Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009: Difference between revisions

Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Country	Georgia
National selection
Selection process	National final
Selection date(s)	18 February 2009
Selected entrant	Stephane and 3G
Selected song	"We Don't Wanna Put In"
Selected songwriter(s)	Stephane Mgebrishvili; Bibi Kvachadze;
Finals performance
Final result	Withdrawn
Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest

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Georgia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "We Don't Wanna Put In" written by Stephane Mgebrishvili and Bibi Kvachadze. The song was performed by the group Stephane and 3G. The Georgian broadcaster Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of ten entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 18 February 2009. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by Stephane and 3G as the Georgian entry.

Georgia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 12 May 2009. However, on 11 March, GPB announced its withdrawal from the contest after "We Don't Wanna Put In" was rejected by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Background

Prior to the 2009 Contest, Georgia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest two times since their first entry in 2007.^[1] The nation's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been eleventh place, which was achieved in 2008 with the song "Peace Will Come" performed by Diana Gurtskaya. Following the introduction of semi-finals, Georgia has managed to qualify to the final on each occasion the nation has participated in.

The Georgian national broadcaster, Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB), broadcasts the event within Georgia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. Despite initially announcing on 28 August 2008 that the country would not participate in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in protest to host country Russia's foreign policies caused by the 2008 South Ossetia war (also known as the Russo-Georgian War), stating that they refuse to "participate in a contest organised by a country that violates human rights and international laws",^[2]^[3] the broadcaster ultimately confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2009 contest on 19 December 2008 following talks with the contest organisers and taking into account Georgia's victory at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008, in which Russia awarded top marks to the country.^[4]^[5]

Before Eurovision

National final

GPB opened a public submission from 22 January until 5 February 2009.^[6]^[7] 25 entries were received by the submission deadline and an expert commission selected the top ten songs from the received submissions, which were announced on 13 February 2009 and presented to the public via a special programme on 18 February 2009 at the GPB studios in Tbilisi, hosted by Nika Lomidze and broadcast on the GPB First Channel as well as online at the broadcaster's website 1tv.ge.^[8]^[9] The winner, "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by Stephane and 3G, was determined upon by the 50/50 combination of the votes of an expert jury headed by British producer Stephen Budd (70%) and a public televote (30%).^[10] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, 2008 Georgian Junior Eurovision winners Bzikebi performed as a guest.^[11]^[12]^[13]

Final – 18 February 2009
Draw	Artist	Song	Songwriter(s)	Place
1	Bachi Kitiashvili and Bermukha	"Khvalindeli dghe" (ხვალინდელი დღე)	Bachi Kitiashvili	—
2	November	"Over"	Davit Mchedlishvili, Giorgi Mukhigulashvili	—
3	Giorgi Maisuradze	"Peace in the World"	Giorgi Maisuradze, Dato Ugrekhelidze, Lika Kakiashvili	—
4	Tika Patsatsia	"Miracle"	Gorgi	—
5	Tony and Friends	"Hear My Plea"	Tony O'Malley	—
6	Nodiko Tatishvili	"No Sun When You Are Near"	Levan Jibladze, Bibi Kvachadze	—
7	Boris Bedia	"Dagvipharavs ghmerti" (დაგვიფარავს ღმერთი)	Merab Mamulashvili, Manana Gurgenidze	3
8	Stephane and 3G	"We Don't Wanna Put In"	Stephane Mgebrishvili, Bibi Kvachadze	1
9	Anri Jokhadze	"I"	Anri Jokhadze, Bibi Kvachadze	—
10	Keti Orjonikidze	"Hang Out"	Bachi Kitiashvili	2

Song controversy and withdrawal

The 2009 Georgian entry garnered international media exposure due to political connotations in its lyrics of the song "We Don't Wanna Put In". It was also reported that the song was ineligible to compete due to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) rules forbidding "lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature".^[14] Stephane and 3G's accented pronunciation of the words "put in" were noted as resembling the pronunciation of the surname of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin, and in the context of the previous year's 2008 South Ossetia war the song's lyrics were considered by some as a slight against Russia and Putin.^[15] GPB denied that the song was of a political nature, while the EBU refused to make a statement until the song was officially submitted to them.^[16] On 2 March, a protest against the song, organised by the Young Russia political group, was held in Moscow, Russia.^[17]

After "We Don't Wanna Put In" had been submitted to the EBU, on 10 March, GPB was requested to either re-write the lyrics of the song or select a new entry after it was deemed that the song's lyrics did not comply with the rules of the contest regarding political connotations.^[18]^[19]^[20] On 11 March, the broadcaster announced Georgia's withdrawal from the contest after they refused to change the song lyrics citing the EBU being "under unprecedented Russian pressure" (although no evidence of pressure being applied has been provided).^[21]^[22]^[23] The country's withdrawal was confirmed on 16 March during the running order draw.^[24]^[25] Georgia was set to perform in the first semi-final, to be held on 12 May 2009.

References

^ "Georgia Country Profile". EBU. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
^ Tongeren, Mario van (2008-08-28). "GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
^ Viniker, Barry (2008-08-28). "Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-08-28.
^ Konstantopoulos, Fotis (2008-12-19). "Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
^ Floras, Stella (2008-12-19). "Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
^ Klier, Marcus (2009-01-22). "Georgia: national final on 18th February". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
^ "Georgia: National final on February 18". Oikotimes. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
^ Brey, Marco (2009-01-22). "Georgia: National final on February 18th". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
^ Klier, Marcus (18 February 2009). "Tonight: National final in Georgia". Esctoday. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
^ Georgia Sends ‘Protest Song’ to Moscow Eurovision. Civil Georgia. February 19, 2009
^ Brey, Marco (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow". EBU. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
^ Marcus, Klier (2009-02-18). "Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
^ Fisher, Luke (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-18.
^ Lewis, Daniel (2009-03-10). "Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
^ "Georgians pull out of Eurovision over 'Put in' jab". International Herald Tribune. Tbilisi. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
^ "Putin jibe picked for Eurovision". BBC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
^ Gudim, Laura (2009-03-02). "Russian political rally against Georgian song". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
^ Bakker, Sietse (2009-03-10). "Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules". EBU. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
^ Viniker, Barry (2009-03-10). "EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
^ Eurovision axes 'anti-Putin' song
^ Lewis, Daniel (2009-02-19). "Грузинская сторона не будет менять текст "аморальной" песни для "Евровидения"". NEWSru. Retrieved 2009-02-23.
^ Georgia pulls out of Eurovision after controversial song is banned. The Daily Telegraph. 12 March 2009
^ Kozlov, Vladimir (12 March 2009). "Georgia's Eurovision entry exits over lyric". Hollywood Reporter. Moscow. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
^ "Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song". 2009-03-11. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
^ Shegrikyan, Zaven (2009-03-11). "Georgia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2009". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-11.

[1] "Georgia Country Profile". EBU. Retrieved 20 November 2014.

[2] Tongeren, Mario van (2008-08-28). "GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06. Retrieved 2008-08-28.

[3] Viniker, Barry (2008-08-28). "Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-08-28.

[4] Konstantopoulos, Fotis (2008-12-19). "Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2008-12-21. Retrieved 2008-12-19.

[5] Floras, Stella (2008-12-19). "Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday. Retrieved 2008-12-19.

[6] Klier, Marcus (2009-01-22). "Georgia: national final on 18th February". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

[7] "Georgia: National final on February 18". Oikotimes. 2009-01-22. Archived from the original on 2009-01-30. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

[8] Brey, Marco (2009-01-22). "Georgia: National final on February 18th". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

[9] Klier, Marcus (18 February 2009). "Tonight: National final in Georgia". Esctoday. Retrieved 20 March 2021.

[10] Georgia Sends ‘Protest Song’ to Moscow Eurovision. Civil Georgia. February 19, 2009

[Georgia2009ref1-11] Brey, Marco (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow". EBU. Retrieved 2009-02-18.

[Georgia2009ref2-12] Marcus, Klier (2009-02-18). "Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-02-18.

[Georgia2009ref3-13] Fisher, Luke (2009-02-18). "Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-18.

[14] Lewis, Daniel (2009-03-10). "Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

[iht110309-15] "Georgians pull out of Eurovision over 'Put in' jab". International Herald Tribune. Tbilisi. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-16.

[16] "Putin jibe picked for Eurovision". BBC. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

[17] Gudim, Laura (2009-03-02). "Russian political rally against Georgian song". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

[lyrics1-18] Bakker, Sietse (2009-03-10). "Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules". EBU. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

[lyrics2-19] Viniker, Barry (2009-03-10). "EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-10.

[bbc-20] Eurovision axes 'anti-Putin' song

[21] Lewis, Daniel (2009-02-19). "Грузинская сторона не будет менять текст "аморальной" песни для "Евровидения"". NEWSru. Retrieved 2009-02-23.

[22] Georgia pulls out of Eurovision after controversial song is banned. The Daily Telegraph. 12 March 2009

[23] Kozlov, Vladimir (12 March 2009). "Georgia's Eurovision entry exits over lyric". Hollywood Reporter. Moscow. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 2009-03-16.

[Georgia_out_1-24] "Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song". 2009-03-11. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-11.

[Georgia_out_2-25] Shegrikyan, Zaven (2009-03-11). "Georgia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2009". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-11.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|none}}
-{{ESC National Year
+{{Infobox song contest national year
 | Year                   = 2009
 | Country                = Georgia
-| Preselection           = National Final
+| Preselection           = National final
 | Preselection date      = 18 February 2009
-| Entrant                = [[Stefane & 3G]]
+| Entrant                = [[Stephane & 3G|Stephane and 3G]]
-| Song                   = [[We Don't Wanna Put In]]
+| Song                   = We Don't Wanna Put In
-| SF result              =
+| Writer                 = {{unbulleted list|Stephane Mgebrishvili|Bibi Kvachadze}}
 | Final result           = ''Withdrawn''
 }}
+[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] originally planned to participate in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]] with the song "We Don't Wanna Put In" written by Stephane Mgebrishvili and Bibi Kvachadze. The song was performed by the group [[Stephane & 3G|Stephane and 3G]]. The Georgian broadcaster [[Georgian Public Broadcaster]] (GPB) held a national final in order to select the Georgian entry for the 2009 contest in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]. An open call for submissions was held which resulted in the shortlisting of ten entries that were presented to the public during a televised production on 18 February 2009. The results of a public televote combined with the votes of an expert jury resulted in the selection of "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by Stephane and 3G as the Georgian entry.
-'''Georgia''', and its broadcaster [[Georgian Public Broadcaster]] (GPB), announced in August 2008 that it would be withdrawing from the '''Eurovision Song Contest 2009''' in [[Moscow]], [[Russia]].  The country later returned to the contest in December 2008, and planned for its third entry at the contest.
+Georgia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 12 May 2009. However, on 11 March, GPB announced its withdrawal from the contest after "We Don't Wanna Put In" was rejected by the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) for perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]].
-After a national final was held on 18 February, the third Georgian entry for Eurovision was decided to be [[Stefane & 3G]] with "[[We Don't Wanna Put In]]".<ref name="Georgia2009ref1">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1930|title=Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2009-02-18|publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]|access-date=2009-02-18}}</ref><ref name="Georgia2009ref2">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13290|title=Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision|last=Marcus|first=Klier|date=2009-02-18|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-02-18}}</ref><ref name="Georgia2009ref3">{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|title=Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2009-02-18|publisher=Oikotimes|access-date=2009-02-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105049/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|archive-date=2009-02-21}}</ref> The song however was rejected by the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU), and could not compete in the contest in its current form due to perceived political connotations in its lyrics.<ref name="lyrics1">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1993|title=Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=2009-03-10|publisher=EBU|access-date=2009-03-10}}</ref><ref name="lyrics2">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13485|title=EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-10}}</ref> On 11 March, Georgia announced its withdrawal from the contest in response to the EBU's rejection.<ref name="Georgia out 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iV0CS9I_QWMy_YqSCquJq1bimjyg|title=Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song|date=2009-03-11|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref><ref name="Georgia out 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13491|title=Georgia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2009|last=Shegrikyan|first=Zaven|date=2009-03-11|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref>
+== Background ==
+{{main|Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
+Prior to the 2009 Contest, Georgia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest two times since their first entry in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Georgia Country Profile|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=50|access-date=20 November 2014|publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]}}</ref> The nation's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been eleventh place, which was achieved in [[Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008|2008]] with the song "Peace Will Come" performed by [[Diana Gurtskaya]]. Following the [[Semi-finals in the Eurovision Song Contest|introduction of semi-finals]], Georgia has managed to qualify to the final on each occasion the nation has participated in.
+The Georgian national broadcaster, [[Georgian Public Broadcaster]] (GPB), broadcasts the event within Georgia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. Despite initially announcing on 28 August 2008 that the country would not participate in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in protest to host country [[Russia]]'s foreign policies caused by the [[2008 South Ossetia war]] (also known as the Russo-Georgian War), stating that they refuse to "participate in a contest organised by a country that violates human rights and international laws",<ref>{{cite web|author=Tongeren, Mario van|date=2008-08-28|title=GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184008/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987|archive-date=2008-09-06|access-date=2008-08-28|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-08-28|title=Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12233|access-date=2008-08-28|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref> the broadcaster ultimately confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2009 contest on 19 December 2008 following talks with the contest organisers and taking into account Georgia's victory at the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008]], in which Russia awarded top marks to the country.<ref>{{cite web|last=Konstantopoulos|first=Fotis|date=2008-12-19|title=Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221142448/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615|archive-date=2008-12-21|access-date=2008-12-19|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2008-12-19|title=Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12749|access-date=2008-12-19|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref>
 == Before Eurovision ==
-=== Withdrawal and return ===
-Georgia's broadcaster, [[Georgian Public Broadcaster]] (GPB), originally announced in August 2008 that they would not be participating at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 due to the [[2008 South Ossetia war]], involving Georgia and Eurovision 2009 host Russia, and in protest to Russia's foreign policies. GPB went on to say that they refuse to "participate in a contest organised by a country that violates human rights and international laws".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987 |title=GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009 |author=Tongeren, Mario van |date=2008-08-28 |publisher=Oikotimes |access-date=2008-08-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184008/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987 |archive-date=2008-09-06 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12233|title=Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-08-28|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2008-08-28}}</ref> GPB later reversed their decision to boycott the contest in December 2008. This was after talks between GPB and the contest organisers, the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU), as well as the victory for Georgia at the [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008]], in which Russia gave their top marks to Georgia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615 |title=Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009 |last=Konstantopoulos |first=Fotis |date=2008-12-19 |publisher=Oikotimes |access-date=2008-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221142448/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615 |archive-date=2008-12-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12749|title=Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2008-12-19|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2008-12-19}}</ref> In February 2009, an online campaign "Boycott MoscowVision" emerged calling on the public broadcaster not to participate in the contest.<ref>[http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=20447 Georgia Sends ‘Protest Song’ to Moscow Eurovision]. [[Civil Georgia]]. February 19, 2009</ref>
 === National final ===
+GPB opened a public submission from 22 January until 5 February 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: national final on 18th February|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13002|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: National final on February 18|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4882|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130035251/http://oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4882|archive-date=2009-01-30|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref> 25 entries were received by the submission deadline and an expert commission selected the top ten songs from the received submissions, which were announced on 13 February 2009 and presented to the public via a special programme on 18 February 2009 at the GPB studios in [[Tbilisi]], hosted by Nika Lomidze and broadcast on the [[First Channel (Georgian TV channel)|GPB First Channel]] as well as online at the broadcaster's website ''1tv.ge''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: National final on February 18th|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1836|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=Eurovision.tv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=18 February 2009|title=Tonight: National final in Georgia|url=http://esctoday.com/13280/tonight_national_final_in_georgia-2/|access-date=20 March 2021|website=Esctoday}}</ref> The winner, "We Don't Wanna Put In" performed by [[Stephane & 3G|Stephane and 3G]], was determined upon by the 50/50 combination of the votes of an expert jury headed by British producer [[Stephen Budd]] (70%) and a public televote (30%).<ref>[http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=20447 Georgia Sends ‘Protest Song’ to Moscow Eurovision]. [[Civil Georgia]]. February 19, 2009</ref> In addition to the performances of the competing entries, [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008|2008 Georgian Junior Eurovision winners]] [[Bzikebi]] performed as a guest.<ref name="Georgia2009ref1">{{cite web|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2009-02-18|title=Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1930|access-date=2009-02-18|publisher=[[European Broadcasting Union|EBU]]}}</ref><ref name="Georgia2009ref2">{{cite web|last=Marcus|first=Klier|date=2009-02-18|title=Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13290|access-date=2009-02-18|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref name="Georgia2009ref3">{{cite web|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2009-02-18|title=Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105049/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|archive-date=2009-02-21|access-date=2009-02-18|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref>
-The Georgian national final took place on 18 February 2009 at the GPB studios in [[Tbilisi]], hosted by Nika Lomidze. Ten acts competed and a jury and public vote selected the winner. The show was broadcast on [[Georgian Public Broadcaster|1 TV GPB]] as well as online at the broadcaster's website ''1tv.ge''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=18 February 2009|title=Tonight: National final in Georgia|url=http://esctoday.com/13280/tonight_national_final_in_georgia-2/|url-status=live|access-date=20 March 2021|website=Esctoday}}</ref>
-==== Competing entries ====
-GPB announced that a public submission would be opened from 22 January 2009 until 5 February 2009. Both artists and composers could be of any nationality.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: National final on February 18th|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1836|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=Eurovision.tv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: national final on 18th February|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13002|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2009-01-22|title=Georgia: National final on February 18|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4882|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130035251/http://oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4882|archive-date=2009-01-30|access-date=2009-01-22|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref> 25 entries were received by the submission deadline and an expert commission selected the top ten entries from the received submissions. The competing entries were announced on 13 February 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hondal|first=Victor|date=2009-02-06|title=Georgia: List of ten finalists announced|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13172|access-date=2009-02-06|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Konstantopoulos|first=Fotis|date=2009-02-06|title=Georgia: GPB announce participants for national final|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5031|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519063302/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5031|archive-date=2009-05-19|access-date=2009-02-06|publisher=Oikotimes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Laufer|first=Gil|date=2009-02-13|title=Georgia: Listen to the Eurovision hopefuls|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13229|access-date=2009-02-13|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref>
-==== Final ====
-The final took place on 18 February 2009. Ten entries competed and the winner, "[[We Don't Wanna Put In]]" performed by [[Stefane & 3G]], was determined upon by the combination of the votes of an expert jury headed by British producer [[Stephen Budd]] (70%) and a public SMS vote (30%). In addition to the performances of the competing entries, [[Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008|2008 Georgian Junior Eurovision winners]] [[Bzikebi]] performed as a guest.<ref name="Georgia2009ref1" /><ref name="Georgia2009ref2" /><ref name="Georgia2009ref3" />
 {| class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
 |+ Final – 18 February 2009
+|-
-|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
 ! Draw
 ! Artist
 ! Song
-! Composer(s)
+! Songwriter(s)
 ! Place
 |-
 | 1
-| align="left" | Bachi Kitiashvili & Bermukha
+| align="left" | Bachi Kitiashvili and Bermukha
-| align="left" | "Khvalindeli dghe"
+| align="left" | "Khvalindeli dghe" <small>({{lang|ka|ხვალინდელი დღე}})</small>
 | align="left" | Bachi Kitiashvili
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 2
 | align="left" | November
-| align="left" |"Over"
+| align="left" | "Over"
-| align="left" |Davit Mchedlishvili, Giorgi Mukhigulashvili
+| align="left" | Davit Mchedlishvili, Giorgi Mukhigulashvili
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 3
@@ Line 51: / Line 49: @@
 | align="left" | "Peace in the World"
 | align="left" | Giorgi Maisuradze, Dato Ugrekhelidze, Lika Kakiashvili
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 4
 | align="left" | [[Tika Patsatsia]]
 | align="left" | "Miracle"
-| align="left" |[[Georgios Kalpakidis|Gorgi]]
+| align="left" | [[Georgios Kalpakidis|Gorgi]]
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 5
-| align="left" | Tony & Friends
+| align="left" | Tony and Friends
-| align="left" |"Hear My Plea"
+| align="left" | "Hear My Plea"
 | align="left" | Tony O'Malley
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 6
@@ Line 69: / Line 67: @@
 | align="left" | "No Sun When You Are Near"
 | align="left" | Levan Jibladze, Bibi Kvachadze
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 7
 | align="left" | Boris Bedia
-| align="left" | "Dagvipharavs ghmerti"
+| align="left" | "Dagvipharavs ghmerti" <small>({{lang|ka|დაგვიფარავს ღმერთი}})</small>
 | align="left" | Merab Mamulashvili, Manana Gurgenidze
 | 3
-|- bgcolor="gold"
+|- style="font-weight:bold; background:gold;"
-|'''8'''
+| 8
-| align="left" |'''[[Stefane & 3G]]'''
+| align="left" | [[Stephane & 3G|Stephane and 3G]]
-| align="left" |'''"[[We Don't Wanna Put In]]"'''
+| align="left" | "We Don't Wanna Put In"
-| align="left" |'''Stefane Mgebrishvili, Bibi Kvachadze'''
+| align="left" | Stephane Mgebrishvili, Bibi Kvachadze
-|'''1'''
+| 1
 |-
 | 9
-| align="left" |[[Anri Jokhadze]]
+| align="left" | [[Anri Jokhadze]]
 | align="left" | "I"
-| align="left" |Anri Jokhadze, Bibi Kvachadze
+| align="left" | [[Anri Jokhadze]], Bibi Kvachadze
+| data-sort-value="4" | —
-|—
 |-
 | 10
 | align="left" | Keti Orjonikidze
-| align="left" |"Hang Out"
+| align="left" | "Hang Out"
 | align="left" | Bachi Kitiashvili
 | 2
@@ Line 97: / Line 95: @@
 ==Song controversy and withdrawal==
-Shortly after "We Don't Wanna Put In" was selected, the song received widespread coverage due to political connotations in its lyrics. The song, a jab at Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]], gained news coverage in countries around Europe, however the song was rumoured to be ineligible to compete, due to rules forbidding "lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13296|title=Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy|last=Lewis|first=Daniel|date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-10}}</ref> A spokesperson for GPB denied that the song was of a political nature, and the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU), the organisers of the contest, refused to make a statement until the song was officially submitted to them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7899014.stm|title=Putin jibe picked for Eurovision |date=2009-02-19|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=2009-03-10}}</ref> A protest was held in Moscow over the song on 2 March 2009, organised by the Young Russia political group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13420|title=Russian political rally against Georgian song|last=Gudim|first=Laura|date=2009-03-02|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-10}}</ref>
+The 2009 Georgian entry garnered international media exposure due to political connotations in its lyrics of the song "We Don't Wanna Put In". It was also reported that the song was ineligible to compete due to the [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU) rules forbidding "lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature".<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Daniel|date=2009-03-10|title=Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13296|access-date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref> Stephane and 3G's accented pronunciation of the words "put in" were noted as resembling the pronunciation of the surname of Russian prime minister [[Vladimir Putin]], and in the context of the previous year's [[2008 South Ossetia war]] the song's lyrics were considered by some as a slight against Russia and Putin.<ref name="iht110309">{{cite news|date=11 March 2009|title=Georgians pull out of Eurovision over 'Put in' jab|newspaper=[[International Herald Tribune]]|location=[[Tbilisi]]|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/11/arts/EU-Georgia-Eurovision.php|access-date=2009-03-16}}</ref> GPB denied that the song was of a political nature, while the EBU refused to make a statement until the song was officially submitted to them.<ref>{{cite web|date=2009-02-19|title=Putin jibe picked for Eurovision|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7899014.stm|access-date=2009-03-10|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> On 2 March, a protest against the song, organised by the [[Young Russia (youth movement)|Young Russia]] political group, was held in [[Moscow]], Russia.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gudim|first=Laura|date=2009-03-02|title=Russian political rally against Georgian song|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13420|access-date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref>
-On 10 March, the EBU told GPB that the song's lyrics did not comply with the rules of the contest, and asked them to either re-write the lyrics of the song, or select another to compete.<ref name="lyrics1" /><ref name="lyrics2" />
-On 11 March, GPB announced that it would not change the lyrics of the song, or the song itself, saying that it does not have political connotations within its lyrics, and perceiving the EBU's rejection of the song as political pressure from Russia. The country therefore withdrew from the contest.<ref name="Georgia out 1" /><ref name="Georgia out 2" /> Confirmation of the withdrawal given, when the running order was announced on 16 March, and Georgia was not included.
-Georgia was to compete in the first semi-final on 12 May 2009.
+After "We Don't Wanna Put In" had been submitted to the EBU, on 10 March, GPB was requested to either re-write the lyrics of the song or select a new entry after it was deemed that the song's lyrics did not comply with the rules of the contest regarding political connotations.<ref name="lyrics1">{{cite web|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=2009-03-10|title=Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1993|access-date=2009-03-10|publisher=EBU}}</ref><ref name="lyrics2">{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2009-03-10|title=EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13485|access-date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref><ref name="bbc">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7935865.stm Eurovision axes 'anti-Putin' song]</ref> On 11 March, the broadcaster announced Georgia's withdrawal from the contest after they refused to change the song lyrics citing the EBU being "under unprecedented Russian pressure" (although no evidence of pressure being applied has been provided).<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|first=Daniel|date=2009-02-19|title=Грузинская сторона не будет менять текст "аморальной" песни для "Евровидения"|url=http://newsru.com/cinema/20feb2009/song.html|access-date=2009-02-23|publisher=[[NEWSru]]}}</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/georgia/4974502/Georgia-pulls-out-of-Eurovision-after-controversial-song-is-banned.html Georgia pulls out of Eurovision after controversial song is banned]. [[The Daily Telegraph]]. 12 March 2009</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kozlov|first=Vladimir|date=12 March 2009|title=Georgia's Eurovision entry exits over lyric|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3iffcfe0c0b0255a5af13dae47afe1ddcc|url-status=dead|magazine=Hollywood Reporter|location=[[Moscow]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125155023/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3iffcfe0c0b0255a5af13dae47afe1ddcc|archive-date=25 January 2013|access-date=2009-03-16}}</ref> The country's withdrawal was confirmed on 16 March during the running order draw.<ref name="Georgia out 1">{{cite web|date=2009-03-11|title=Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iV0CS9I_QWMy_YqSCquJq1bimjyg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313070937/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iV0CS9I_QWMy_YqSCquJq1bimjyg|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 13, 2009|access-date=2009-03-11}}</ref><ref name="Georgia out 2">{{cite web|last=Shegrikyan|first=Zaven|date=2009-03-11|title=Georgia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2009|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13491|access-date=2009-03-11|publisher=ESCToday}}</ref> Georgia was set to perform in the first semi-final, to be held on 12 May 2009.
-Following that dispute, GPB did not even broadcast the 2009 contest, but Georgia returned to the 2010 contest, which was held in the Norwegian capital [[Oslo]] and won by Germany.
-== See also ==
+==See also==
+* [[Georgia–Russia relations]]
-* [[Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest]]
-* [[Eurovision Song Contest 2009]]
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-{{Georgia in Eurovision}}
+{{Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
 {{Eurovision Song Contest 2009}}
 [[Category:Georgia (country) in the Eurovision Song Contest|2009]]
-[[Category:2009 in Georgia (country)|Eurovision]]
 [[Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009]]
+[[Category:2009 in Georgia (country) television|Eurovision]]

v t e Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Georgian Idol The Voice Georgia
Participation	2007 2008 ~~2009~~ 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 ~~2020~~ 2021 2022 2023 2024
Artists	Nutsa Buzaladze Circus Mircus Eldrine Tamara Gachechiladze Sophie Gelovani Diana Gurtskaya Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao Iru Anri Jokhadze Sopho Khalvashi Tornike Kipiani Nika Kocharov Mariko Oto Nemsadze Sofia Nizharadze The Shin ~~Stephane and 3G~~ Nina Sublatti Nodi Tatishvili Young Georgian Lolitaz
Songs	"Echo" "Firefighter" "For You" "I'm a Joker" "Keep On Going" "Keep the Faith" "Lock Me In" "Midnight Gold" "One More Day" "Peace Will Come" "Shine" ~~"Take Me as I Am"~~ "Three Minutes to Earth" "Visionary Dream" "Warrior" "Waterfall" ~~"We Don't Wanna Put In"~~ "You"
Note: Entries scored out signify where Georgia did not compete