🇦🇿 artist: JIVA will represent Azerbaijan

JIVA will represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. The Azerbaijani broadcaster İctimai Television announced the news on Friday 6 March. With that decision, Azerbaijan has chosen its act for the country’s 18th Eurovision participation since its debut in 2008. JIVA will perform in the first half of the second semi-final on Thursday 14 May.

The selection process was extensive. A total of 186 songs were submitted to the broadcaster. Of those entries, 107 came from local composers and performers, while 79 were sent in by international songwriters. After an initial review by a professional panel, 18 candidates were invited to audition. Their vocal abilities, stage presence and international potential were then assessed. In the end, three artists remained on the shortlist. A specially formed focus group made the final decision and selected JIVA as Azerbaijan’s representative.

JIVA is the stage name of Jamila Hashimova. According to Eurovision’s official announcement, she is known for strong vocals and sincere live performances. Her career started in 2003, when she finished second in the Baku Autumn competition. In 2007, she also took part in the Show Time project. Over the years, JIVA worked with the RAST ensemble, led by Rashad Hashimov, and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Later, she became the lead vocalist of Hazz Band, where she mixed jazz influences with contemporary pop.

Since 2017, JIVA has continued as a solo artist. She records pop, dance and R&B songs in Azerbaijani, Russian and English. In 2025, she won The Voice of Azerbaijan as part of Roya Aykhan’s team. Eurovision fans may also remember her from 2011, when she reached the top three of Azerbaijan’s national selection. For now, Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2026 story starts with the announcement of JIVA. She now has the chance to step onto Eurovision’s stage.

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Eurovision 2026

🇸🇪 National: Melodifestivalen Sweden finally has its showdown

Sweden: Tonight Melodifestivalen has its showdown. After this evening, we will know who’s gonna be the Swedish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. The show starts at 20:00 CET and you can watch it at SVT. final date: 7 marchPlace: Strawberry Arena, StockholmHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 A*Teens Iconic         l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Lina Hansson, Moa Carlebecker & Thomas G:son         2 Meira Omar Dooset daram         l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Laurell Barker & Meira Omar         3 Lilla Al-Fadji Delulu         l & m: Daniel Réhn, Edward af Sillén, Fredrik Sonefors, Lilla Al-Fadji, Melanie Wehbe & Mikaela Samuelsson         4 Saga Ludvigsson Ain’t Today         l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson         5 Smash Into Pieces Hollow         l & m: Benjamin Jennebo, Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, Per Bergquist & Philip Strand         6 Cimberly Eternity         l & m: Cimberly-Malaika Wanyonyi, David Lindgren Zacharias, Dino Medanhodzic & Melanie Wehbe         7 Medina Viva L’Amor         l & m: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt & Sami Rekik         8 Greczula Half Of Me         l & m: Andreas Werling, Karl Ivert, Kian Sang & Kristofer Greczula         9 Robin Bengtsson Honey, Honey         l & m: Gavin Jones, Petter Tarland, Pär Westerlund & Robin Bengtsson         10 Felicia My System         l & m: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Felicia Eriksson, Julie Bergan & Theresa Rex         11 Sanna Nielsen Waste Your Love         l & m: Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström & Thomas G:son         12 Brandsta City Släckers Rakt in i elden         l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg & Robert Skowronski           1st heat date: 31 JanuaryPlace: Saab Arena, LinköpingHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Greczula Half Of Me       final l & m: Andreas Werling, Karl Ivert, Kian Sang & Kristofer Greczula         2 Jacqline Woman       Final qual l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker & Thomas G:son         3 Noll2 Berusade ord       eliminated l & m: Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund & Wilmer Öberg         4 Junior Lerin Copacabana Boy       eliminated l & m: Fredrik Andersson         5 Indra Beautiful Lie       eliminated l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Indra Elg, Kristofer Strandberg, Laurell Barker, Robert Skowronski         6 A*Teens Iconic       final l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Lina Hansson, Moa Carlebecker & Thomas G:son           2nd heat date: 7 februaryPlace: Scandinavium, GöteborgHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Arwin Glitter Eliminated       l & m: Arwin Ismail, Axel Schylström, Dino Medanhodzic, Melanie Wehbe & Robert Skowronski         2 Laila Adèle Oxygen Eliminated       l & m: Jonas Thander, Laila Adèle & Marcus Winther-John         3 Robin Bengtsson Honey, Honey Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Gavin Jones, Petter Tarland, Pär Westerlund & Robin Bengtsson         4 Felicia My System Final       l & m: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Felicia Eriksson, Julie Bergan & Theresa Rex         5 Klara Almström Där hela världen väntar Eliminated       l & m: Fredrik Sonefors, Jimmy Jansson & Klara Almström         6 Brandsta City Släckers Rakt in i elden Final       l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg & Robert Skowronski           3rd heat date: 14 FebruaryPlace: Kristiansand Arena, KristiansandHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Patrik Jean Dusk Till Dawn Eliminated       l & m: David Lindgren Zacharias, Joy Deb, Melanie Wehbe & Patrik Jean         2 Korslagda King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Eliminated       l & m: Andreas Werling, Kristofer Strandberg, Pedro Sanchez & Stefan “UBBE” Sjur         3 Emilia Pantić Ingenting Eliminated       l & m: Emilia Pantić, Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund, Theodor Ström & Wilmer Öberg         4 Medina Viva L’Amor Final       l & m: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt & Sami Rekik         5 Eva Jumatate Selfish Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Eva Jumatate, Herman Gardarfve, Marlene Strand, Ruth Lindegren         6 Saga Ludvigsson Ain’t Today Final       l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson         Sweden selects its song through Melodifestivalen. In 5 heats, 2 songs each go to the final. Number 3 goes to the ‘final qual’. After the 5th heat, 2 songs from that contest will be added to the final, which contains 12 songs. 4th heat date: 21 februaryPlace: Malmö Arena, MalmöHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Cimberly Eternity Final       l & m: Cimberly-Malaika Wanyonyi, David Lindgren Zacharias, Dino Medanhodzic & Melanie Wehbe         2 Timo Räisänen Ingenting är efter oss Eliminated       l & m: Andreas “Giri” Lindbergh, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Lina Räisänen, Linnea Deb & Timo Räisänen         3 Meira Omar Dooset daram Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Laurell Barker & Meira Omar         4 Felix Manu Hatar

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March 7, 2026 No Comments
Eurovision 2026
Martijn

🇸🇪 National: Melodifestivalen Sweden finally has its showdown

Sweden: Tonight Melodifestivalen has its showdown. After this evening, we will know who’s gonna be the Swedish representative in the Eurovision Song Contest. The show starts at 20:00 CET and you can watch it at SVT. final date: 7 marchPlace: Strawberry Arena, StockholmHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 A*Teens Iconic         l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Lina Hansson, Moa Carlebecker & Thomas G:son         2 Meira Omar Dooset daram         l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Laurell Barker & Meira Omar         3 Lilla Al-Fadji Delulu         l & m: Daniel Réhn, Edward af Sillén, Fredrik Sonefors, Lilla Al-Fadji, Melanie Wehbe & Mikaela Samuelsson         4 Saga Ludvigsson Ain’t Today         l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson         5 Smash Into Pieces Hollow         l & m: Benjamin Jennebo, Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, Per Bergquist & Philip Strand         6 Cimberly Eternity         l & m: Cimberly-Malaika Wanyonyi, David Lindgren Zacharias, Dino Medanhodzic & Melanie Wehbe         7 Medina Viva L’Amor         l & m: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt & Sami Rekik         8 Greczula Half Of Me         l & m: Andreas Werling, Karl Ivert, Kian Sang & Kristofer Greczula         9 Robin Bengtsson Honey, Honey         l & m: Gavin Jones, Petter Tarland, Pär Westerlund & Robin Bengtsson         10 Felicia My System         l & m: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Felicia Eriksson, Julie Bergan & Theresa Rex         11 Sanna Nielsen Waste Your Love         l & m: Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström & Thomas G:son         12 Brandsta City Släckers Rakt in i elden         l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg & Robert Skowronski           1st heat date: 31 JanuaryPlace: Saab Arena, LinköpingHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Greczula Half Of Me       final l & m: Andreas Werling, Karl Ivert, Kian Sang & Kristofer Greczula         2 Jacqline Woman       Final qual l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker & Thomas G:son         3 Noll2 Berusade ord       eliminated l & m: Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund & Wilmer Öberg         4 Junior Lerin Copacabana Boy       eliminated l & m: Fredrik Andersson         5 Indra Beautiful Lie       eliminated l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Indra Elg, Kristofer Strandberg, Laurell Barker, Robert Skowronski         6 A*Teens Iconic       final l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Lina Hansson, Moa Carlebecker & Thomas G:son           2nd heat date: 7 februaryPlace: Scandinavium, GöteborgHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Arwin Glitter Eliminated       l & m: Arwin Ismail, Axel Schylström, Dino Medanhodzic, Melanie Wehbe & Robert Skowronski         2 Laila Adèle Oxygen Eliminated       l & m: Jonas Thander, Laila Adèle & Marcus Winther-John         3 Robin Bengtsson Honey, Honey Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Gavin Jones, Petter Tarland, Pär Westerlund & Robin Bengtsson         4 Felicia My System Final       l & m: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Felicia Eriksson, Julie Bergan & Theresa Rex         5 Klara Almström Där hela världen väntar Eliminated       l & m: Fredrik Sonefors, Jimmy Jansson & Klara Almström         6 Brandsta City Släckers Rakt in i elden Final       l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg & Robert Skowronski           3rd heat date: 14 FebruaryPlace: Kristiansand Arena, KristiansandHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Patrik Jean Dusk Till Dawn Eliminated       l & m: David Lindgren Zacharias, Joy Deb, Melanie Wehbe & Patrik Jean         2 Korslagda King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Eliminated       l & m: Andreas Werling, Kristofer Strandberg, Pedro Sanchez & Stefan “UBBE” Sjur         3 Emilia Pantić Ingenting Eliminated       l & m: Emilia Pantić, Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund, Theodor Ström & Wilmer Öberg         4 Medina Viva L’Amor Final       l & m: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt & Sami Rekik         5 Eva Jumatate Selfish Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Eva Jumatate, Herman Gardarfve, Marlene Strand, Ruth Lindegren         6 Saga Ludvigsson Ain’t Today Final       l & m: Dino Medanhodzic, Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson         Sweden selects its song through Melodifestivalen. In 5 heats, 2 songs each go to the final. Number 3 goes to the ‘final qual’. After the 5th heat, 2 songs from that contest will be added to the final, which contains 12 songs. 4th heat date: 21 februaryPlace: Malmö Arena, MalmöHosts: Gina Dirawi & Hampus Nessvold 1 Cimberly Eternity Final       l & m: Cimberly-Malaika Wanyonyi, David Lindgren Zacharias, Dino Medanhodzic & Melanie Wehbe         2 Timo Räisänen Ingenting är efter oss Eliminated       l & m: Andreas “Giri” Lindbergh, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Lina Räisänen, Linnea Deb & Timo Räisänen         3 Meira Omar Dooset daram Qualified for Final Qual       l & m: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Laurell Barker & Meira Omar         4 Felix Manu Hatar

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March 7, 2026 No Comments
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