12 punkti! Eurovisiooni hitid: Estonia's Eurovision Documentary
Eurovision 2020 with a difference for the Estonians as they gear up for Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light
As the end of another Eurovision season approaches to an end, one could say that 2020 was an eventful season that led to the cancellation of this year's contest due to COVID-19. A special EBU broadcast, Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light is set to take place instead.
Different countries hosted alternative Eurovision Song Contests by choosing their winners and also ranking their own entries in the contest. Many approaches were taken to fill the void and Estonia is no exception. 12 punkti! Eurovisiooni hitid is a special documentary taking the viewers down memory lane with 65 years of Eurovision Song Contest memories.
During the documentary, a number of Estonian former representatives and songwriters took part as a panel to discuss Eurovision related topics. The panel included:
- Evelin Samuel (Estonia 1999 - Diamond of Night)
- Ott Lepland (Estonia 2012 - Kuula)
- Birgit Sarrap (Estonia 2013 - Et uus saaks alguse")
- Sven Lõhmus (Songwriter for Estonia 2005, 2009, 2011 and 2017)
- Marko Reikop (Commentator for Estonia at Eurovision since 1998)
The panel mentioned their favourite songs and moments which were aired and discussed so viewers could watch. Some included:
- United Kingdom 1996: Gina G - "Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit"
- Estonia 2015: Elina Born & Stig Rästa - "Goodbye to Yesterday"
- Sweden 2015: Måns Zelmerlöw - "Heroes"
- Estonia 2001: Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL - "Everybody"
- Latvia 2000: Brainstorm - "My Star"
- Norway 2009: Alexander Rybak - "Fairytale"
- Malta 2002: Ira Losco - "7th Wonder"
- Estonia 1994: Silvi Vrait - "Nagu merelaine"
- Ireland 1994: Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - "Rock 'n' Roll Kids"
- Italy 1958: Domenico Modugno - "Nel blu dipinto di blu"
- Estonia 1998: Koit Toome - "Mere lapsed"
- Israel 1998: Dana International - "Diva"
- Russia 2015: Polina Gagarina - "A Million Voices"
- Israel 2018: Netta - "Toy"
- Austria 2014: Conchita - "Rise Like a Phoenix"
- Sweden 2012: Loreen - "Euphoria"
The Estonian representative Uku Suviste was due to present "What Love Is" in Rotterdam this year. on Saturday 16 May, another documentary about Uku, Lavale loodud: Uku Suviste will give the viewers an opportunity to watch his music career to date, his experience during the time of Eesti Laul and what has been happening after the cancellation was announced. This will air on ETV on Saturday 16 May at 20:30 CEST.
Estonia in Eurovision Song Contest
Estonia has participated in Eurovision Song Contest 25 times by now, first in 1994. Estonia has participated every year, except 1995. Estonia has managed to qualify to the grand final only 7 out of 16 times.
Estonia has won just once, in year 2001 with the song "Everybody" performed by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton and 2XL.
