Welcome back to another episode of ‘Junior Eurovision back in time’. In this 11th episode, we take you back to Ukraine. In 2013, the country’s capital Kyiv hosted the kids contest for the second time. What do you remember from Junior Eurovision 2013?
Quick things to know
- Date: 30 November
- Venue: Palace ‘Ukraine’
- Host broadcaster: NTU
- Presenters: Timur Miroshnychenko & Zlata Ognevic
- Number of entries: 12
In 2013 the Junior Eurovision Song Contest came to Kiev in Ukraine for the second time. Just like in 2009, Timur was also allowed to present the show in 2013 together with an ex-Eurovision participant. That honor was reserved for Zlata Ognevic in 2013. Zlata represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. She finished third with her fairytale ballad ‘Gravity’.
Participating countries
Also in 2013, the number of participants remained at the lowest ever. 12 countries were represented in Kiev, but some relocations took place. We said goodbye to three countries, among them debutants from Albania and Israel last year. Belgium was the most striking retreat. The country has participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest since the very beginning and has never skipped once. Although they never won the festival, they have almost always achieved good results. Belgium therefore officially withdrew in 2013 and has never returned since then. On the other hand, we welcomed two returning countries, namely Malta and Northern Macedonia. Kyiv also received a debutant, San Marino.
Full list of participating countries:
- Sweden: Eliias – Det är dit vi ska
- Azerbaijan: Rustam Karimov – Me And My Guitar
- Armenia: Monica Avanesyan – Choco Factory
- San Marino: Michele Perniola – O-o-O Sole intorno a me
- North Macedonia: Barbara Popovic – Ohrid i muzika
- Ukraine: Sofia Tarasova – We Are One
- Belarus: Ilya Volkov – Poy so mnoy
- Moldova: Rafael Bobeica – Cum să fim
- Georgia: The Smile Shop – Give Me Your Smile
- The Netherlands: Mylène & Rosanne – Double Me
- Malta: Gaia Cauchi – The Start
- Russia: Dayana Kirillova – Dream On
Interval acts
Emmelie de Forest
The Danish Eurovision 2013 winner Emmelie de Forest sang her winning song ‘Only Teardrops’.
Anastasiya Petryk
The winner of Junior Eurovision 2012, Anastasiya Petryk, sang a brand new song. The song was called ‘Winner’.
Common song
Traditionally, the Juniors performed a joint song on stage. The song was called ‘Be Creative’.
Zlata Ognevic
Finally, co-host Zlata sang a medley of some enchanting songs, including of course ‘Gravity’.
Top 3
- 3. Belarus: Ilya Volkov – Poy so Mnoy
- 2. Ukraine: Sofia Tarasova – We Are One
- 1. Malta: Gaia Cauchi – The Start
Gaia Cauchi wins Junior Eurovision 2013
The small island has been taking part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest since the very beginning. They really love the festival, but unfortunately have never been able to win. After 2010 they decided to withdraw. After two years, Malta made a comeback, and what a comeback! Gaia Cauchi convinced and thus won the first ever win for Malta. The small country is reborn. Gaia received points from all other countries including the kids jury. She received the maximum 12 points five times. They came from the kids jury, North Macedonia, Moldova, The Netherlands and Ukraine.
Three trophies
For the first time, not only was the winner honoured, but the entire top three received a trophy at the end of the show!
Some fun facts
- Ilya Volkov was one of the background dancers for the Belarusian entry in JESC 2012.
- The spokespersons also travelled to Kyiv to give the points in the name of their country.
- Four no-participating countries broadcasted the show: Australia, Greece, Kosovo and United Kingdom.
- Cyprus showed interest to participate, but decided to not do it after all.
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