here.

 The Lyrics to 'Barcelona':