All the countries are now on the second rehearsal run-throughs, giving the acts more time to iron out the staging, the camera work and the lighting of what we will see on Saturday night at the Final.
Seeing the costumes and props for the first time is giving both the delegations and the press centre attendees a buzz. We watched the Bulgarians take off, jumping from a large dark box multiple times during their act, and we sat bewildered wondering why exactly a motor scooter was wheeled on then wheeled off during the Latvian rehearsals (a little premature, as it was meant to be for Lerika from Moldova).
With the performances now all coming together and everyone in attendence becoming more confident in the host country to deliver a great show, the mood has relaxed somewhat throughout. What small hiccups there were in the opening day (missing signage, lack of lighting and heating) have been fixed with what seems on our end, little fuss.
Organisationally, the rehearsal time has run smoothly, and although lacking in the more official elements of the senior contest with no scheduled press conferences held by each country, the delegations have made the effort to meet and greet the press on a more informal basis and conduct interviews within the press centre. We were particularly charmed by the Lithuanians in the afternoon, bringing us badges, wristbands and cds and taking the time to come around and thank all of us for our support.
At the official joint EBU, Armenian TV and World Vision press conference taking place at the end of the afternoon, all parties appeared happy with how the event was progressing. The international press contingent was thanked and also assured that the Junior Eurovision brand was in safe hands, that it will continue for a long time to come and there are hopes for the event to grow to up to 16 participants when it takes place in The Netherlands in 2012.
On a more local scale, it is hard to miss that Yerevan is indeed the host city of the Junior Eurovision 2011. From the time you step off the plane, event signage has been prominent – from posters on many street corners, to a large scale video screen hanging over a boulevard close to Republic Square appears to playing a loop advertising the contest. Armenians we have encountered are all genuinely been excited and proud to have the event in their country, and we are certain that they will showcase the best of what they have to offer in terms of hospitality and culture.
The 2011 Junior Eurovision stage
If you were to compare the experience of hosting Junior Eurovision to the more senior competition, it is a smaller scale in terms of competitors, press and attendees, but not in terms of staging. The size of the stage and the television facilities are almost on par with the Eurovision itself – we still have the monitors, the sound stage, and the visual design all there.
For 2011, the television boxes behind the performers are a visual representation of Mt Ararat which towers over the city of Yerevan, which also happens to be the logo of this years contest. Now that we are in the second rehearsals we are finally seeing them put to best use – for instance, screening a heart for Russia, and flashing disco lights for Ukraine.
The overall stage design is a representation of the outside of the arena, although for any Australians watching this, like myself, you could claim the inspiration is from the Sydney Opera House. And I don’t believe that this will be the final nod to Australia that we will see either…
As it gets closer to the big day, more and more people are arriving to be part of the event. The commentators booths have been erected inside the arena, and judging by the decoration, the Dutch are seeming rather confident of their chances of a win. The carpets have been laid down to hide the multitude of cords and connections on the floor, and the seating is all set. When Saturday rolls around, there will be no small crowd in place to witness the event live. The 8,000+ expected locals in attendance shall most likely lift the roof of the already high peak Hamalir complex reaches when Dalita takes the stage with her colourful, catchy and proud tune Welcome to Armenia.
What remains in terms of a question mark is the ebb-and-flow of the whole show itself. Day three will see the second half of the competitors rehearse for a second time, but also the press conferences of Sirusho and the as-yet-to-be-revealed ‘international’ guest to perform during the interval of Junior 2011. As per the staging for the participants, expectations run high and rumours are circulating about the possibility of Eric Saade or Jedward being on Armenian ground shortly.
To stay tuned for the breaking news of the special international guest, and see interviews and read full review of all the rehearsals in depth and the latest news from JESC as it happens, don’t forget to check out our friends at escXtra.
We’d also like to take the time to thank BMI for their support of ESC Insight and the associated sites and content with flights to Yerevan. Thanks to them we can bring you the biggest Junior Eurovision coverage we’ve ever undertaken!