Exclusive: Interview With Vladislav Yakovlev

Eurovoix.com are extremely proud to bring you a three-part interview with Vladislav Yakovlev the Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Eurovision Young Dancers and Eurovision Young Musicians. In the three parts we discuss the Junior contest, the differences between the three contest’s Vladislav is in charge of as well as looking at the more fun side of the job.

In this first part of the interview, Vladislav Yakovlev talks about the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The challenge of taking on his first contest, the future of the contest and whether Junior Eurovision is still relevant. Here is what he had to say.

First off, congratulations on your first Junior Eurovision Song Contest: the show was brilliant and interest in the contest grew hugely this year. What is it like being put in charge of such an event?

 I felt such tremendous pleasure being in charge of such a big live television event.  However, the main goal for me was to make sure that the show actually happened.  It was during a very difficult transition period: you can’t imagine how many people were telling me directly and indirectly that the show was dead or that it won’t take place any longer, so I felt loads of responsibility and stress to get to this point today, of enjoying the satisfaction of achieving it.

 How important is that the kids, when they take part in the contest, enjoy themselves; that they are not put under pressure?

 Very important, of course. The ethical rules were always an indispensable part of the event and we strengthened them even more last year. All the Heads of Delegation were aware of the rules and also the importance of making it fun for the kids.  It helped us all keep track of what was the main focus: the kids having fun performing.

 The 2013 contest was the 11th edition of Junior Eurovision.  How do you feel that the contest has evolved since 2003?

 I would say it was evolving until 2006, but then started to slowly decay. Some new countries appeared but then they were suddenly leaving the contest. And even the strong entertainment elements implemented in Ukraine (2009) and Belarus (2010) did not really stop its slow rolling down.

 The contest in recent years has had issues with countries leaving on a regular basis and not staying around for long. What takes place to convince countries like San Marino to give the contest a go and convince the likes of Malta that returning is worthwhile?

 San Marino was a newcomer, so it was a pure question of the event’s presentation. Malta did participate, so we had to focus more JESC format changes in comparison with previous editions rather than just presenting the project. Each country has its list of pros and cons regarding the contest, so it’s about independent one-to-one negotiations.

 There are some people who do question now whether Junior Eurovision is still relevant, whether it has a future. What would you say to them?

 I think that encouraging kids to perform and have fun in front of – usually – the biggest audience they’ve ever seen is hugely relevant as they will be the stars of the future and need our support to keep striving, learning and growing in their talents.  Not only that, but people at home will view the contest on live television or online and hopefully also see that kids should be respected and celebrated too.

 Knowing that Junior Eurovision will be around for years to come, do you ever see the contest becoming as large as adult Eurovision?

 Perhaps not in the near future, but my priority is to find the balance between East and West European countries in the Contest. I should say that it is starting to look very positive. The next step will be to increase the number of participating countries. Fingers crossed.

 We know that the 2013 contest was the stepping stone between the old contest and the new contest in 2014. What plans do the EBU have for the contest?

 You can definitely expect more changes in the format. I can’t reveal any secrets right now, but I can assure you that the basis of the format remains the same: countries, songs, voting and fun.  What’s new in the format? You’ll find out very soon.

 It was revealed in December that the EBU were in discussions with seven countries about Junior Eurovision. Is the fact that Germany sent a delegation to Kiev to look at the contest a positive sign that the Big 5 have not ruled out the contest?

 Germany and Hungary both sent their representatives. Moreover, we are in close permanent format discussion with some Scandinavian and Mediterranean countries. I expect to see at least two out of BIG 5 countries if not in 2014, then in 2015. Another goal to strive for.

Tomorrow we’ll bring you the second part of our interview with Vladislav Yakovlev, in which he discusses Eurovision Young Dancers and Young Musicians.