Extra burden of going for glory
The Junior Eurovision will be held in Cyprus for the first time this year. This puts extra pressure on our hopefuls
By Eleni Antoniou
The history of Cyprus, facts about the island and even an explanation as to why the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Center in Limassol is so called are making the rounds in Europe. The reason? The sixth Junior Eurovision Song Contest is being held in Limassol this year.
Since CyBC successfully applied to host the 2008 Junior Eurovision, organisers and planners have a lot on their plate. The biggest burden, however, seems to fall on the little shoulders of six girls; the group that will be representing Cyprus in November.
Thirty-eight was the original number of participants eager to represent us. This was whittled down to a semi-final round of eight who performed live on TV in front of an audience and a panel of judges. The position was finally won by Charis Savva, 10, and Elena Mannouri, 11, singing Whoppie Yia. Elena Zacharia, 13, Tereza Koshi, 12, Christia Iracleous,12, and Pantelina Charalambous, 13, are back-up dancers. The girls are looking forward to representing their country, especially since it will be held in their country.
“Although we really want to win the contest, the fact that we’re representing our country and representing it here in Cyprus, is exciting for us,” said Antigoni Tassouri, the choreographer. “The girls were incredibly stressed before the semi-finals. They really wanted to get through, so even if they don’t win, it will still be an amazing opportunity when they meet all the children from the various countries that will be visiting.”
It is Antigoni’s third time assisting a Junior Eurovision team. “It’s just like the bigger version. Neighbouring countries vote for each other and the competition can become intense. We’ve put our heart and soul into this project and that’s exactly what you need to fight with the big boys.”
Make up artists, hairdressers and even a costume designer have been hired to assist. The costumes are in line with the theme of the show. “Every Junior Eurovision has a theme and this year it’s Fun in the Sun, which works well since it’s held here on our sunny island,” says Antigoni.
Although the girls are definitely more relaxed after winning the ticket to the finals, it has been a busy and exhausting time for them not to mention for their parents. While the children were ferried to and from Antigoni’s studio after school and on weekends, rehearsing two hours a day, the parents were keeping themselves busy paying the bills.
“We wanted to do this right, so we made sure we had the best but that also meant we were going to have to pay more than expected,” said Panayiotis Mannouris. “It was a significant amount but we believe that this will be a step in the right direction for the girls, so it was decided we would do whatever it takes to get them through.” The parents have, so far, paid for everything their daughters have done regarding the Eurovision, from costumes to orchestration of the song.
Unlike the adult version of the Eurovision, hosts of the junior branch are not necessarily the winners of the contest. Despo Karpi, of CyBC said: “For the chance to host the Junior Eurovision, you have to apply. And that’s exactly what we’ve done. After proving we have the facilities and technology to hold such an event, we were given the OK.”
The contest will be held at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre on November 22. The arena can host 6,255 guests, but the space needed for the stage and cameras means space will be limited to less than that.
