Image credits: Corinne Cumming / EBU The Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) 2023 just came to an end with a victory for France. The country was represented by Zoé Clauzure with the song Cœur. This is the third win from the country in the last four years.
The summary of the show
In the welcome, the winner of JESC 2022, Lissandro, showcased his superpowers in an edition with the slogan «Heroes», followed by the common song Heroes, performed by this year’s contestants during the flag parade. Later, the hosts Olivier Minne and Laury Thillemann were introduced, alongside the digital ambassador, Ophenya.
- Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu
- Postcard: Tennis Club Nice Giordan
Sandra Valero kicked off the competitive performances, representing Spain. Accompanied by four dancers, the staging revolved around the theme of travel, reflected not only in the graphics on screens (which displayed the landmarks of some cities mentioned in the lyrics) but also in stage elements like suitcases. It concluded with fireworks, delivering a lively, cheerful, and colorful presentation.
- Malta/Yulan – Stronger
- Postcard: Promenade des Anglais
Malta was the second country on stage, represented by Yulan. The staging was dominated by black and white tones, with the singer alone under a spotlight and seated on a chair. It was a much less lively and upbeat performance, carrying more emotional weight.
- Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka
- Postcard: Gare du Sud
Here’s how to convey a serious message in a light manner, aimed at a young audience. Ukraine was represented by the sweet Anastasia Dymyd. The song title, Kvitka, means «flower» in Ukrainian. The staging was abundant with flowers (including on TV graphics), and anime characters were notably present on the LED screens.
- Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling
- Postcard: Basketball court at Place Masséna
If you saw a familiar face during Ireland’s performance, you were not making any confusion. This year’s representative, Jessica McKean, was joined by last year’s performer, Sophie Lennon, during the song’s climax. Dressed in sumptuous dresses, the performers were accompanied by graphics that «winked» at fairy tales.
- United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life
- Postcard: Port of Nice
After some moments in the green room talking with the singers who performed earlier, the STAND UNIQU3 from the United Kingdom performed. They were the first group to perform. The artists were in LED diamonds, delivering a colorful performance with plenty of dancing and background graphics featuring an urban scene. It was a daring and perhaps one of the most complex proposals of the edition.
- North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj
- Postcard: At a running track in Nice
North Macedonia, with Tamara Grujeska, presented a sentimental ballad, with some traditional sounds, where the performer stood alone on stage. The spotlight was entirely on the young artist, with blooming trees in the background and light-colored attire.
- Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku
- Postcard: Ópera Nice
A debut moment at JESC. In their first participation, Estonia was represented by ARHANNA. The singer stood on a raised platform surrounded by various LEDs that changed colors from red to blue throughout the performance.
- Armenia/Yan Girls: Do It My Way
- Postcard: Promenade de Paillon
After a debut, there was a new round of talk in the green room before the performance of a country with a successful history: Armenia. This time, they opted for a female group, Yan Girls. It was an energetic performance with colorful graphic and scenic elements, some pyrotechnics… and also a huge dragon that appeared on stage towards the end of the song.
- Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend
- Postcard: Palais Municipal
Next came another «heavyweight» of JESC, Poland, with Maja Krzyżewska. The performance and staging matched the emotional tone of the song. The singer was accompanied by four dancers, all dressed in pink attire. On the LED background screen, graphics and childhood photographs were displayed, along with the title of the song in all the languages of the contest.
- Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky
- Postcard: Promenade des Anglais
No two without three, and Georgia took the stage, also having a history of wide success at Junior Eurovision. Anastasia & Ranina represented the country, accompanied by two dancers. Graphics displayed planets and giant butterflies at one point in the performance, with two giant flower-shaped fans also present on stage.
- Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong
- Postcard: Château de Cremat
It was Portugal’s turn, aiming to surpass last year’s eighth place, its best result to date. Júlia Machado dressed in lilac and performed a ballad centered around finding a place to call home. The singer removed part of her dress, adding movement to the performance, and ended on a raised platform while the background screen displayed a tree. The LEDs had some problems during the act, that didn’t harm the vocal performance.
- France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur
- Postcard: Rue Rossetti
The hosts came back to the green room for a while. And next… the loud applause in the Palais Nikaïa arena left no doubt: France was up next. Zoé Clauzure represented the host country with yet another song in line with the successful style France has been presenting: cheerful, fun, and lively. The singer was accompanied by a heart-shaped piano and five dancers.
- Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime
- Postcard: Légion d’Honneur Garden
Albania was represented by Viola Gjyzeli, delivering a powerful performance. The LED background screen showcased various colors and graphics, like winter trees, and the singer’s dress certainly caught attention with its wide flaps.
- Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto
- Postcard: Old Town of Nice
Italy’s staging, represented by Melissa and Ranya, was certainly one of the most elaborate. The artists began performing in front of a house-shaped structure, its walls opening to reveal rooms inside with beds. The screens displayed stars and even northern lights, and the power of the song, especially in the final part, was undeniable.
- Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte
- Postcard: Hotel Le Negresco
A standout performance from Germany and FIA, where Sign Language was an essential component. Alongside the singer was a dancer who, at one point, was on a structure with stuffed animals. Colorful graphics, with many drawings, almost representing a dream.
- Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You
- Postcard: Promenade des Anglais
Last but not least, it was the turn of the Netherlands, represented by Sep & Jasmin. With a DJ also on stage on a platform, this performance brought a lot of energy and movement. The singers’ outfits also made an impression: Jasmin with glittery attire and Sep sporting a popular teenager outfit.
Once the performances were over, the hosts were again live from the green room interviewing the participants. Then, the voting was reopened, followed by a first recap of the songs.
Lissandro, last year’s winner, was the first interval act. Accompanied by several dancers, he performed his song Oh Maman!. A red convertible was also on stage.
After another song recap, France’s representative in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2016, Amir, took the stage. He performed his contest song J’ai Cherché as well as a new single Il y a. This was the moment before the voting closed.
Before the results, there were two more significant moments: first, the performance by the pianist Van Toan, famous on TikTok in France, playing various songs, including the Christmas classic All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey.
Then, former representatives of France Angélina, Enzo, and Lissandro started singing a version of We Are the World as part of the Non-Violence Project, aiming to spread a message of global peace. All participants of this year’s event joined in the performance, as well as the Shiny Gospel, displaying the word «PEACE» on the white T-shirts they wore.
Following the customary confirmation from the Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl, the results from the national juries began to be disclosed, presented by various spokespersons. The most voted country was France, with 128 points.
Next, the public voting results were revealed, starting from the lowest jury score to the highest. The highest points from the audience went to France, garnering 92 points.
In the overall tally, France emerged as the most voted country. With 228 points, Zoé Clauzure and their song Cœur were crowned the winners of JESC 2023. After the trophy presentation, the JESC 2023 concluded with the winning performance, creating a celebratory atmosphere as all the other participants joined on stage.
Results
(Click on song titles to watch the performances)
1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 228 points
2nd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 201 points
3rd. Armenia/Yan Girls: Do It My Way: 180 points
4th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 160 points
5th. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 128 points
6th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 124 points
7th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 122 points
8th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 115 points
9th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 107 points
10th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 94 points
11th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 81 points
12th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 76 points
13th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 75 points
14th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 74 points
15th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 49 points
16th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 42 points
Jury vote
1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 136 points
2nd. Armenia/Yan Girls: Do It My Way: 116 points
3rd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 115 points
4th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 102 points
5th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 70 points
6th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 69 points
7th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 52 points
8th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 51 points
9th. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 45 points
10th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 37 points
11th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 37 points
12th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 33 points
13th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 30 points
14th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 21 points
15th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 8 points
16th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 6 points
Public vote
1st. France/Zoé Clauzure – Cœur: 92 points
2nd. Spain/Sandra Valero – Loviu: 86 points
3rd. Ukraine/Anastasia Dymyd – Kvitka: 83 points
4th. Germany/FIA: Ohne Worte: 74 points
5th. Netherlands/Sep & Jasmin – Holding On To You: 70 points
6th. Armenia/Yan Girls: Do It My Way: 64 points
7th. United Kingdom/STAND UNIQU3 – Back To Life: 58 points
8th. Poland/Maja Krzyżewska – I Just Need a Friend: 55 points
9th. Georgia/Anastasia & Ranina – Over The Sky: 53 points
10th. Albania/Viola Gjyzeli – Bota Ime: 45 points
11th. Portugal/Júlia Machado – Where I Belong: 45 points
12th. Italy/Melissa & Ranya – Un Mondo Giusto: 44 points
13th. Estonia/ARHANNA – Hoiame Kokku: 43 points
14th. Malta/Yulan – Stronger: 43 points
15th. North Macedonia/Tamara Grujeska – Kaži mi, kaži mi koj: 39 points
16th. Ireland/Jessica McKean: Aisling: 34 points
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