Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Participating broadcasterBulgarian National Television (BNT)
Country Bulgaria
National selection
Selection processBŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2006”
Selection date(s)Semi-final:
25 February 2006
Final:
11 March 2006
Selected artist(s)Mariana Popova
Selected song"Let Me Cry"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Dani Milev
  • Elina Gavrilova
Finals performance
Semi-final resultFailed to qualify (17th)
Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2005 2006 2007►

Bulgaria was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Let Me Cry", composed by Dani Milev, with lyrics by Elina Gavrilova, and performed by Mariana Popova. The Bulgarian participating broadcaster, Bulgarian National Television (BNT), organised the national final Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2006” in order to select its entry for the contest. 24 entries were selected to participate in the national final which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final, held on 25 February 2006 and 11 March 2006, respectively. The top twelve songs of the semi-final as determined by a fifteen-member jury panel qualified to the final. In the final, public televoting exclusively selected "Let Me Cry" performed by Mariana Popova as the winning entry with 4,700 votes.

Bulgaria competed in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 18 May 2006. Performing during the show in position 2, "Let Me Cry" was not announced among the top 10 entries of the semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Bulgaria placed seventeenth out of the 23 participating countries in the semi-final with 36 points.

Background

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Prior to the 2006 contest, Bulgarian National Television (BNT) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Bulgaria only once: in 2005 when "Lorraine" performed by Kaffe failed to qualify to the final.[1]

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, BNT organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed its participation in the 2006 contest on 20 December 2005.[2] In 2005, BNT organised a national final in order to select its entry for the competition, a selection procedure that continued for its 2006 entry.

Before Eurovision

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Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2006”

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Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2006” (The Bulgarian song in Eurovision 2006) was the national final format developed by BNT which determined the artist and song that would represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006.[3] The competition consisted of a semi-final on 25 February 2006 and a final on 11 March 2006, held at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. Both shows were hosted by Dragomir Simeonov and broadcast on Channel 1.[4][5]

Competing entries

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On 20 December 2005, BNT opened a submission period for artists and songwriters to submit their entries until 23 January 2006.[2][6] By the end of the deadline, the broadcaster received 126 entries.[7] On 3 February 2006, the twenty-four artists and songs selected for the competition by a fifteen-member committee were announced.[8] The committee consisted of Vili Kazasyan (conductor and composer), Nayden Andreev (composer), Toncho Rusev (composer), Yordanka Hristova (singer), Zhivko Kolev (lyricist and screenwriter), Veselin Todorov (musician), Ana-Maria Tonkova (music journalist), Alexander Petrov (poet), Slavcho Nikolov (musician and composer), Momchil Kolev (musician and composer), Jivko Petrov (musician), Vasko Stefanov (director) and Petar Dundakov (composer).[9]

On 6 February 2006, "Merak" performed by Vanya Kostova and Boyan Mihaylov was disqualified from the competition after the song had been performed in September 2005 and replaced with "Nevŭzmozhna tishina" performed by Mariana Pashalieva and Marin Yonchev. Pashalieva and Yonchev withdrew their song on 10 February 2006 by the decision of Yonchev's producer and replaced with "Lyubovta e otrova" performed by Slavi Trifonov and Sofi Marinova.[10][11] On 13 February 2006, Trifonov and Marinova withdrew their song in protest of the selection of the committee and replaced with the song "V nyakoi drug zhivot" performed by Plamen Petrev and Angel.[12]

Artist Song Songwriter(s)
Ani Lozanova "Shte te zapalya" (Ще те запаля) Rosen Cheshmedzhiev, Ani Lozanova
Big Mama Scandal "All This Time" Ivaylo Gochev
D'a Voices "Celebrate Tonight" Ognyan Ivanov
Deyan Nedelchev "Na teb" (На теб) Krasimir Gulmezov, Silvia Mikhailova
Geppy "A Matter of Time" Gospodin Gospodinov-Geppy, Nikolay Vasilev
Ivaylo Kolev "Every Dream at Night" Vladi Tozetta, Paula Pavlova
Mariana Popova "Let Me Cry" Dani Milev, Elina Gavrilova
Martin Aleksandrov "Te vas" Martin Alexandrov, Svetla Panteva
Mastilo "Next to You" Desislav Simeonov, Viktoria Terziyska
Melody Тraffic "Love That You Can't See" Melody Traffic, Neli Shishkova
Neda Karova and Da "Wish" Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg
Nemo "Za mig" (За миг) Alek Kireev
Plamen Petrev and Angel "V nyakoi drug zhivot" (В някой друг живот) Petr Pesev, Plamen Penev
Ralitsa Grudeva "With You" Alex Nushev, Alexandr Kiprov
Safo "Land of Regret" Vladimir Mikhailov
Sonya Todorova "Trust Yourself" Maxim Hristov, Sonya Todorova
Stalker "Faces" Militsa Gladnishka, Kiril Dobrev
Stoyan Zakhariev "Karmic Love" Stoyan Zakhariev, Jessy Steal
Sunnie "I Can't Stop" Stanislava Dimitrova-Sunnie
Sunrise "Going to Sofia" Georgi Marholev
Vasil Petrov and Instinkt "Da mozhesh da chakash" (Да можеш да чакаш) Kamen Drandiyski, Ivan Tenev
Vesela Boneva "Let Me Live Again" Stamen Yanev, Desislava Sofranova
Vesela Boneva and Plamen Pyatov "That's Me" Ivaylo Terziev
Violeta Jeknich "Tants na noshtta" (Танц на нощта) Goran Jeknich, Stanislava Dimitrova-Sunny

Shows

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Semi-final

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The semi-final took place on 3 February 2006. Twelve entries qualified to the final based on the votes of a jury panel.[13][14] The fifteen-person jury consisted of Vili Kazasyan, Nayden Andreev, Toncho Rusev, Yordanka Hristova, Zhivko Kolev, Veselin Todorov, Anna-Maria Tonkova, Alexander Petrov, Slavcho Nikolov, Momchil Kolev, Zhivko Petrov, Vasko Stefanov and Petar Dundakov.[8] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, guest performers were No Name (who represented Serbia and Montenegro in 2005), Fabrizio Faniello (who represented Malta in 2006), and Christine Guldbrandsen (who represented Norway in 2006).[15]

Semi-final – 25 February 2006
Draw Artist Song Result
1 Safo "Land of Regret" Eliminated
2 Sunnie "I Can't Stop" Eliminated
3 Sonya Todorova "Trust Yourself" Advanced
4 Ivaylo Kolev "Every Dream at Night" Advanced
5 Vasil Petrov and Instinkt "Da mozhesh da chakash" Eliminated
6 Big Mama Scandal "All This Time" Advanced
7 Deyan Nedelchev "Na teb" Eliminated
8 Ralitsa Grudeva "With You" Eliminated
9 Plamen Petrev and Angel "V nyakoi drug zhivot" Eliminated
10 Neda Karova and Da "Wish" Advanced
11 Nemo "Za mig" Eliminated
12 Stalker "Faces" Eliminated
13 Violeta Jeknich "Tants na noshtta" Eliminated
14 Stoyan Zakhariev "Karmic Love" Advanced
15 Mastilo "Next to You" Advanced
16 Vesela Boneva and Plamen Pyatov "That's Me" Advanced
17 D'a Voices "Celebrate Tonight" Eliminated
18 Geppy "A Matter of Time" Advanced
19 Sunrise "Going to Sofia" Eliminated
20 Melody Тraffic "Love That You Can't See" Advanced
21 Mariana Popova "Let Me Cry" Advanced
22 Ani Lozanova "Shte te zapalya" Advanced
23 Vesela Boneva "Let Me Live Again" Advanced
24 Martin Aleksandrov "Te vas" Eliminated

Final

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The final took place on 11 March 2006. The twelve semi-final qualifiers competed and "Let Me Cry" performed by Mariana Popova was selected as the winner exclusively by public televoting.[16][17] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, guest performers were Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov.[18]

Final – 11 March 2006
Draw Artist Song Televote Place
1 Stoyan Zakhariev "Karmic Love" 658 9
2 Vesela Boneva "Let Me Live Again" 1,437 5
3 Mariana Popova "Let Me Cry" 4,700 1
4 Neda Karova and Da "Wish" 717 8
5 Sonya Todorova "Trust Yourself" 173 11
6 Ani Lozanova "Shte te zapalya" 253 10
7 Ivailo Kolev "Every Dream at Night" 3,993 3
8 Mastilo "Next to You" 4,000 2
9 Vesela Boneva and Plamen Pyatov "That's Me" 991 6
10 Melody Тraffic "Love That You Can't See" 1,681 4
11 Geppy "A Matter of Time" 773 7
12 Big Mama Scandal "All This Time" 167 12

Controversy

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Following the Bulgarian national final, a letter signed by nine of the finalists demanded a revote due to their lines being blocked during the voting window. They also accused BNT for fixing the voting in favour of Mariana Popova.[19] The broadcaster later denied such claims and stated that the ranking remained the same even after the late votes were processed.[20]

At Eurovision

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According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom) and the ten highest placed finishers in the 2005 contest are required to qualify from the semi-final on 18 May 2006 in order to compete for the final on 20 May 2006; the top ten countries from the semi-final progress to the final. On 21 March 2006, a special allocation draw was held which determined the running order for the semi-final and Bulgaria was set to perform in position 2, following the entry from Armenia and before the entry from Slovenia.[21] At the end of the semi-final, Bulgaria was not announced among the top 10 entries and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Bulgaria placed seventeenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 36 points.[22]

The semi-final and the final were broadcast in Bulgaria on Channel 1 with commentary by Elena Rosberg and Georgi Kushvaliev.[23] BNT appointed Dragomir Simeonov as its spokesperson to announce the Bulgarian votes during the final.

Voting

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Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Bulgaria and awarded by Bulgaria in the semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Russia in the semi-final and to Greece in the final of the contest.

Points awarded to Bulgaria

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Points awarded to Bulgaria (Semi-final)[24]
Score Country
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points  Macedonia
5 points  Spain
4 points  France
3 points  Greece
2 points
1 point

Points awarded by Bulgaria

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References

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  1. ^ "Bulgaria Country Profile". EBU. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b Bakker, Sietse (20 December 2005). "Bulgarian final on 11th March". Esctoday. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Полуфинал на конкурса за българска песен на "Eurovision 2006" Полуфинал на конкурса "Българска песен на "Евровизия 2006"". bulphoto.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  4. ^ "EuroBGVision 2006". 4lyrics.
  5. ^ "Избираме за 10 мин. нашенската песен за Евровизия". dnes.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Регламент за избора на българска песен за конкурса на "Евровизия 2006"". bnt.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 August 2006. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  7. ^ Bakker, Sietse (23 January 2006). "126 songs for Bulgarian selection". Esctoday.
  8. ^ a b "Избраха 24-те български песни-полуфиналисти за Евровизия 2006". Avtora (in Bulgarian). 3 February 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Селекционна комисия". bnt.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 August 2006. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  10. ^ "И тази година Евровизия гръмна със скандал". dnes.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Нова песен отпадна от Евровизия 2006. Слави Трифонов влиза в играта". Avtora (in Bulgarian). 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Дует на Пламен Пенев и Ейнджъл хвана последния влак за Евровизия". dnes.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  13. ^ "BULGARIAN SEMI-FINAL 2006".
  14. ^ "Полуфиналисти". bnt.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 June 2006. Archived from the original on 19 June 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Гости на конкурса". bnt.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 August 2006. Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  16. ^ "BULGARIAN NATIONAL FINAL 2006".
  17. ^ "Българската певица Мариана Попова ще ни представя на "Евровизия"". plovdivguide.com (in Bulgarian). 13 March 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Мариана Попова спечели надпреварата за българска песен на Евровизия". Avtora (in Bulgarian). 12 March 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  19. ^ "Отново скандал с класирането за конкурса "Евровизия"". Mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 12 March 2006. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Българските изпълнители се хванаха за косите заради Евровизия". www.dnes.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  21. ^ Bakker, Sietse (21 March 2006). "Running order decided!". EscToday.
  22. ^ "Semi-Final of Athens 2006". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  23. ^ "ЕВРОВИЗИЯ по Канал 1 - Фолксваген Клуб България". forum.vwclub.bg. Retrieved 16 December 2022.
  24. ^ a b "Results of the Semi-Final of Athens 2006". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Results of the Grand Final of Athens 2006". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.