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Junior Eurovision preview - Part 2: Malta to Ukraine 🇫🇷

03 December 2021 at 11:30 CET
Simão (Portugal), Sara James (Poland) and Ayana (Netherlands) will compete in Paris
The official Junior Eurovision album is now available to listen to on streaming platforms ahead of the Contest which takes place in Paris on Sunday 19 December.

🎧 Listen: Official Junior Eurovision Album: Paris 2021 🇫🇷

🎧 Listen: Official Junior Eurovision Album: Paris 2021 🇫🇷

With 19 participants in contention, it’s time to take a look at the runners and riders from Malta to Ukraine:

Malta: Ike & Kaya – My Home

Malta has spoken: Ike and Kaya will pack their bags for Paris! The duo will represent the sunny island nation with the song 'My Home’.

📺 Watch: Ike & Kaya – My Home

Ike Mizzi has been involved in the music industry for around 2 years and he says that his life has never been better! He even appeared in French pop star Keen’V’s video for Pour y Arriver.

For Kaya Gouder Curmi music has been her passion since when she was just 5 years old. She has competed in different festivals, including SanRemo Junior where she placed first in her category.

Netherlands: Ayana – Mata Sugu Aō Ne

Ayana will fly the Dutch flag in Paris with the song Mata Sugu Aō Ne which means ‘When I See You Again’.

📺 Watch: Ayana – Mata Sugu Aō Ne

Her song is about missing those close to you and wishing to fly to be with them; a theme close to the singer’s heart as she has not seen her relatives in Japan for a long time because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika – Green Forces

Do not adjust your television set! North Macedonia has chosen to send four talented young cast members from the hit TV show Dajte Muzika to Junior Eurovision in Paris.

📺 Watch: Dajte Muzika – Green Forces

Exceptional talent, a passion for the stage, and an endless love for the majesty of music brought these four kids together to perform a song about environmental issues.

Poland: Sara James – Somebody

Sara comes from a musical family in Ośnie Lubuskie on the Poland/Germany border, where she learned to play piano at the age of 6.

📺 Watch: Sara James – Somebody

A dedicated artist, for the last 4 years she’s been honing her vocal talents at the Słubice Municipal Cultural Center and entering competitions.

Portugal: Simão Oliveira – O Rapaz

Already known to Portuguese audiences, Simão from Arouca near Porto, won ‘The Voice Kids Portugal’ at the age of 14.

📺 Watch: Simão Oliveira – O Rapaz

A talented clarinetist, Simão plays in his hometown’s youth band and is the first member of his family to pursue a career in music.

Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva – Mon Ami

Tanya Mezhentseva triumphed at Russia’s competition to find an act for Junior Eurovision, and will perform the song Mon Ami in Paris.

📺 Watch: Tanya Mezhentseva – Mon Ami

The young Muscovite (also known as 'Tatyana’) is no stranger to the Contest; in 2019 she duetted with Denberel Oorzhak in Gliwice with the song A Time For Us.

Serbia: Jovana & Dunja – Oči Deteta (Children’s Eyes)

Who wouldn’t want to visit Paris with a pal? That’s exactly what Serbian Junior Eurovision duo Jovana and Dunja will be doing on Sunday 19 December.

📺 Watch: Jovana & Dunja – Oči Deteta (Children’s Eyes)

Jovana is 10 years old and has shown a talent for music and dancing from an early age. She is currently practicing piano and entering different festivals.

Dunja is 11 and has also been a keen performer from a very young age. Recently, Dunja won a music competition at a regional school contest.

Spain: Levi Díaz – Reír

Earlier this year, Levi Díaz won The Voice Kids – Spain. Now, he will go on to fulfil another dream: performing at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest!

📺 Watch: Levi Díaz – Reír

The talented teen from Barcelona says that Frank Sinatra is his idol, and would like to be able to match his tone, voice and rhythm. He also enjoys listening to Rosalía and Netta.

Ukraine: Olena Usenko – Vazhil

Olena Usenko from Bila Tserkva was visibly delighted when she won her ticket to Junior Eurovision.

📺 Watch: Olena Usenko – Vazhil

This is the young musician’s second attempt at representing Ukraine after narrowly missing out in 2020. Finishing as runner-up made Olena appreciate how important Eurovision is to her, so she doubled her efforts this year.

👀 Read: Part 1 – Albania to Kazakhstan

You can find out more about each of the 19 participants over on JuniorEurovision.tv, and be sure to follow the official Junior Eurovision Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook channels.