Tamara Gachechiladze will take on the role as Georgian spokesperson.
Georgian singer Tamara Gachechiladze will read out the jury’s points at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Tamara represented the country at last year’s contest in Kyiv, Ukraine, but failed to qualify from the semi-final with her song “Keep The Faith”.
Representing Georgia this year is Iriao, an all-male group made up of David Malazonia, Nugzar Kavtaradze, Bidzina Murgulia, Levan Abshilava, Shalva Gelekva, George Abashidze, and Mikheil Javakhishvili. The name “Iriao” is derived from the Georgian phrase “Iriao-uruao”, which is used in the yodelling singing style “Krimanchuli”.
Iriao will be performing “Sheni Gulistvis (For You)” on stage in Lisbon. Musical arrangement is by Mikheil Mdinaradze, while author of the text is Irina Sanikidze.
The song will remain true to Iriao’s style and contain elements of Georgian Polyphony. Georgian Polyphony has been named by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The song will also be performed in Georgian, marking only the second time the language has been heard at Eurovision.
Source: GPB
Georgia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, they were represented by Sopho Khalvashi and the song “Visionary Dream”. Sopho finished 8th in the final scoring 97 points, the song received 12 points from the televoters in Lithuania. Georgia has only ever missed one contest since their debut, this was in 2009 when Georgia had selected Stephane & 3G with “We Don’t Wanna Put In”, the song proved controversial for its lyrics aimed at the Russian President. The EBU asked for Georgia to rewrite the lyrics of the song or change the song completely. Georgia was forced to withdraw as it continued to state the lyrics were not of a political nature.
It’ll be great to see her back.