The third round of Ranina, Georgia’s method of selection for Junior Eurovision, started this evening with the first five of the ten hopefuls leading famed Georgian polyphonic choir Shavnabada in song.
A fan favorite round of each season of Ranina, the internationally renowned Georgian male choir showcase the nation’s unique musical tradition, with the famed ensemble playing back-up and challenging each contestant to lead them.
Shavnabada also have history at Eurovision, with members forming Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao for Eurovision 2018, and providing backing vocals for Oto Nemsadze’s Eurovision 2019 entry “Keep on Going.”
Barbara Morgoshia kicked off the evening with a perfect 120 points. Mate Martiashvili followed, also nabbing the perfect 120 with a commanding performance on a challenging somber number.
Andria Putkaradze’s range was tested and he wowed the judges and audience, also scoring a perfect 120.
Marta Nozadze followed up, earning 118 points. Giorgi Shashiashvili turned on the charm, onboarding earlier critiques and impressing the judges, earning 120 points.
Heading into next week’s second part of the third round, here are the scores so far:
- Andria Putkaradze: 117 + 120 + 120 = 357
- Barbara Morgoshia: 116 + 120 + 120 = 356
- Mate Martiashvili: 114 + 120 + 120 = 354
- Giorgi Shashiashvili: 113 + 120 + 120 = 353
- Marta Nozadze: 114 + 120 + 118 = 352
- Andria Mishvelidze: 120 + 120 = 240
- Anastasia Iremadze: 119 + 120 = 239
- Sandro Ashotia: 118 + 120 = 238
- Sandro Gurgenadze: 118 + 120 = 238
- Ia Lachelle: 117 + 120 = 237
Teona Tsiramua, the artistic director of the Gori Girls Choir, joined regular judges Dato Evgenidze and Nato Metonidze on the panel.
Each contestant can potentially earn up to 120 points per round. There’s 10 points available for each judge across the four judging categories of vocals, performance, artistry and collaboration.
The five contestants with the highest scores after four tours (usually spread over eight weeks) progress to the Semi-Finals, where the top three progress to the Grand Final.
Hosted by David Aladashvili, with Ranina 2022 finalist Vache Ghviniashvili as co-host and green room interviewer, this is the seventh time that Ranina will be used to select Georgia’s representative at Junior Eurovision. The song is usually released close to the European Broadcasting Union deadline, with the songwriter selected internally (more often than not, it’s serial JESC winning songwriter Giga Kukhianidze).
The best performance by Georgia in the Ranina era is Mariam Bigvava, who came in 3rd at Junior Eurovision 2022 with “I Believe,” one year after Niko Kajaia’s 4th place with “Let’s count the Smiles.”
Last year, 1TV mixed up the formula slightly by pairing Season 6 winner Anastasia Vasadze with Season 5 finalists Nikoloz Kharati and Oto Bazerashvlili on “Over the Sky.” Georgia came in 14th, equaling their lowest ever placement of Giorgi Rotiashvili’s “We Need Love” from 2019.
Overall, Georgia has the joint most wins with France among Junior Eurovision nations with three victories (all Kukhianidze compositions) in 2008, 2011, and 2016.
Tune in to Ranina next Saturday, April 27, 2024, for the second half of the third round on 1TV Georgia.
Do #YOU think Georgia should persist with “Ranina” as its method of selection for Junior Eurovision? Which one of these ten hopefuls do #YOU think has what it takes to win a fourth JESC crown for Georgia? Let us know in the comments, in our forum, or in our social media.
