ESC Insight The Unofficial Guide To The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest www.escinsight.com Samantha Ross and John Paul Lucas Table of Contents Editors’ Introduction....................................................................................................................... 5 Albania........................................................................................................................................... 6 Armenia......................................................................................................................................... 8 Australia....................................................................................................................................... 10 Austria......................................................................................................................................... 12 Azerbaijan.................................................................................................................................... 14 Belarus........................................................................................................................................ 16 Belgium........................................................................................................................................ 18 Bosnia & Herzegovina................................................................................................................. 20 Bulgaria....................................................................................................................................... 22 Croatia......................................................................................................................................... 24 Cyprus......................................................................................................................................... 26 Czech Republic........................................................................................................................... 28 Denmark...................................................................................................................................... 30 Estonia......................................................................................................................................... 32 Finland......................................................................................................................................... 35 France......................................................................................................................................... 37 Georgia........................................................................................................................................ 39 Germany...................................................................................................................................... 41 Greece......................................................................................................................................... 43 Hungary....................................................................................................................................... 45 Iceland......................................................................................................................................... 47 Ireland.......................................................................................................................................... 49 Israel............................................................................................................................................ 51 Italy.............................................................................................................................................. 53 Latvia........................................................................................................................................... 55 Lithuania...................................................................................................................................... 57 Macedonia................................................................................................................................... 59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESC Insight – Unofficial Guide to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Page 2 of 92 Malta............................................................................................................................................ 61 Moldova....................................................................................................................................... 63 Montenegro................................................................................................................................. 65 Norway........................................................................................................................................ 67 Poland......................................................................................................................................... 69 Romania...................................................................................................................................... 71 Russia.......................................................................................................................................... 73 San Marino.................................................................................................................................. 75 Serbia.......................................................................................................................................... 77 Slovenia....................................................................................................................................... 79 Spain........................................................................................................................................... 81 Switzerland.................................................................................................................................. 85 The Netherlands.......................................................................................................................... 87 Ukraine........................................................................................................................................ 89 United Kingdom........................................................................................................................... 91 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESC Insight – Unofficial Guide to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Page 3 of 92 Editors’ Introduction John’s word... Hej och välkommen till Sverige! Yes, it's back to Scandinavia for Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, which is bad news for our wallets but great news for the viewers at home as no country throws themselves into the Eurovision experience quite like the Swedes. This year we've got a record-equalling 43 countries, (well, we did), a controversial new voting structure, and the return of Petra Mede to cast our critical eyes on, and we can't wait to get started. So enjoy this guidebook, and keep supporting ESC Insight - we really couldn't do it without you... Samantha’s word… Thanks for picking up ESC Insight’s 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Guidebook! The theme for this year’s event in Stockholm is “Come Together”, which (cheeky double entendres aside) truly is the essence of the our beloved Contest. Whether they’re artists collaborating on a song, tech crews creating an incredible television event, throngs of fans from all over the world cheering as one in the audience, delegations mingling behind the scenes, or families hanging out on in the living room trying to pick their favorites, Eurovision has the power to unite people. Wherever you’ll be on the night of the shows, I’d like to thank you for reading, listening to, or otherwise supporting ESC Insight. I think I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say how grateful we are that you’ve decided to Come Together with us! (Why is everybody laughing?) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESC Insight – Unofficial Guide to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest Page 4 of 92 Albania At a Glance Song: Fairytale Love Artist: Eneda Tarifa Composer: Olsa Toqi Lyricist: Olsa Toqi Performing: 17th in Semifinal Two About the Artist 34-year-old Tirana native Eneda Tarifa launched her career back in 2002 with the song ‘Qëndroj’, which was a finalist in that year’s Festivali i Këngës. Since then, she’s participated in a number of Albanian musical competititions, including Kënga Magjike and Top Fest, which she won in 2010. Eneda has also appeared on television as the host of the comedy and variety show Portokalli. She and her husband, Erjon Zaloshnja, have one daughter, Aria. Albania in Eurovision Appearances: 13 Debut: 2004 Victory: - Best: 5th - 2012: Suus, by Rona Nishliu, with 146 points Semi Finals: Qualified 2004, 2005, 2008 - 2010, 2012, 2015. Recent History 2015: I’m Alive, by Elhaida Dani, 17th in the final with 34 points 2014: One Night’s Anger, by Hersi Matmuja, 15th in the semi with 22 points 2013: Identitet, by Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko, 15th in the semi with 31 points. 2012: Suus, by Rona Nishliu, 5th