Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Although a small nation with a small language and so scant prospects of producing TV concepts with international appeal, Denmark has none the less managed to create something new and powerful with Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) - something to capture the audience unlike the vast array of shows featuring forgettable people in pointless situations. The idea of televising a song contest with children first began in 2000 as a spin-off from a children's show on DR TV, but already the next year it was launched on Danish TV as an independent show called "mgp 2001" - and became an instant success! It was only natural that the show would spawn, first, a Nordic version in 2002 and then, in 2003, the international version. This was not just a European "box" placed on top of the Danish show; all 16 entrants to the JESC 2003 had organized their own national contests thereby establishing a new TV tradition which hopefully will continue and develop in the future. An international children's song contest is about showing that children are competent, possessed of sufficient energy, willpower and skills to lift a show on this scale. Bear in mind that the youngest entrant was only eight years old, and by no means the worst. Unlike the ESC for grown-ups, where entrants may deliver songs written by just about anyone else than themselves, entrants to the JESC have to perform songs which are clearly their own. This JESC rule has added new zest to an institution lately considered somewhat sclerotic, and in a few years the Junior ESC may conceivably have supplanted the grown-up version as the preferred song contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest is held every year by countries across europe. The country that wins the contest is where the location of the next ESC takes place. Last years(2003)winner was Sertab Erener from Turkey, so this year the contest will be held in the capital Istanbul.

I always watch Eurovision and was surprised that they made a junior version, i decided to watch it and was surprised how talented the kids were and how great the songs was. The event for the junior version was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. There was only about 2 songs that were sang in english including Tom Morley's 'My Song for the world' and Sarah from Malta's 'Like a star'. You should'nt let this put you off because even though most of the songs you probably wont understand they are very catchy and well performed by the kids. The songs that i enjoyed are as follows, Tom Morley from the U.K with his 'My Song for the world' was excellent the lyrics are about making the world a better place, the song really is touching, he came third. Norway's song sinnsykt gal forelsket(Madly crazy about you)was a love song that was performed well and sung great by Charlot and Wakim but it didnt do too well in the scores. Another great song that i really enjoyed was sung by the FYR Macedonia, ti ne me posnavas(I wanna be your friend)it was catchy. From what i heard when i watched this on T.V the girls mimed during the rehersals and that was in breach of the rules, but the song is great. Little Volea's song from Belarus, Tantsui(Dance) was colourful and impressive. Now to the winner which was Dino from Croatia (Ti si moja prva ljubav), he performs his song by piano and then the music becomes loud and he gets up and sings and dance's, the song was just OK. Now to my favourite song who i thought should have won it. The hosts nation, Anne from Denmark. She sings Arabien Dream with such sweetness and enthusiasm. The overall 'Arabien dressed theme' did remind me of last years winner Sertab Erener when she sang 'Everyway that i can'. But nonetheless this was a great catchy song, and i loved the choreography. I think there was about two or three sets of twins as the background dancers.

But its not all perfect there was a few songs i didnt enjoy. Those include Poland's entry (tos mi nosi), nothing against the little girl who sings it but its just a dreadful song. It isnt catchy and lasts too long. The Honeypies from Sweden sing Stoppa Mig which translate in english as 'Stop Me'. The girls who sing this song seem to shout it and near the end they appear to laugh at each other for a few seconds i dont know whether this was intentional but it doesnt sound right for the song. The Netherlands song, i cant remember the title but i do remember not liking it(i think the guy who sang it came last anyway)but i didnt think it wasnt a very enjoyable song.

The Eurovision Song Contest will always have a place in my heart because its a fun, eagerly anticipated, and a suspenseful event thats fun to watch (especially when its score time.) The Junior version was well done and impressed me a lot, if you get a chace to watch it i recommend you do so.