KYIV, UKRAINE – This is the last post from the live coverage of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013. In this post, as we traditionally do we sum all the experience of the oikotimes.com team and friends who helped us bring you the latest information and once again the most enriched multimedia.
CITY OF KYIV: PROS & CONS
Well we knew all of the beggining that English is not something the Ukrainians speak so we knew we need to take care of ourselves. But this city is definitely worth to visit for many reasons: First because people are smiley and friendly. Second because they hug you and show you big hospitality mood. Third because the city is amazing. I loved the architecture which combines the old Soviet style with the modern builings and the amazing churches, museums. Although bit traffic in the city it was a pleasure to walk in Kyiv and discover great variety of shops, coffeeshops with amazing fresh blended coffee and nice restaurants covering all kinds of tastes. Fourth, because the metro can really save you from big traffic especially since taxis in Kyiv are not to trust (when it comes to pricing).
FOLLOW AGAIN THE ENTIRE COVERAGE HERE
WAS JESC 2013 A GOOD SHOW?
Well I honestly cannot say it was a perfect show but I have to be fair and admit that it was an honest effort and a hard worked one. There might have been problems with the sound all over the show and with the live broadcast (i.e. the scrubbled Belarusian postcard, or bad lights in sevral songs) but overall it was a good show which we will remember.
What really impressed us were the following:
:: For the first time a Junior Eurovision event had a themed stage and not a vague abstract shapes. This is due to the excellent work of Elias Ledakis from Greece along with the logo designer Vaggelis Ntetzes. I have to admit though that the stag was amazing in the arena more than on the monitors. I think the camera work in this contest didn’t project the glory of the stage enough.
:: Although the interval was too big this year and we were kind of waiting and waiting, it’s fair to admit that NTU and EBU managed to have for the very first time the senior Eurovision winner to perform on JESC. Emmelie was simply an asset to the show and for sure she must have brought extra attention and TV rates on November 30th.
:: Timur and Zlata were descent hosts although they decided to skip the opening act magic trick with which Zlata would have been brought to stage through a magical box. Zlata’s performance in the interval was stunning and proved again why Ukraine was also a favourite in Malmoe’s Eurovision edition.
:: There was a fair winner: Malta’s Gaia Cauchi was simply the best no matter what anyone can say. Malta should have won and proudly the country will host the 2014 edition. Her family and team wer friendly with everyone and one of the few delegations which never asked anything from the press as promotion. They went on this year’s JESC with only Gaia’s voice and talent and they won! Gaia’s victory and Maltese hosting next year will surely motivate me to attend the 2014 edition as well.
THE EUROVISION LARRY KING
Jurgen Borning (aka JP) from Radio International justified once again the title of the Eurovision Larry King. His support and sharing made the interview projects (also aired on oikotimes.com) simply the best on the web once again this year. Creative and always on duty, he managed to organize and book all artists and guests for the interviews with interesting Q&As. Special thanks of course to his assistance Lukasz who also was there and helped both team bring you the most excellent videos amongst all fan sites.
AMAZING EBU TEAM
This was a truly happy team. Fresh and full of energy the EBU team was always there for us not only for work but also to save the day. Fist of all Vlad Yakovlev gave his best to make this event a big international show as it deserves. His hard work for the past on year was simply amazing. He managed to have 12 countries in the show, UK broadcast and observers from Germany and Hungary who are keen to enter the contest next year.
There is also a precious person that needs to be credited and hugged all day: the Aussie Princess Kath Lockett, the EBU’s Press Officer. Honestly if she wasn’t there I am not sure that oikotimes.com would have covered the event. Besides her excellent communication skills, this woman is your friend from the very first moment. We all love and worship her and we hope EBU will keep her. She is an asset for this show!
FRIENDLY NTU TEAM
I am personally aware that if there is someone that can handle pressure and stress as if she was a Super Woman, that is Victoria Romanova. Not because she did her job excellent, but because she handled all crisis during the week with absolut professionalism, saving the contest from a complete collapse especially when the goverment – production team crisis almost cancelled the event.
I would also like to thank Lily Bobrovnik-Yamborak from NTU, not only for her amazing assistance but also for her support during the stolen computer incident. She was there for our team and made sure that all our requests were made true. She always smiles to people although working 24/7 and although exhausted she was always helpful and supportive.
POLITICS & MESS
The political developments in Kyiv didn’t mess with Junior Eurovision and we never felt insecure in the city. We understand the country is going through a change and we would like to say that our heart is with our Ukrainian friends who struggle for a better life and more democracy. My personal view is that Ruslana did wise by choosing to support her nation is much more important than singing in the show.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Ukrainian Police and venue securities for doing anything possible to solve the incident with the stolen computer from our team which literally almost destroyed the entire press trip.
SPECIAL THANKS
I personally need to thank Olga for helping us out once again, Yana and Julia for amazing assistance and support with our trip in Kyiv and Konstantin for really saving the entire press trip. Big hug and a kiss to Aija Medinika, for been around and for a great collaboration. I would personally like to thank Marc Mingels and Isanne Yard for tollerating me and giving 1000% of themselves as volunteers for this year’s coverage. Special thanks to the rest of the oikotimes.com team (Olivier Rocher, Stefan Resimic and Luka Popovic) for helping out from back home, so the website remain updated when it comes to senior Eurovision Song Contest.
A BIT THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
To President Hotel Kyiv for amazing hosting, services (especially the wifi) and very helpful stuff
To Ukrainian Airlines for the flight which made the trip safe and easy
To Orange Telecoms for the technical assitance
so goodbye Ukraine and thank you Kyiv!
You must be logged in to post a comment.