Der Club - Anzeige minimal (145)
Die ECG-Jubiläumsfeier in Hamburg
Hamburg feiert den ECG
Mit einer Bootstour, Geburtstagstorten und zwei Partynächten im Nochtspeicher feierte am 22. und 23. August in Hamburg der Eurovision Club Germany sein 25-jähriges Bestehen. Bei der Hafenrundfahrt am Vorabend tanzten sich viele ESC-Fans zur Musik von DJ Ox’n-ryd in Stimmung, um anschließend im Nochtspeicher weiter zu feiern. Hier sorgten DJ Douze Points und DJ JP für die passende Musik.
Die Gala am Samstagabend wurde eröffnet vom Hamburger Organisationsteam um Anja und Robert mit einem Medley aktueller ESC-Songs.
Bara bada bastu 
Milkshake Man
Espresso Macchiato 
25 Jahre Eurovision Club Germany - da gab es vieles, an das man sich anhand kurzer Videoausschnitte mit Highlights der vielen Clubtreffen zurückerinnern konnte. An viele Stargäste der langen Clubtreffengeschichte erinnerte ein Medley, das Verena, Florian, Jonatan, Benni, Mirko und Michael zu den entsprechenden Videoauschnitten live sangen.
Es wurde auch emotional, als der langjährige Präsident Michael Sonneck mit einer Laudatio durch Anja Kühl geehrt wurde. Dieser verabschiedete sich mit einem Dank für die langjährige gute Zusammenarbeit von der Pressechefin des NDR, Iris Bents, und der letzten Head of Delegation Alexandra Wolfslast.
Alexandra Wolfslast (li.) und Iris Bents 
Maxima Love und Bernd Ochs
Zum Jubiläum gab es auch Glückwünsche, entweder per Videobotschaft (z. B. von Michel Schulte, OGAE Irland, OGAE Finnland) oder ganz persönlich auf der Bühne aus Dänemark, Belgien, Österreich und Tschechien.
Felix Häring (OGAE Czechia) 
Michael Behr (OGAE Germany)
Gleich vier Acts – ursprünglich waren drei angekündigt – sorgten auf der Geburtstagsgala für eine unvergessliche Shows. Charmant führten Bernd Ochs und Maxima Love durch den Abend. Maxima begeisterte zudem selbst mit Performances.
Den musikalischen Auftakt machte Lou, die Deutschland 2003 mit „Let’s Get Happy“ in Riga vertrat. Neben ESC-Titeln und anderen Hits brachte sie viele persönliche Anekdoten mit.
Lou und Michael Sonneck
ESC-Geschichte pur gab es auch mit Alexandros Panayi. Der Zypriote, 1995 mit „Sti fotia“ auf der ESC-Bühne, zeigte mit zahlreichen ESC-Hits wie „Euphoria“ und einer legendären „Fuego“-Performance seine ganze Fanliebe. Gemeinsam mit Überraschungsgast Philippos Constantinos (Ex-One-Sänger), der u. a. „Gimme“ präsentierte, standen die beiden für eine sommerliche Stimmung.
Fuego 
Philippos Constantinos
Später ließ Pasha Parfeni die ESC-Magie Moldaus aufleben. Mit Songs aus seiner Karriere – von „Lăutar“ über „Soarele și luna“ bis zu ESC-Klassikern – brachte er das Publikum zum Tanzen und lieferte einen perfekten Übergang zur Partynacht.
Ein rundum gelungenes Jubiläum zum 25. mit Gästen und Fans, die für den Eurovision Song Contest brennen und für die das ganze Jahr der ESC ein Thema ist.
Das Organisationsteam
Medley der Stargäste (v.l.n.r. oben: Florian, Verena, Michael - unten: Mirko, Jonatan, Benni
(Bericht: Sascha Gottschalk, Fotos: JP Boernig)
ECG-Mitgliedervoting 2025
An der Abstimmung konnten alle ECG-Mitglieder bis Freitag, 25.04.2025 teilnehmen und ihre persönlichen Top 10 (inklusive DE) des diesjährigen ESC-Jahrgangs mitteilen. 207 Mitglieder haben abgestimmt. Die Top10 (ohne DE) gingen in die Wertung für den internationalen OGAE Poll ein (siehe hier).
Hier das Endergebnis des ECG-Mitgliedervoting 2025:
| Platz / Land | Interpret*in/Titel | Punke |
|---|---|---|
 1. Schweden | KAJ Bara Bada Bastu | 1275 |
 2. Niederlande | Claude C'est La Vie | 837 |
 3. Österreich | JJ | 635 |
 4. Frankreich | Louane | 575 |
 5. Finnland | Erika Vikman ICH KOMME | 573 |
 6. Israel | Yuval Raphael New Day Will Rise | 565 |
 7. Luxemburg | Laura Thorn | 532 |
 8. Malta | Miriana Conte | 474 |
 9. Estland | Tommy Cash | 472 |
 10. Spanien | Melody | 469 |
 11. Deutschland | Abor & Tynna | 429 |
 12. Albanien | Shkodra Elektronike Zjerm | 387 |
 13. Norwegen | Kyle Alessandro Lighter | 360 |
 14. San Marino | Gabry Ponte | 352 |
 15. Australien | Go-Jo | 340 |
 16. Schweiz | Zoë Më | 327 |
 17. Italien | Lucio Corsi | 317 |
 18. Griechenland | 314 | |
 19. Tschechien | ADONXS | 302 |
 20. Belgien | Red Sebastian | 269 |
 21. Irland | EMMY Laika Party | 262 |
 22. Dänemark | Sissal | 204 |
 23. Island | VÆB | 204 |
 24. Ukraine | Ziferblat Bird of Pray | 190 |
 25. Aserbaidschan | Mamagama Run With U | 175 |
 26. Polen | Justyna Steczkowska | 174 |
 27. Serbien | Princ | 168 |
 28. Litauen | Katarsis Tavo Akys | 151 |
 29. Slowenien | Klemen How Much Time Do We Have Left | 129 |
 30. Ver. Königreich | Remember Monday What The Hell Just Happened? | 101 |
 31. Zypern | Theo Evan Shh | 93 |
 32. Lettland | Tautumeitas | 84 |
 33. Georgien | Mariam Shengelia Freedom | 61 |
 34. Montenegro | Nina Žižić Dobrodošl | 61 |
 35. Portugal | NAPA Deslocado | 60 |
 36. Kroatien | Marko Bošnjak Poison Cake | 53 |
 37. Armenien | PARG SURVIVOR | 33 |
t.o.m. - Inhaltsverzeichnisse 2025
t.o.m. 1/2025
Ausgabe 1/2025
- CHANGE
Vorwort - SO WIRD 2025
Satirischer Jahresausblick - ECG-NEWS
Protokoll der Mitgliederversammlung
Das Präsidium stellt sich vor
Verschiedenes - ESC 2025
Allgemeines
Nationale Vorbereitungen
Deutsche Vorentscheidung - WADDE HADDE DUDDE DA?
Die deutsche Vorentscheidung 2000 - CLUBTREFFEN 2024
- INTERVIEWS MIT DEN STARGÄSTEN
Sonja Lumme
Nebulossa
Sarah Bonnici
Mihai Traistariu - HET GROTE SONGFESTIVALFEEST
- GRAND PRIX DE LA FANCONIE
- GRAND PRIX SUR LE MAIN
JUNIOR EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2024 - MEMBERS' FAVOURITE 2024
- HIT `24/ OGAE SONG CONTEST 2024
- OGAE SECOND CHANCE CONTEST 2024
- SECOND CHANCE CONTEST RETRO 1967
t.o.m. 2/2025
Ausgabe 2/2025
- WE ARE THE WINNERS?
Vorwort - ESC 2025
- Allgemeines
- Deutsche Vorentscheidung
- Berichte über alle 37 Acts
- Tabellen aller Vorentscheidungen
- MACCLESFILED IN SAN MARINO
t.o.m. 3/2025 - erscheint im August 2025
Aufruf zur Teilnahme am FANvision Song Contest 2025
Another Summer Night erleben und den ECG gesanglich repräsentieren?
DAS GEHT BEIM FANVISION SONG CONTEST AUF MALTA!
Du kannst singen und wolltest schon immer mal bei einem Gesangswettbewerb auf der Bühne stehen? Dann vertritt den ECG beim FANvision Song Contest am 12. Juli 2025 im Rahmen des Eurovision Weekend auf Malta!
Nach dem Sieg von Martina Fenech mit "Rise Like a Phoenix" bei unserem Heimspiel in Hamburg im vergangenen Jahr zieht das Eurovision Weekend auf die Mittelmeerinsel Malta weiter. Dort wird OGAE Malta gemeinsam mit den Berliner ESC-Fans, die die beliebte Veranstaltung einst ins Leben riefen, das Event organisieren.
Für den FANvision Song Contest, den Sangeswettstreit mit den Teilnehmer*innen anderer OGAE-Fanclubs, suchen wir nun unseren Act für Malta! Jedes ECG-Mitglied kann sich nun als Einzelkünstler, Duo oder in der Gruppe bewerben - und sich für einen Abend wie ein ESC-Star fühlen. Aber nicht vergessen: Der Wettbewerb soll für Teilnehmer*innen und Besucher*innen in allererster Linie Spaß bringen - und lässt sich im Juli auf Malta auch mit einem unvergesslichen Urlaub kombinieren... Ohne offizielle Nominierung eines Clubs ist eine Teilnahme am FANvision nicht möglich.
Bei Interesse schickt bitte bis zum 23. März 2025 um 23:59 Uhr ein aussagekräftiges Video mit einer Kostprobe des live gesungenen ESC-Songs, den ihr gerne beim FANvision performen möchtet, an Benni unter . Sollten sich mehrere Bewerber*innen für dasselbe Lied entscheiden, gilt die Regel "first come, first serve". Der Songtitel darf jedoch nicht bereits bei einer der früheren FANvision-Wettbewerbe gesungen worden sein.
Der Act des ECG darf seinen Beitrag nicht nur beim FANvision-Wettbewerb präsentierten, sondern wird auch bei unserem nächsten Clubtreffen am 22. November 2025 vor etwa 300 Gästen im Kölner GLORIA live auf der Bühne stehen.
Sollte es mehrere Interessierte geben, werden wir unter allen Mitgliedern eine Online-Abstimmung organisieren, um unsere*n Vertreter*in zu küren.
Einladung zum Clubtreffen 2025
Das ECG-Highlight des Jahres kündigt sich an!
Es ist wieder so weit: Unser legendäres ECG-Clubtreffen steht an – der Tag,
an dem ESC-Herzen höherschlagen, Lieblingshits laut mitgesungen werden und sich
Gleichgesinnte aus ganz Europa im Zeichen der Musik vereinen.
(Programmbeginn 17.30 Uhr, Einlass voraussichtlich ab 16.00 Uhr)
Ob langjähriges Mitglied oder ESC-Neuling – unser Clubtreffen ist der perfekte Ort, um Freundschaften zu feiern, neue Leute kennenzulernen und die Eurovision-Liebe aufleben zu lassen.
Wir freuen uns riesig auf euch!
Euer ECG-Team
Und dies sind unsere Stargäste:
|
|
|
|
MODERATION
Unser charmanter Moderator ist ein echter ESC-Kenner - und hat mal mindestens genauso viele ESC-Leben wie eine Katze... Mit Humor, Herz und Expertise führt Bernd euch bereits zum siebten Mal durch den Abend.
ESC-DISCO
Tanzen bis der Floor glüht!!! Nach dem Showprogramm ist vor der Party! DJ Ohrmeister legt auf – und ihr feiert mit den besten ESC-Beats bis tief in die Nacht. Zumindest mal bis 3 Uhr...!
DEIN AUFTRITT, DEINE BÜHNE !
Du hast eine kreative ESC-Idee für die Bühne? Ob Gesang, Tanz, Comedy oder Quiz – melde dich bis 15. September 2025 bei Michael Sonneck und werde Teil des Showprogramms!
VERLOSUNG
Du willst zum ESC 2026 nach Österreich, sorgst dich aber um dein Ticket? Gewinne bei unserer Verlosung mit ein bisschen Glück ein Anrecht auf ein Ticketpaket für den 70. ESC im kommenden Jahr
(für den Fall, dass der Club Ticketpakete zur Verfügung gestellt bekommt)
und/oder eine Finanzspritze in Höhe von 500 Euro!
Um ein Ticketpaket in Anspruch zu nehmen, musst du Mitglied im ECG sein und die Cardskipper-App vom ECG haben.
EINTRITTSPREISE
ECG-Mitglieder und Mitglieder anderer OGAE-Clubs: 42,- Euro
Nicht-Mitglieder: 52,- Euro
(jeweils inklusive Gebühren)
plus 10,– Euro, falls Abendessen gewünscht ist.
Euer Nachweis der Clubmitgliedschaft erfolgt beim Einlass für das Clubtreffen via Cardskipper-App.
bzw. anderer Legitimation.
Wichtig: Eine Abendkasse ist nicht geplant!
ANMELDUNG
Sichere dir deinen Platz für unser Clubtreffen HIER.
Wir bitten, von Direktüberweisungen auf das Vereinskonto abzusehen und ausschließlich über diesen Link Tickets zu kaufen, da es sonst am Einlass zu unnötigen Verzögerungen kommen würde!
ABENDESSEN (nur mit Voranmeldung!)
Wähle zum Preis von 10,– Euro eines der folgenden drei Gerichte:
Gericht 1:
Putengeschnetzeltes mit Pilzen in Petersiliensauce, dazu Tomaten-Basmatireis
Gericht 2:
Szegediner Gulasch vom Schwein, mit Sauerkraut und Sauerrahm, dazu Butterkartoffeln
Gericht 3:
Vegane Falafelbällchen mit Hummus und Zitronenspalten, dazu Tomaten-Basmatireis
Alle, die online ein Abendessen gebucht haben, werden wir ca. vier Wochen vor dem Clubtreffen per E-Mail kontaktieren und nach ihrer Auswahl befragen.
Das ECG-Mitgliedervoting 2002
| Platz Land | Punkte | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Frankreich Sandrine François "Il faut du temps" | 235 |
| 2. | Spanien Rosa "Europe's Living a Celebration" | 177 |
| 3. | Schweden Afro-Dite "Never Let It Go" | 174 |
| 4. | Estland Sahlene "Runaway" | 159 |
| 5. | Ver. Königreich Jessica Garlick "Come Back" | 155 |
| 6. | Malta Ira Losco "7th Wonder" | 129 |
| 7. | Deutschland Corinna May "I Can't Live Without Music" | 122 |
| 8. | Zypern One "Gimme" | 120 |
| Lettland Marie N. "I Wanna" | 120 |
| 10. | Finnland Laura "Addicted To You" | 118 |
11. | Rumänien Monica Anghel & Marcel Pavel "Tell Me Why" | 107 |
| 12. | Schweiz Francine Jordi "Dans le jardin de mon âme" | 91 |
| 13. | Slowenien Sestre "Samo ljubezen" | 90 |
| 14. | Israel Sarit Haddad "Light a Candle" | 85 |
| 15. | Österreich Manuel Ortega "Say a word" | 82 |
16. | FYROM Karolina "Od nas zavisi" | 63 |
| 17. | Dänemark Malene "Tell Me Who You Are" | 59 |
| 18. | Litauen Aivaras "Happy You" | 47 |
19. | Türkei Buket Bengisu & Safir "Leylaklar soldu kalbinde" | 37 |
| 20. | Belgien Sergio & The Ladies "Sister" | 36 |
21. | Bosnien & Herzegowina Maja "Na jakustu za dvoje" | 30 |
| 22. | Kroatien Vesna Pisarović "Everything I Want" | 24 |
| 23. | Griechenland Michaelis Rakintzis "S.A.G.A.P.O." | 21 |
24. | Russland Prime Minister "Northern Girl" | 12 |
Das Clubtreffen 2024
Am Samstag, dem 23. November 2024, fand im Kölner Gloria-Theater unser diesjähriges Clubtreffen statt. Rund 300 Fans aus ganz Deutschland, aber auch aus etlichen anderen Ländern hatten sich wieder auf den Weg in die Domstadt gemacht, um beim mehrstündigen Bühnenprogramm und der traditionellen ESC-Disco zusammen den ESC zu feiern.
Wie in jedem Jahr ging es los mit der Eröffnung durch das ECG-Präsidium (Schatzmeister Chris fehlte krankheitsbedingt), das in diesem Jahr ein Discomedley auf die Bühne brachte, was mit dem gemeinsam choreografierten MeKaDo-Hit „Wir geben 'ne Party“ endete.
Eröffnung durch das Präsidium © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Moderator und Clubmitglied Bernd Ochs, der auch in diesem Jahr wieder gewohnt charmant und schlagfertig moderierte, leitete dann das Programm ein mit einer auf das Clubtreffen umgeschriebenen Version von „Dschinghis Khan“.
Bernd Ochs / © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Das Programm selbst besteht ja seit vielen Jahren aus den Auftritten der Stargäste aber auch aus Parodien und Acts von Fans für Fans, und so brachten Michael Sonneck, Lu Wenzel und Peter Bergener als Putzfrauen eine großartige Version von „Teresa & Maria“ auf die Bühne, bei der der Schreibtisch unseres Präsidenten von den beiden Putzkräften aufgeräumt wurde.
Peter und Lu © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Der Neue ESC-Kommentator wandte sich in einer wunderbaren Video-Grußbotschaft an alle Fans im Gloria, da er selbst verhindert war.
Der langjährige Präsident des Eurovision Club Switzerland, Ronny Glaser, gab einen Ausblick auf die Planungen der Stadt Basel für den ESC 2025.
Ronny und Bernd © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Ein interaktives Quiz, an dem über 160 Gäste online teilnahmen, sorgte mit originellen Fragen bis zum Schluss für Spannung.
© Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Und dann wurde es Zeit für den ersten Stargast. Schon beim ESC 2006 war Mihai Traistariu als besonders stimmgewaltig aufgefallen, und auch jetzt saß jede Note perfekt. Mit ESC-Hits wie „My Number One“, „Grande Amore“ und natürlich seinem eigenen „Tornerò“ sorgte der sympathische Rumäne für die ersten Standing Ovations im Saal. Und es sollten nicht die letzten bleiben.
Mihai Traistariu © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Seit einigen Jahren hat die emotionale Rückschau auf die im jeweiligen Jahr verstorbenen ESC-Künstler*innen ihren Platz im Programm. So auch dieses Mal, unterlegt vom ESC-Titel „L’amour s’en va“, das die verstorbene Françoise Hardy 1963 für Monaco sang.
Ebenso eine liebgewonnene Tradition ist das gemeinsame Singen, dieses Mal fiel die Wahl auf „Junger Tag“ von Gitte aus dem Jahr 1973. Da kam bei nicht wenigen Fans eine gewisse Wehmut auf. Was hatten wir doch für großartige Beiträge in früheren Zeiten gehabt.
Einmal mehr waren es Lu und Peter, die als Konstrakta aus Serbien eine wunderbare Parodie auf ihren diesjährigen Vorentscheidungstitel „Novo, bolje“ auf die Bühne brachten.
Peter und Lu © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Den zweiten Teil des Abends eröffnete ein mit viel Liebe zum Detail zusammengestellter Rückblick von Michi Behr auf das Eurovision Weekend in Hamburg. Spätestens da war allen klar, was diejenigen verpasst hatten, die im Juli nicht in der Hansestadt dabei gewesen waren. Unsere wunderbaren Vertreter „Call me Survior“ alias Verena und Florian brachten nochmal ihren Wettbewerbstitel „We Will Rave“ dar und wurden wie beim Weekend von den Fans bejubelt.
Call Me Survivor © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Sonja Lumme, die 1985 in Göteborg für Finnland das schmissige „Eläköön elämä“ schmetterte, ahnte damals sicherlich nicht, dass sie damit einen absoluten Fan-Favoriten und ESC-Klassiker für die Ewigkeit erschaffen würde. Dieser durfte natürlich bei ihrem Auftritt bei uns in Köln nicht fehlen. Aber auch ihre Coverversionen von Tina Turners „Simply the Best“ oder der finnischen Beiträge von 1983 von Ami Aspelund, „Fantasiaa“ und 1987 von Vicky Rosti, „Sata salamaa“ sorgten für große Begeisterung, ebenso wie "Främling". Sonja fand auch mit ihren kleinen Anekdoten zwischen den Liedern den Weg in die Herzen der ESC-Fans und sorgte nicht nur mit ihrer Bemerkung über die immer nur Golf-spielende Kollegin Vicky Rosti für so manchen Schmunzler im Publikum. Die Tatsache, dass sie extra einen Pianisten (Dan Antone) mitgebracht hatte, der ihre Titel live begleitete, gab uns ein sehr besonderes Hörerlebnis, und so wurde auch sie mit frenetischem Jubel und stehenden Ovationen verabschiedet.
Sonja Lumme © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Sonja Lumme © Berenike Haase / ECG e.V.
Ein weiteres Highlight, auf das sich jedes Jahr sehr viele Fans besonders freuen, ist das traditionelle Musical. Wie immer hatten Lu, Peter und Michael viel Arbeit in das Projekt gesteckt und erzählten in diesem Jahr angelehnt an den polnischen Beitrag von Luna, „The Tower“, das Märchen von Rapunzel, wobei die drei es schafften, unfassbare 27 Lieder des diesjährigen ESC-Jahrgangs in die Geschichte einzubauen. Es gab wirklich jede Menge großartige Szenen. Nicht nur vom Präsidenten im String-Tanga wird wohl noch in vielen Jahren gesprochen werden. Das war absolut klasse!
Michael als Joost Klein und Lu als Rapunzel © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Peter als Bambie Thug © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Michael als Windows95man © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Und es ging großartig weiter. Sarah Bonnici aus Malta sang ausschließlich ESC-Hits wie z. B. „Arcade“, „Snap“, „Spaceman“ und „Satellite“ und sorgte damit natürlich bei den Eurovisionsfans für Riesenjubel und die nächsten Standing Ovations.
Sarah Bonnici © Berenike Haase / ECG e.V.
Und noch ein weiteres Video kam gut an. Ulla, Denis, Manu, Florian, Rick und Benni hatten einige Tage Urlaub zusammen verbracht und dabei ein Video in Verona gedreht, wo sie auf die Suche nach dem Einhorn Patricia, das „lost“ und später auch „found“ in Verona war. Eine klasse Idee!
Der Abend war bis dahin wie im Fluge vergangen, aber es war Zeit für ein weiteres absolutes Highlight, den mit Spannung erwarteten Auftritt des Duos Nebulossa aus Spanien. Mery und Mark hatten ihre komplette Truppe vom ESC aus Malmö mit auf die Bühne ins Gloria gebracht, und so heizten neben den beiden auch noch eine Drummerin und zwei Tänzer den Gästen ein. Sie boten ein wahres Feuerwerk an teilweise eigenen, teilweise aber auch bekannten spanischen Songs wie z. b. „La revolución sexual“ aus der spanischen Vorentscheidung 2007. Bei „Zorra“ sang wirklich jede und jeder im Saal mit. Wahnsinn! Nochmal großer Jubel und Standing Ovations für diesen Auftritt, den wir so in dieser Form auch noch nie gehabt hatten. Das war einfach nur geil!
Nebulossa © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
© Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
© Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Geil war auch unser ungewohnt gutes Abschneiden in Malmö, und so verabschiedeten sich alle Beteiligten am Schluss mit „Always on the Run“ von Isaak beim großen Finale.
Finale © Berenike Haase / ECG e. V.
Aber natürlich war damit noch nicht Feierabend. Auch ein großer Höhepunkt des Clubtreffens ist in jedem Jahr die Disco mit DJ Ohrmeister. Auch in diesem Jahr war und blieb die Tanzfläche bis drei Uhr morgens voll, wo dann auch schon traditionell zum Abschluss ein großer Kreis gebildet wurde und alle zusammen in diesem Jahr „Io senza te“ sangen, einen der vielen tollen Beiträge aus der Schweiz, wo sich dann sicherlich viele der Gäste im nächsten Jahr wiedersehen werden. Und natürlich am 22. November 2025 wieder im Gloria.
Es war wiederum ein absolut tolles Fest! DANKE!
(Bericht: Erwin Wiesen)
Eurovision Weekend 2025
Das Eurovision Weekend 2025 fand vom 11. bis 13. Juli 2025 in Malta statt.
Jonatan (links) mit dem Sieger David Schuler
Benni (Head of Delegation ECG e. V.) und Jonatan (rechts)
FANvision 2024 - EC Germany
Meet the representatives of Eurovision Club Germany
| NAME | Call Me Survivor (Verena Teuber, Florian Sawatzki) |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | EUROVISION CLUB GERMANY |
| SONG | We Will Rave (ESC 2024) |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
Why did you choose this song, what does it mean to you?
Verena: We chose "We will rave" as we both love this song and we are big fans of the typical 90s songs.
Florian: We really wanted to sing a current song that was still fresh with the fans.
What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
Verena: I remember I received a WhatsApp message from a Eurovision friend saying "congratulations". That moment I realized that we must have been selected and I was so happy about it. EC Germany had a preselection with strong competitors, so being selected as the representative of the EC Germany is a big honour. Thanks again to everyone who voted for us.
Florian: I had just gone for a walk with a friend and then had to excuse myself for ten minutes to read the details and answer the first congratulations. We then spontaneously toasted with a glass of sparkling wine.
Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
Verena: Of course it will be very exciting to perform in Hamburg and to meet the other contestants. I have been to Hamburg once before - in March 2015 with awful weather. So dry weather or even sunshine would be nice... and of course having fun on stage ;-)
Florian: I've been in Hamburg several times a year for 20 years. My best friend lives there with her family, as do a few other friends. The city has become like a second home to me.
What are your personal interests?
Verena: I like to spend my freetime at the gym, travel or doing long walks in the nature.
Florian: I like going to concerts and travelling a lot. For example, I wrote the text for our song in a tree house in Costa Rica when it was raining. I go to yoga or swimming to relax.
What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us?
Verena: My first memory about the Eurovision Song Contest is the Yugoslavian entry 1987. My sister watched the contest and I was thrilled by the performance of the band Novi Fosili (please don't ask me why). In 1989 I watched the whole contest for the first time live in front of the TV. Since then I have been an enthusiastic fan with my personal highlight being accreditated at the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf 2011.
Florian: My first memory was of the 1997 ESC, which I watched by chance. I was already eleven years old at the time. As a child, the contest didn't play a role in my life, I only watched VIVA. But then the fever took hold of me more and more every year. I have also been on site eight times since 2015, most recently in Malmö.
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
Verena: As a part of Call Me Survivor I have been on stage twice before (2016 & 2017). We also had a performance at the EC Germany Club convention in November last year. Beside this I performed at an event called "EuRUBvision" at the Ruhr University Bochum in front of an audience of 200 people.
Florian: I've already sung several times in the ESC context, including at Fanvision. Most recently in Stuttgart in 2021. I'm also always up for a karaoke evening.
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision Fan?
Verena: I work for a tourism company in the quality department (see also "personal interests")
Florian: I work in marketing for a health insurance company.
What’s your favorite Eurovision song of all time?
Verena: Cyprus 1995 - Sti fotia by Alexandros Panayi
Florian: The song that turned me from a spectator into a fan: Cyprus 1999 – Tha’ne Erotas.
Meet the Head of Delegation of Eurovison Club Germany
| NAME | Benjamin Tonn |
|---|---|
| CLUB | EUROVISION CLUB GERMANY |
| FUNCTION IN THE CLUB | Vice President |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
 | |
How did your club find your representative?
We asked all our members: Would you like to sing for the ECG in Hamburg? Five acts then came forward and had to submit a live music video to our members' vote. Call Me Survivor received the clear majority of votes.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
As a host club, Call Me Survivor can be sure of the loud support of many of our members in Hamburg. Our members will also celebrate the singers from the other clubs, I have no doubt about that.
What do you wish for your contestant?
I wish Call Me Survivor that they can enjoy the weekend to the fullest and make many new friends with talented singers from all over Europe. I am sure that our entry will make the visitors rave and that Verena and Florian will remember the three minutes on stage in Hamburg forever.
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
We are something like the cradle of the Eurovision Weekend. Even though the event now takes place across Europe, the event somehow always comes back to us. ;) As the largest of the two German clubs in terms of membership, we maybe exude less nostalgia for the ESC years long past, but we might be a little more modern and no less familiar. Our annual club meeting in November with some national and international star guests and funny parodies of ESC songs in Cologne should be part of every ESC fan's calendar.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
At some point I got tired of listening to many ESC songs. With "Together" by Ryan O'Shaughnessy, the Irish entry from 2018, it was love at first note - and the performance in Lisbon thrilled me even more. To this day I just can't get enough of this song.
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
I want to be touched emotionally in some way by the FANvision participant and captured by his or her performance. He or she has to create a key moment for me to get me on his or her side. It just has to click. This can be through an outstanding vocal performance or through great entertainment value.
FANvision 2024 - OGAE Malta
Meet the representative of OGAE MALTA
| NAME | Martina Fenech |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | OGAE Malta |
| SONG | Rise Like a Phoenix (ESC 2014) |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
Why did you choose this song, what does it mean to you?
My team and I have discussed a lot of different song options, however the song that worked the most was "Rise Like a Phoenix". I chose this song since it carries a strong message about courage and overcoming difficulties in life . It symbolizes, to me, the idea of rising stronger from life's difficulties. Both the lyrics and the tune of the song reminds me that challenges are not the end but rather a necessary part of life, which encourages us to turn our hardships into strength and hope.
What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
I was thrilled and truly honored. It means a lot to me and I would like to thank the members of the Maltese OGAE Fanclub for believing in me and showing such strong support. It’s a great chance to connect with more people and share this journey with those who have been with me from the start.
Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
Yes, I'm very excited to come to Hamburg for the FANvision Festival ! It's a great chance to meet other artists and experience Hamburg's energy and be part of such an amazing event.
What are your personal interests?
As a singer, my personal interests revolve around music. I love exploring different styles of music and connecting with audiences through my performances in different events. Apart from singing I also enjoy traveling, I like exploring new cuisines, learning about other cultures, and discovering unique places.
What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us?
My personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest is rooted in its celebration of diversity and music from different countries around Europe. One of my earliest Eurovision memories is watching performances as a kid together with my family and feeling the excitement of seeing artists from different countries come together on one stage and see what they have to offer for that particular year. The Eurovision Song Contest continues to inspire me with its creativity year after year, and the way it brings together fans from all over to celebrate music and artistry.
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
I've had a variety of experiences in my music journey, from playing in smaller venues to performing in front of different crowds and also on TV. FANvision is indeed one of the audiences I will have the privilege to perform for, and it's incredibly exciting for me. My goals for the future include developing as a musician by creating new music and reaching a wider audience. I aspire to work with different musicians, experiment with different musical genres, and eventually release my music to a larger audience. In this journey, FANvision is a big step forward, and I can't wait to see where it leads.
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision Fan?
Apart from being a Eurovision fan, I enjoy following and singing whenever I have the opportunity at local festivals that celebrate cultural diversity and showcase Maltese music. These events allow me to perform in my native language which is Maltese and connect with my community.
Meet the Head of Delegation of Malta
| NAME | Claudio Xerri |
|---|---|
| CLUB | OGAE Malta |
| FUNCTION IN THE CLUB | President |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
 | |
How did your club find your representative?
OGAE through its social media portal has issued a call of interest for singers to participate in the Fanvision to be held in Germany. Singers were asked to send a video performing a Eurovision song within a stipulated deadline.
OGAE Malta then sent an email to each member within the club with a link to the respective videos.(Three singers were in the competition to win the title). Members were given one week to cast their vote and were invited to vote 8 points the least favourite, 10 points 2nd best and 12 points Member’s favourite.
Martina won this competition and therefore the right to represent Malta in Fanvision.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
I am aware that most of our members follow this contest through social media. I am not aware that any member of OGAE Malta will actually attend this year's event in Germany.
What do you wish for your contestant?
I have no doubt that Martina with her amazing talent will deliver a beautiful performance on the night of the song "Rise like a Phoenix".
I would like her to enjoy this experience, and make the most of it. She will definitely feel the love and friendship of the big Eurovision family who will be present for Fanvision. I am sure that Martina with her talent and charisma will one day have the opportunity to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
As always this year there is a tough competition and the song choices by the singers are very good. I am sure that Martina will also do well in this contest. Although OGAE Malta is a small club we managed to win this contest twice. Maybe who knows we win it for the third time with our Martina.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
A very tough question to answer. There are many songs which I like but my favourite song is definitely Angel by our Maltese singer Chiara. It is a beautiful song and every time I listen to this song it gives me goosebumps.
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
Definitely the interpretation of the song chosen and how the singer will stage the performance. I had the opportunity to attend Fanvision and the organisation is a mini version of the Eurovision, with fans showing their flags, good presenters for the show and most important Eurovision fans enjoying themselves listening to past Eurovision entries who although they did not manage to win the title they are still favourites amongst Eurovision fans and Eurovision parties.
weiter...
FANvision 2024 - OGAE Italy
Meet the representative of OGAE ITALY
| NAME | Jessica Lipari |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | OGAE Poland |
| SONG | Tattoo (ESC 2023), Italian version by Fabrizio Massi |
| SOCIAL MEDIA | 
|
| < | |
Why did you choose this song, what does it mean to you?
I have always admired Loreen so much. Her songs always convey very strong emotions to me. Also, thanks to Fabrizio, I was able to make this version more 'my own' by singing it in my mother tongue.
What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
It was a great surprise, before our last meeting I did not know there was this opportunity, I will always be grateful and enjoy every moment of this incredible experience.
Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
I have never been to Hamburg, but I am very happy to have this opportunity and I can't wait to see this beautiful city! I would love to try the local food because I love to eat and try new things.
What are your personal interests?
I have been studying theatre for five years, and I was introduced to this art thanks to an audition I did many years ago for a musical you all know, 'Romeo and Juliet'. They cast me and I played the Prince of Verona.
What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us?
Of course, I have been singing since I was a child, everyone in my family (I have three sisters) is in touch with music and each of us has a different voice. When I was younger, I joined a choir, and my teacher decided to assign me a song to sing as a soloist and guess what song she chose? "Euphoria", I said it all. So, this is my first memory with Eurovision. The magnificent Loreen. After this discovery I did my research and at that moment it was the beginning of the end.
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
I have had the fortune to sing on various stages, won a few regional competitions and represented Switzerland at the 'Tour Music Fest'. I also have a group with which I enjoy entertaining people at parties. I don't know what the future holds for me, I was taught to keep my feet on the ground, so if my time comes, I will welcome it.
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision Fan?
I studied economics and currently work in a commodity trading company.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
This question is too difficult! Surely one song I will never tire of hearing is 'La Forza' by Elina Nechayeva.
Meet the Head of Delegation of Italy
| NAME | Fabrizio Massi |
|---|---|
| CLUB | OGAE Italy |
| FUNCTION IN THE CLUB | Member |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
#ogaeitaly |
 | |
How did your club find your representative?
We chose Jessica Lipari through an internal selection.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
We’ll try to involve as many people as possible.
What do you wish for your contestant?
Jessica is having her first experience at Fanvision but she has had many experiences before, on various stages of excellent standard, so I’m sure she’ll perform very well and people will appreciate her. I have one more reason to trust her, because I’ll present my lyrics through her voice.
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
We are a tightly-knit group that convenes twice a year. The first meeting, held in spring, primarily focuses on voting for songs, while the second, in autumn, always features a Eurovision singer as a guest. Our group continues to grow in membership, and each gathering provides an opportunity to reunite with old friends, make new ones, and immerse ourselves in the Eurovision atmosphere marked by friendship, inclusivity, and enjoyment. We will certainly be pleased to host the FanVision in Italy next year in case of victory, likely at a seaside location.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
There are many songs, my first choice is “Nel blu dipinto di blu” by Domenico Modugno of 1958, a planetary hit. In the latest editions I appreciated “Rise Like A Phoenix”, “La Forza” (Estonia 2018), “Zero Gravity” (Australia 2019), “Voila” (France 2021) and obiouvsly “Tattoo”.
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
First and foremost, I appreciate the skill of the singers in relation to the difficulty of the song performed. When singers manage to fully harness their potential, while also acknowledging their limitations, they have the foundation to gracefully leave the stage amidst applause. I envision a performance as a painting, with the staging serving as the frame and the singer’s voice as the heart of this painting. Then a beautiful painting is showcased at its best within a beautiful frame.
FANvision 2024 - OGAE Poland
Meet the representative of OGAE POLAND
| NAME | Dolce Pindy (Konrad Szczęsny, Rafał Zuchewicz, Jakub Kasprzyk, Maciej Sychowiec) |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | OGAE Poland |
| SONG | Cha Cha Cha (ESC 2023) |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |  |
| < | |
Why did you choose this song, what does it mean to you?
We decided to perform “Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä as it allows us to deliver crazy energy and provides different avenues for creative brainstorming. The duality of the song, e.i. on the one hand, shows an aggressive and impulsive side of human nature, and a funny and relaxed one, on the other. It is something that many people have struggled with nowadays. While being insane, “Cha Cha Cha” has a very current message and thus we want to provide it to the audience.
What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
It is an honor to perform on behalf of OGAE Poland in Fanvision especially since our performance won the annual song contest (so-called “Karaoke Contest”) during our convention meeting. In OGAE Poland, people often laugh that this contest is for many people more important than Eurovision itself.
Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
We haven’t been to Hamburg but we are quite excited. As a city with a maritime setting, we are excited to see its sea-related heritage but also modern and brick-based architecture.
What are your personal interests?
As a group, we vary a lot. Our interests spread from politics and vegan cuisine to traveling. In our free time, we tend to dwell on why we lost in Eurovision betting odds. In addition, some of us are chronically addicted to all-inclusive holidays.
What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us?
Among Polish fans, we are a generation that is associated with starting following Eurovision around 2003 when Ich Troje (at that point, it was a huge band in Poland) competed in Eurovision. However, we have some memories that reach even the 1990s. Some of our parents recorded Carola’s victory in 1991, and some of us fell asleep before the results in Istambul. Is FANvision the bi
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
Yes, FANvision is the most international stage so far. Some of us have some musical background such as singing in a choir but we rather consider it to be pure fun
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision Fan?
We do very different things. Dolce Pindy consists of a journalist, psychiatrist, university researcher, and an associate at the international corporation. Beyond that, our passion is to find time to relax and to take life easy. We know all about “personal energy-saving”. It is everything that you need to make a successful performance of “Cha Cha Cha”
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
That’s a million-dollar question! It is very difficult to select just one song. We have some highlights over all these years. Regardless of what we will present at FANvision, we have a soft spot for Eurovision oldies such as Lys Assia’s “Giorgio” (Switzerland 1958) or "Heut' Woll'n Wir Tanzen Geh'n" by Alice and Ellen Kessler (Germany 1959).
Meet the Head of Delegation of Denmark
| NAME | Tomasz Lener |
|---|---|
| CLUB | OGAE Poland |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
 | |
How did your club find your representative?
We have been organizing the OGAE POLSKA convention for 20 years. We also organize a karaoke competition every year. The winner of the 2023 competition is a representative in FANvision2024.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
Everyone keeps their fingers crossed for our team's performance.
What do you wish for your contestant?
Let it be a nice adventure and, above all, fun. Of course, I wish them victory :)
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
The most important thing is to be yourself and have fun with this eventand share joy. Trophies are not the most important thing. Of course, everyone wants to win, but there will only be one winner. May the best one win.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
There are many of these favorite songs. If I have to choose one, it's "Tattoo" by Loreen, the second is "Hold me closer" by Cornelia Jacobs. What do you appreciate in particular in a perfor
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
For me, the most important thing is presentation, emotions, sometimes talent and the fact that the performer and the audience have fun.
FANvision 2024 - OGAE Denmark
Meet the representative of OGAE DENMARK
| NAME | Maria Luisa |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | OGAE Denmark |
| SONG | Främling (ESC 1983) |
| SOCIAL MEDIA | |
Why did you choose this song, what does it mean to you?
I will be singing ”Främling” in the FANvision contest, because I simply adore Carola Häggkvist. I love that she is SUCH a D I V A, and that her facelifts are as enormous as her wind machines. I love all the songs she has participated with: ”Fängad av en stormvind” from 1991, and ”invincible” from 2006, but ”Främling” from 1983 is just my favourite Eurovision song EVER. Carola is a great singer, and it is kind of nerve wracking singing one of her songs
What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
When I got the news that I would be representing Denmark, I felt disbelief, and started laughing. I called my ten year old daughter, told her, and she replied:” Not, YOU, Mum?” A bit embarrassed I guess.
Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
I am SO excited to visit Hamburg again. I have been in Hamburg twice before, and I love the energy of the city. I am very impressed about how dog-friendly the city is. You see dogs in almost every restaurant, which is not common in my country. I am a dog-person, so I just love that about Hamburg.
What are your personal interests?
I am very much into animal rights. I especially love dogs. I have been a volunteer at dog shelters in Greece, and cat shelters in Denmark. My motto is ”Adopt, don’t shop”.
What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us?
From a very early age I watched the Eurovision Song Contest with my mum, and I remember that I always fell asleep before the results. I used to sing all the songs from the Danish contests at the playground, and I remember, that I had a huge crush on Louis from Herreys.
Is FANvision the biggest stage/ audience so far for you, what are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
When I was younger I used to be in Musicals, and I have also been a member of a girlband.
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision Fan?
My plans for the future involve adopting a stray dog, parenting him and my daughter, spending time with friends and family and working at the office. I don’t have much time for singing, unfortunately, since I am a hard working mum.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
My favourite Eurovision song of all time is ”Främling” from 1983, and runner up is ”Diggi-loo diggi-ley” from 1984
Meet the Head of Delegation of Denmark
| NAME | Christian Tyskov |
|---|---|
| CLUB | OGAE Denmark |
| FUNCTION IN THE CLUB | Member |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
|
 | |
How did your club find your representative?
Our OGAE club did choose the winner from acts sent in.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
I hope many will exploit the nearby location, just to the south of Denmark to sent support to Maria.
What do you wish for your contestant?
That she will have a good time, she will never forget, and that she again will shine with the song, that I btw. think is one of the best Swedish entries in Eurovision.
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
We are very social, and are welcomning everybody. That's why we are a mixture of different people, in all ages and preferences, joining the Eurovision / Melodi Grand Grand Prix feeling in club events and of course at the official Grand Prix / Eurovision events - since 1989.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
That is always the tricky question. Among the "oldies" I have for many years favoured Poupée de Cire, Poupée de son (1965) and L'amour est bleu (1967). But more recently I also favor the three different songs from Cyprus 2016, Iceland 2019 and France 2024, that all touch me, when I'm listen to them.
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
I want to get emotional touched. I want to see a special performance by a beautiful song. I want to be engaged into the act, and I want to see a participant that show, that the act do mean a lot for the participant.
FANvision 2024 - OGAE Israel
Meet the representative of OGAE ISRAEL
| NAME | Arel |
|---|---|
| FAN CLUB | OGAE ISRAEL |
| SONG | Shake it up shekerim (ESC 2007) |
1. Why did you choose this song, and what does it mean to you?
I chose to sing a song called "Shake it up sikidim" represented by Turkey in the past (singer Kenan Dogulu (the star! )). A rhythmic and uplifting song, which, as someone who follows the Eurovision Song Contest every year, I noticed that usually can captivate the audience. People love beautiful music like the song I chose and it is always important for me to choose an interesting repertoire, regardless of the country of the song, when I put more emphasis on looking for a melody that will "change consciousness" and be unforgettable, that you will remember for the long term. Maybe I feel like studious in the answers and giving them full and interesting, but I also see it as something important, also as a message to the other participants and those who will read it once and it will help them in choosing a song, and more.. And I also have a little tip from me: I think it's important to choose a song that will suit you personally as well, and that the playback you sing with will match the height of the scale you reach in the vocals. It's important that you connect with style. In my case, it's an Eastern-Turkish style song that's catchy, so I'm sure that such a song can remain in people's hearts for many years to come. I got to hear it played at Eurovision parties in Israel too (and we have great parties here! :-) ). I wish that all the songs of the Eurovision Song Contest were at least on the level of this song, because many times, unfortunately and in recent decades, songs come to Eurovision that are a bit disappointing actually, and sometimes they even win, ones that people just don't remember after. I think it's important here to maintain a reputation, because it's the most watched show in the world and usually the most beautiful songs, with the competition for victory sometimes reaching a "brutal" level. Besides, the Turkish singer Kenan Dogulu of the song I chose, who to this day is perhaps one of the most prominent stars in Turkey, has a lot of winning songs in his country, which conquer me no less as well, and when I visited Turkey myself in recent years (literally several times), I even got "to shazame" his music there, when I was on vacation in Antalya (and usually I don't "shazame" for no reason). I saw some of his repertoire (which has become national) performed there every evening in the live performances at the hotel, and I learn Kenan's songs myself, and even in Turkish, and I'm sure not for nothing. Apparently Kenan is no less of a big star in Turkey, such as the Turkish singer Tarkan we all know, and I assume that Kenan was not sent to Eurovision by chance! There is no doubt that Turkey must return to Eurovision at some point, and you know, maybe also to our
FANvision, only the small political problem this time is Turkey's political stance towards Israel, so much so that it may not be possible to hold Eurovision in Turkey until the situation changes for the better. And it's a country with music that a lot of countries can strive to reach its level in general. By the way, a lot of Turkish hits are translated into other languages. I must say that I just fell in love with Turkey itself as well. It is very close to Israel, only about half an hour of flight, and it also happened before it won Eurovision!
2. What did you feel when you were nominated by your Fanclub to represent at FANvision?
I also felt that it was a matter of responsibility to represent the club, but also that it was a lot of fun for me to get into this framework of flying to Europe and preparing for something I obviously love to do most in life, which is music. It brings me a lot of challenges, whether it's getting experience for the future or just a lot of fun along the way, and also preparing my performance for example, when there's a good enough reason to persevere in it, to give up a lot of other things in life for the sake of the goal and represent us in the end with respect, which I think is an inseparable part of the matter here and the goal of a participant and every club. I also feel that it's not only to perform for myself and compete, but also to feel the mission on behalf of the entire Israeli club that will only be proud of me and know who I am :-). And to tell you the truth, I was never afraid of publicity and always wanted to become the most famous and become a great artist, and once I dream of reaching Eurovision itself, despite all the bureaucratic obstacles that do not depend on you at all. Everything always starts with smaller things and it's a great opportunity for me to show every time what I'm capable of and also to see from the side who I am and how many new fans will be along the way, which is something that is so important to me personally. And I think that's how everyone else who participates with me feels the same way. Despite everything, I also believe in something personal and that it's also something that's just another personal step of mine that I do for myself and no one else, so I just disconnect from the commitment at some point and just come to enjoy this stunning weekend, which in itself is such a blessed initiative that someone invented for us. This is truly something that every participant will remember at the end throughout his life. It is very important to me that the matter of politics and the vote based on it simply disappear for good and they won't be personally connected to me either (even from Eurovision itself, which long ago simply became a political contest, with the neighboring countries giving votes every year to their neighboring country and seeing this, when the judges even admit after voting against Israel unfortunately and considering what is going on in this world unfortunately...). After all, I'm not connected to any of this either, and I didn't choose the country in which I live. I always wanted the rules of the game will be changed in Eorovision for the better! I strongly believe in transparency, fairness and honesty. And even myself I would vote only that way, otherwise it loses its taste. And yes, I feel some pride, without even letting me understand why, and that's definitely something very exciting for me. It's great fun to meet and hear people from other countries at the same time and in a really personal way. It's just crazy . And this is something that is also known in the ESC competition itself, whose purpose was to unite countries by music, after World War II. So on behalf of myself and the entire Israeli club, good luck to everyone!
3. Are you excited about coming to Hamburg?
It feels like I'm coming to "conquer" another unknown destination that is just waiting for me somewhere... Of course, I am very excited to come to the amazing, beautiful and large city of Hamburg, which I also heard about from friends who visited it and I saw it only in pictures. Perhaps the most exciting thing is that I come there for the first time, as an Israeli from Israel, which is a bit far from Europe. Because of the geopolitical situation, it is possible to come from Israel to the world mainly by flight, even though I am already flying to Germany for the third time in my life, when my first and most memorable visit here was, of course, when the Eurovision Song Contest was held in the city of Dusseldorf. Of course, I've visited Berlin and other places in Germany already and I can honestly say that this is a country that has a lot to offer and it just succeeded to impress me quite favorably in the past, so it's a very intriguing and impressive destination. I didn't just think about the option of coming here on the last celebration of New Year's Eve and opening 2024 here, of all places, and in the snow that is sometimes a little lacking in Israel. I think I'll have to travel a lot around Hamburg and come see the nearby northern beaches, so the location of the city is quite interesting. And this is also the opportunity for me to travel again in Berlin, the capital, and fill in the gaps and visit all the places I just didn't get to see before.
I wish myself to discover as much as possible the city and what it has to offer, whether it's eating in its restaurants and spontaneously bumping into its people, etc.. In other words, I want to feel the vibe of the city that week. And of course along the way I hope to succeed in the competition and do it with respect.
4. What are your personal interests?
I love the sea and nature (which is not lacking in Israel). I like to travel and do about 20 trips in Israel every year (which is part of the sport I like to do too...), and sometimes I also travel abroad. I'm a big fan of the Eurovision Song Contest, so I sometimes pass the time in Tel Aviv at Eurovision(and not only) parties, which are held here weekly. Besides, music is an inseparable part of my life, so it's not just my hobby. And in my free time I write texts and compose original songs that I also perform, play musical instruments, perform, play, surf social networks (which gives me some inspiration for life), keep up to date with very very specific news, and it helps me stay up to date. I'm not a technophobe at all, so I'm a big fan of apps, which allows me to go ahead of technology in life (and not the other way around :-) ). And I go to various large shows and exhibits and exhibitions that come to Israel from overseas (or that exist in Israel), and more... Not afraid of challenges and never tired of learning new things in order to expand horizons. Total modern life, with which I just always walk on one foot. And it's worth it!
5. What is your personal connection to the Eurovision Song Contest? Maybe you want to share your first Eurovision memory with us
From a young age I started watching Eurovision when I heard about it from my friends from school and since then it has become a tradition for me, and also in my family. As a singer myself, I became attached to it quite quickly and strongly and loved it (especially the dimensions of the competition). Since then, it has simply become a dream to participate in Eurovision myself and a desire to always be part of it and the Eurovision community, which is quite big here in Israel, and in the world. From there I met quite a few friends I've known for years, and it feels like family (even if it's abroad): whether it's large joint screenings of Eurovision in Israel that are always organized for us, to travel to Kdam Eurovision(Pre-Eurovision/national israeli pre-selections for ESC itself) together every year to Jerusalem, or whether it's to travel with friends to a country that hosts Eurovision and feel part of the delegation..., or if it's hosting Eurovision in Israel, like it happened in 2019. Besides, I sing a lot of the competition songs myself, perform with it sometimes, and we have karaoke competition nights almost every year, where you can show it to others. I suppose there is this in other countries as well, but here the whole thing is quite developed. Just feeling great love and connection to everything that related to ESC and it has become over time a part of my life.
My first powerful memory of the contest is the flight itself to the Eurovision Song Contest held in Germany in the city of Düsseldorf more than a decade ago. I can't just forget it at all. That's also how I got to come to Germany for the first time in my life! ♡
6. Is FANvision the biggest stage/audience so far for you? What are your musical experiences, and what are your plans for the future?
No, FANvision isn't the biggest stage I've ever performed, to my delight. I've been performing since I was young and have experienced much bigger stages that I've sung or played on. I also performed quite a bit in the various schools I attended, and they were schools with a musical direction. I won and participated quite a few in various competitions, such as the annual competition for school talents, and there was always also the personal recital at the end of each year, which the student had to perform as a must. There were also all sorts of singing competitions on the way (and not only in Israel) that I also got to win an audience award in an international singing competition when I was sent by my school abroad alone as a teenager (hard to imagine) (but fully funded). And also open stages, TV shows, etc. I was also part of the representative vocal troupe of the city of Tel Aviv (which is the cultural capital of Israel), with them we performed on the biggest stages, such as Rabin Square in Tel Aviv (hundreds of thousands of people audience), I performed at various festivals. And my plans for the future are never to stop and continue what I do best and love, and I believe that I must dream of conquering the much bigger stages as much as possible..., also the Eurovision stage itself, etc. I want to create and sing new and original music all the time, learn new things, develop in music, and become the most successful artist ever and no less, which is my dream. Although I am aware of how difficult it may be. Perhaps the most important thing here is also to really conquer the audience and do it with love, and not just for the sake of personal success and self-promotion alone, which is something that I just don't think adds to any artist, that there is also something a little annoying about it always.
As a whole, the field of performing arts has always seemed to me the most competitive and perhaps the most annoying, as I mentioned before, and I think you can find in it that "someone" you want to be in, in a different and slightly different way from others, in order to also set an example for others (which they would love to see in you) and be that "something else" that people often look to see in others. And I know everything is possible! Besides, I've always wanted in my life to be different and be more interesting, to be "up-to-date" and not something outdated or something that has existed for a long time! That means bringing some kind of change for the better to the world and something modern and contemporary that just hasn't existed before you! Otherwise I think it's just boring and won't work. It's important that everyone truly loves you, and it's always hard work on yourself that just becomes a task in my opinion! I'm also someone who really likes to always be as authentic and genuine as possible, to others and myself alike, and it works.
What do you do apart from being a Eurovision fan?
In my life I do a lot of things. Some of them are unrelated with the music profession, but most of them do (which is also much more than just Eurovision itself, and this is also reflected by the focus on the music itself in general and thus also that I create music, not just perform...), because I also deal with sound and other things (which I mentioned upward, in question 4---> ). In my free time I go out with friends, hang out and go to parties, movies and shows, I travel, go to the beach, cook, shop and just take advantage of every moment of my life that I always try to enjoy as much as possible, like everyone else. In other words, "live life now"!
What’s your favourite Eurovision Song of all time?
Well, not the easiest question! Just as it wouldn't be easy to answer, if I were asked to answer a question such as "What is your favorite Eurovision singer?" (Which I would then say is probably my favorite singer also in general Sakis Rouvas for example (twice Greece's representative at Eurovision), who is also the example, "like a model" and the source of inspiration for me). But how about maybe one of the most prominent songs in the Eurovision Song Contest (and it's also the song that maybe not coincidentally is the song that just won the contest at the time) represented Turkey by the singer I also hear and love Sertab Erener who just "burned the stage" with her then along with her belly dancers, called "Everyway that I can" (?!). I love its oriental elements, which is also what's special about this song, which talks about love. Of all the songs written in the world, by the way, the largest percentage of songs are songs about the theme of love. And it meets almost every possible criterion of a winning song that will remain with us for a long time ahead and we want to reopen it, because mainly it is simply a very beautiful, catchy, rhythmic and uplifting song, worthy, strong and powerful that rings well. You can also easily hear the great enthusiasm of the audience in the hall, if you watch the Eurovision performance of this song on YouTube, because you can hear how the audience is just enthusiastic there "approximately" and you hear its "wow". And maybe it's no coincidence that at FANvision I chose to perform a song that also represented the same country in the ESC in the past, Turkey. So I believe that there must be some legality to understand, hiding here! After all, I didn't just elaborate on question No. 1 about the fact that I think music is written in Turkey, which is perhaps one of the most wonderful and beautiful in the world. Apparently there is something magical about Turkey that is not sure if it necessarily exists elsewhere (?!)
Meet the Head of Delegation
of OGAE Israel:
| NAME | Nir Harel |
|---|---|
| CLUB | OGAE ISRAEL |
 |
How did your club find your representative?
We all know Arel from our Karaoke-parties and from last year's competition. We support him and we trust him.
Does your club bring a lot of supporters for your act?
Unfortunately, I don't think that members will come this year.
What do you wish for your contestant?
We wish him all the best and we are confident that he will slay the stage.
Your club is in the race for winning FANvision, what’s outstanding about your club?
We are a warm and welcoming club in a warm country. We will all welcome you all and hope for quiet times to come.
What’s your favourite Eurovision song of all time?
Hallelujah
What do you appreciate in particular in a performance in FANvision ? What would you want to see on stage and what might convince you to give a high vote?
An effort to see that people are trying their best. And, well, good vocals.