Country Profile Albania Participating Broadcaster: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSh) Debut Year: 2004 Best Result: 4th place (2012) Number of Entries (including 2013): 10 Worst Result: 17th place (2009) A brief look at Albania’s history in the ESC: Albania has had moderate success in the Contest, qualifying for the Final more often than not, but ultimately not placing well. Last year, Albania achieved its highest ever placing: 4th. This year’s entry: Identitet (“Identity”) Artists: Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko Lyricist: Eda Sejko Composer: Bledar Sejko About the artist: Lulgjuraj was a lawyer before becoming a rock star in the western Balkans. Sejko has been performing and competing since the late 80s. In 2011, he was the guitarist and backing vocalist for the Albanian entry. The two join forces to bring the Albanian entry this year. Semi-Final 2, Song number 14 Grand Final, Song number Country Profile Armenia Participating Broadcaster: Public Television of Armenia (ARMTV) Debut Year: 2006 Best Result: 4th place (2008) Number of Entries (including 2013): 7 Worst Result:10th place (2009) A brief look at Armenia’s history in the ESC: In its five previous attempts, Armenia has landed in the Top Ten five times making it one of the more successful countries in the Contest today. However, Armenia has yet to reach the Top Three. Armenia sat out last year’s Contest and returns this year in Malmö. This year’s entry: Lonely Planet Artist: Dorians Lyricist: Vardan Zadoyan Composer: Tony Iommi About the artist: The Dorians is a five-piece band led by singer Gor Sujyan. The band released its first album in 2011 and have become quite successful in Armenia. The composer is Tony Iommi, who was the guitarist for Black Sabbath. Semi-Final 2, Song number 11 Grand Final, Song number *Best and Worst Results are for appearances in the Grand Final only (i.e., Semi-Final results are not included). © eurovisionobsesssion.wordpress.com Country Profile Austria Participating Broadcaster: Österreichischer Rundfunk (ÖRF) Debut Year: 1957 Best Result: 1st place (1966) Number of Entries (including 2013): 45 Worst Result: Last (1957, 1991) A brief look at Austria’s history in the ESC: Austria has a love/hate relationship with the ESC, coming in the bottom ten about as often as it has come in the Top Ten. Austria is notorious for leaving the Contest, but this will be its third consecutive entry. This year’s entry: Shine Artist: Natália Kelly Lyricists: Andreas Grass, Nikola Paryla, & Natália Kelly Composers: Andreas Grass, Nikola Paryla, & Alexander Kahr About the artist: Born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA, Kelly moved to Austria in childhood. She began performing opera as a child and competed in several singing contests. In 2011, she participated on The Voice and secured a recording contract. Semi-Final 1, Song number 01 Grand Final, Song number Country Profile Azerbaijan Participating Broadcaster: İctimai Televiziya (İTV) Debut Year: 2008 Best Result: 1st place (2011) Number of Entries (including 2013): 6 Worst Result: 8th place (2008) A brief look at Azerbaijan’s history in the ESC: In every attempt, Azerbaijan has achieved a Top Ten placing and took the victory in 2011. The “Land of Fire” routinely spends the most money producing and promoting its entries. This year’s entry: Hold Me Artist: Farid Mammadov Lyricists: John Ballard & Ralph Charlie Al Fahel Composer: Dimitrios Kontopoulos About the artist: Mammadov grew up singing and wrestling. He was a member of two major Azerbaijani bands and has worked with several notable Azerbaijani musicians. Mammadov came to the attention of Kontopoulos, a famous Greek composer who’s seen ESC success, during the Azerbaijani national selection. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 04 Grand Final, Song number *Best and Worst Results are for appearances in the Grand Final only (i.e., Semi-Final results are not included). © eurovisionobsesssion.wordpress.com Country Profile Belarus Participating Broadcaster: Belarusian Television and Radio Company (BTRC) Debut Year: 2004 Best Result: 6th place (2007) Number of Entries (including 2013): 10 Worst Result: 2nd Last (2010) A brief look at Belarus’ history in the ESC: Belarus often finds itself in the role of an “also ran,” qualifying for the Final only twice, 2007 and 2010. Conversely, it is one of the most successful countries at the Junior ESC, having won twice. This year’s entry: Solayoh Artist: Alyona Lanskaya Lyricist: Martin King Composer: Marc Paelinck About the artist: Lanskaya entered the professional music world in 2005 when she competed in the Slavianski Bazaar. After being stripped of her chance to go to ESC in a controversy last year, she returned and won the national selection without issue. Semi-Final 1, Song number 11 Grand Final, Song number Country Profile Belgium Participating Broadcaster: Radio Télévision Belge Francophone (RTBF) Debut Year: 1956 Best Result: 1st place (1986) (1961, 1962, 1965, 1973, Number of Entries (including 2013): 55 Worst Result: Last 1979, 1985, 1993, 2000) A brief look at Belgium’s history in the ESC: Belgium’s two broadcasters, Walloon RTBF and Flemish VRT, alternate supplying entries. VRT has given Belgium its most recent success in 2010. Me and My Guitarwon its semi-final and came in 6th in the Final. However, it was RTBF's entry that won in 1986. This year’s entry: Love Kills Artist: Roberto Bellarosa Lyricists: Iain James & Jukka Immonen Composers: Iain James & Jukka Immonen About the artist: Bellarosa’s parents enrolled him in singing lessons as a child when he didn’t take to sports. In 2011, he won The Voice and has since become popular throughout Wallonia. His song was selected via a radio selection special. Semi-Final 1, Song number 15 Grand Final, Song number *Best and Worst Results are for appearances in the Grand Final only (i.e., Semi-Final results are not included). © eurovisionobsesssion.wordpress.com Country Profile Bulgaria Participating Broadcaster: Bulgarian National Television (BNT) Debut Year: 2005 Best Result: 5th place (2007) Number of Entries (including 2013): 9 Worst Result: 5th place (2007) A brief look at Bulgaria’s history in the ESC: Bulgaria has only succeeded in qualifying to the Final once, despite varying levels of popularity among fans for their songs. Bulgaria is known for its dance tracks and club anthems. This year’s entry: Samo Shampioni (“Only Champions”) Artist: Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov Lyricists: Elitsa Todorova & Christian Talev Composers: Elitsa Todorova & Christian Talev About the artist: Todorova and Yankulov are considered among the best percussionists in Bulgaria and have had success combining traditional folk sounds, experimental techniques, and various musical styles. The duo is also the Bulgaria’s only entry to reach the Final – they did it with Voda in 2007. Semi-Final 2, Song number 07 Grand Final, Song number Country Profile Croatia Participating Broadcaster: Hrvatska Radiotelevizija (HRT) Debut Year: 1993 Best Result: 4th place (1996, 1999) Number of Entries (including 2013): 20 Worst Result: 21st place (2008) A brief look at Croatia’s history in the ESC: While it has never won ESC as an independent nation, Yugoslavia’s lone winner, Riva, hailed from Croatia. Croatia has yet to obtain a top three placing in a Final, but has never come in last. This year’s entry: Mižerja (“Misery”) Artist: Klapa s Mora Lyricist: Goran Topolovac Composer: Goran Topolovac About the artist: Klapa is a traditional singing style from Croatia’s Dalmation Coast and is on UNESCO’s list of Europe’s invaluable cultural heritage. Klapa s Mora is comprised of six men who came together for the Contest. Semi-Final 1, Song number 04 Grand Final, Song number *Best and Worst Results are for appearances in the Grand Final only (i.e., Semi-Final results are not included). © eurovisionobsesssion.wordpress.com Country Profile Cyprus Participating Broadcaster: Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) Debut Year: 1981 Best Result: 5th place (1982,1997, 2004) Number of Entries (including 2013): 31 Worst Result: Last (1986) A brief look at Cyprus’ history in the ESC: Cyprus has not had too much success, but the nation stays vigilant. Last year’s entry, La La Love, went on to have a lot success on music charts around the continent. Cyprus is notorious for always giving 12 points to Greece. This year’s entry: An Me Thimáse (“If You Remember Me”) Artist: Despina Olympiou Lyricist: Zanon Zintillis Composer: Andreas Giorgallis About the artist: Olympiou studied voice and piano in London and began her professional career in 1992 but did not release her first album until 2000. She has since released four more albums, with great success, and has toured internationally. Semi-Final 1, Song number 14 Grand Final, Song number Country Profile Denmark Participating Broadcaster: Dansk Radio (DR) Debut Year: 1957 Best Result: 1st place (1963, 2000) Number of Entries (including 2013): 42 Worst Result: Last place (2002) A brief look at Denmark’s history in the ESC: Denmark has six Top Three finishes and one last place. The first Danish victory was wrapped in controversy when it appeared that Norway changed its votes. Ever since, votes are counted and certified prior to their announcement. This year’s entry: Only Teardrops Artist: Emmelie de Forest Lyricists: Lise Cabble, Julia Fabrin Jakobsen, & Thomas Stengaard Composers: Lise Cabble, Julia Fabrin Jakobsen, & Thomas Stengaard About the artist: Forest has been touring Denmark since her early teens. This year, she scored a major upset in the national selection, beating two heavy favorites, and has since gone on to become the leading contender for the ESC crown. Semi-Final 1, Song number 05 Grand Final, Song number *Best and Worst Results are for appearances in the Grand Final only (i.e., Semi-Final results are not included). © eurovisionobsesssion.wordpress.com Country Profile Estonia Participating Broadcaster: Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) Debut Year: 1994 Best Result: 1st place (2001) Number of Entries (including 2013): 19 Worst Result: 2nd Last (1994, 2011) A brief look at Estonia’s history in the ESC: Estonia is notorious for having, what many deem to be, the worst winning song in ESC history (a title they compete with Latvia for): Everybody.