Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011

{{details|topic=the host city|Yerevan}}

{{location map+ |Europe |width=200 |float=left |caption=Locations of the known bidding countries. The eliminated countries are marked in red. The chosen host country is marked in blue.|places=

{{location map~|Europe |lat=59.329444 |long=18.068611 |label=Stockholm|position=left|mark=Red pog.svg}}

{{location map~|Europe |lat=40.181389 |long=44.514444 |label=Yerevan|position=left|mark=Blue pog.svg}}

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During the preparations to the 2010 contest, a series of speculations about the future of the contest began to circulate on the internet forums. On 18 October, during a head of delegations meeting held in Minsk, Belarus the head of the Armenian delegation, Diana Mnatsakanyan, announced that the upcoming eighth edition of the contest could be the last.{{cite web | url=https://ria.ru/20101018/286844638.html | title=В РФ сомневаются, что детское "Евровидение" в Минске станет последним | date=18 October 2010 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.interfax.by/article/71912|archive-url=https://webcitation.org/695055Ih1?url=http://www.interfax.by/article/71912|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-11|title=Детское «Евровидение-2010» в Минске станет последним в истории?|website=webcitation.org|date=21 October 2010|access-date=20 March 2024|language=be}} However, these rumours were formally denied on 19 November when the then executive supervisor of the contest, Svante Stockselius, announced that the next edition was scheduled for 2011 and that "We expect this contest to go on for many more years, this is not the last contest".{{Cite web|url=http://www.belta.by/culture/view/svante-stokselius-oproverg-sluhi-o-detskom-evrovidenii-2010-kak-poslednem-konkurse-138137-2010|title=Сванте Стокселиус опроверг слухи о детском "Евровидении-2010" как последнем конкурсе|date=November 19, 2010|website=www.belta.by|access-date=20 March 2024|language=be}}{{Cite web|url=https://junioreurovision.tv/story/ebu-junior-will-go-on-for-many-years|title=EBU: Junior will go on for many years|date=19 November 2010|website=junioreurovision.tv|access-date=20 March 2024}} Later, it was reported that the EBU were holding discussions with four potential host broadcasters, although further details were not confirmed and would "cautiously consider" to look for a host broadcaster for the 2012 contest at the same time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.belgovision.com/en/index_f.php?id=7134|title=EBU seeks hosts for Junior Eurovision 2011 and 2012|website=Belgovision.com|date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628201402/http://www.belgovision.com/en/index_f.php?id=7134 |via=web.archive.org|accessdate=August 10, 2024|archive-date=2018-06-28 }}{{better source needed|date=March 2024}}

Image:Մարզա-համերգային համալիր2.JPG in Yerevan, was the host venue for the contest.]]

Originally, unlike in the adult contest, the winning country did not receive the automatic rights to host the next contest but are instead awarded following a bidding process with broadcasters from the participating countries. However rumours suggested that given the lack of interest from other countries, the EBU could invite Armenia as the current winner to host the event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tert.am/en/news/2010/12/11/junior/220543|title=Hosting Junior Eurovision 2011 is a matter of funds for Armenia|website=www.tert.am|date=11 December 2010|access-date=20 March 2024|archive-date=20 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320135640/https://www.tert.am/en/news/2010/12/11/junior/220543|url-status=dead}} On 18 January 2011, Armenian national broadcaster ARMTV and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the 2011 contest would take place in the recently renovated main arena of the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex, in Yerevan.

{{quotation|Together with AMPTV, we are eager to put together the coolest Junior Eurovision Song Contest that Europe has seen so far. The event is extremely popular in Armenia and their strong bid gave us the confidence they will be capable to put together a great show.|Sietse Bakker|Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest}}

Denying rumours that Armenia was the only one interested in hosting, the chairman of the board of ARMTV, Aleksan Harutyunyan, revealed that Armenia was chosen among two shortlisted candidate countries out of the five which submitted bids.{{Cite web|url=https://a1plus.am/en/article/305861|title=Armenia to host Junior Eurovision 2011|access-date=20 March 2024|website=A1Plus}} Swedish broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT) had reportedly submitted a formal offer to host, proposing to hold the contest at the Globen Arena in Stockholm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.escplus.es/eurovision-junior/2024/svt-prepara-el-hello-mello-la-version-infantil-del-melodifestivalen-que-podria-devolver-a-suecia-a-eurovision-junior/|title=SVT prepara el Hello Mello, la versión infantil del Melodifestivalen que podría devolver a Suecia a Eurovisión Junior|first=José Miguel|last=Mancheño|work=ESCPlus España|date=March 10, 2024|accessdate=August 10, 2024|language=es}} The local television host and the leader of the project Gohar Gasparyan emphasized that "Although Armenia won Junior Eurovision 2010, Armenia’s victory in the selection was due only to our application and submitted proposals".{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20110118/323205150.html |title=Детское "Евровидение-2011" пройдет в Армении|date=18 January 2011|language=ru}}

File:JESC 2011 album cover.jpg

On 15 July, the EBU announced that 12 countries would compete in the upcoming contest. {{Esccnty|San Marino|Junior}} was to compete for the first time, with {{Esccnty|Latvia|Junior}}, {{Esccnty|Serbia|Junior}} and {{Esccnty|Malta|Junior}} withdrawing.{{Cite web |date=2011-07-15 |title=12 countries for Junior Eurovision 2011, several changes coming up |url=https://junioreurovision.tv/story/12-countries-for-junior-eurovision-2011-several-changes-coming-up |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=junioreurovision.tv |language=en}} EBU also had been negotiating with {{Esccnty|Italy|Junior}}{{cite web |date=July 2, 2011 |title=Italy in Junior Eurovision 2011? |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/02/italy-in-junior-eurovision-2011/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704132041/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/02/italy-in-junior-eurovision-2011/ |archive-date=July 4, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Oikotimes}} but RAI was not able to confirm their participation due to the shortage of time.{{cite web |date=July 16, 2011 |title=JESC 2011 with 12 countries, San Marino in! |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/16/jesc-2011-with-12-countries-san-marino-in/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905112932/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/16/jesc-2011-with-12-countries-san-marino-in/ |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Oikotimes}}

On 15 August, {{Esccnty|Bulgaria|Junior}} joined the list, returning after a two-year absence from the contest.{{cite web |date=August 16, 2011 |title=Confirmed: Bulgaria in JESC 2011 |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/08/16/confirmed-bulgaria-in-jesc-2011/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210211535/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/08/16/confirmed-bulgaria-in-jesc-2011/ |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=Oikotimes}} On 9 September, Latvia reversed its decision to withdraw from the contest and confirmed its participation.{{cite web |last=Siim |first=Jarmo |date=2011-09-09 |title=Latvia becomes 14th country to join Junior 2011 |url=http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=38353&_t=latvia_becomes_14th_country_to_join_junior_2011 |access-date=9 September 2011 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} On 7 October, San Marino announced that they would not be present in Yerevan as they were not able to find a suitable participant in time for the contest, hoping to send an entry to the 2012 edition.{{cite web |date=2011-10-07 |title=CONFIRMED: SAN MARINO OUT OF JESC 2011 |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/10/07/san-marino-out-of-jesc-2011/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905224326/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/10/07/san-marino-out-of-jesc-2011/ |archive-date=2012-09-05 |access-date=7 October 2011 |publisher=Oikotimes}} Therefore, a total of 13 countries took part in Armenia.{{cite web |date=October 11, 2011 |title=It's here: final running order of Junior 2011! |url=http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=38993&_t=its_here_final_running_order_of_junior_2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

Prior to the event, a digital compilation album featuring all the songs from the 2011 contest, along with karaoke versions, was put together by the European Broadcasting Union and released by Universal Music Group on 25 November 2011.{{cite web |date=23 November 2015 |title=Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 |url=https://music.apple.com/be/album/junior-eurovision-song-contest/713009571 |access-date=23 November 2015 |website=iTunes}}

Even though rules of Junior Eurovision do not allow participation of returning artists - EBU issued special permission for Russian entry 2011 performed by participant of Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Ekaterina Ryabova, which is first similar case in history of the contest. According to Sietse Bakker, EBU coordinator - EBU may also drop this rule completely, starting from 2012.{{cite web |title=JESC info |url=http://www.esckaz.com/jesc/2011/jesc.htm |publisher=ESCKaz}} Notably, Ekaterina had also already applied to national preselection in 2010 as well, but was disqualified following the existing rule.{{Cite web |title=Russia at Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 - Россия на Детском Евровидении 2011 |url=https://esckaz.com/jesc/2011/rus.htm |accessdate=Dec 14, 2022 |website=esckaz.com}}{{Better source needed|date=November 2021}}

On 15 November 2011, it was revealed that Gohar Gasparyan and Avet Barseghyan would be the hosts of the show.{{cite web |url=http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=40183&_t=yerevan_gohar_and_avet_to_host|title=Yerevan: Gohar and Avet to host|publisher=Junioreurovision.tv|date=15 November 2011|access-date=15 November 2011}}

In May 2011, ARMTV announced a competition for children to design the official logo of the contest, which was due to be presented on 1 June.{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/05/22/armtv-launch-2011-logo-competition/ |title=ARMTV launch 2011 logo competition |publisher=Oikotimes |date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905080131/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/05/22/armtv-launch-2011-logo-competition/ |archive-date=September 5, 2012 }} However, in the end the logo was designed by a professional teams from ARMTV, the EBU and Studio of Anton Baranov from Belarus, who also designed logo of Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2010 and was presented on 15 July 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/07/16/jesc-2011-reach-the-top/ |title=JESC 2011 logo: Reach for the top! |publisher=Oikotimes |date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2011 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The logo depicts equalizer bars in the shape of a mountain, hinting a toy version of the famous Mount Ararat.

The graphics were made by Guðmundur Þór Kárason, from Iceland, who previously worked on the Icelandic children's show LazyTown and was a photographer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://dziennik-eurowizyjny.pl/2020/05/23/dzis-wspolne-ogladanie-eurowizja-junior-2011-oraz-final-euroscorer-2020-spedz-sobotni-wieczor-z-eurowizja/|title=Dziś Wspólne Oglądanie Eurowizji Junior 2011 Oraz Finał Euroscorer 2020 • Spędź Sobotni Wieczór Z Eurowizją!|language=pl|date=23 June 2020|work=Dziennik Eurowizyjny|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608182518/https://dziennik-eurowizyjny.pl/2020/05/23/dzis-wspolne-ogladanie-eurowizja-junior-2011-oraz-final-euroscorer-2020-spedz-sobotni-wieczor-z-eurowizja/|archive-date=8 June 2020|url-status=live}} The postcards were produced and directed by him alongside Arthur Vardanyan.

{{quotation|The logo is vibrant, young and playful. The slogan "Reach For The Top" really reflects the ambition of the contestants, and hopefully inspires a young generation of Armenians to do the same.|Sietse Bakker|Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest}}

Changes to the voting included that televoting was possible after all songs had been performed, and not from the beginning of the show as in previous years – returning to the rules active in 2003–2005. Each country's spokesperson also announced all the points during their presentation, due to the lower number of participating countries, as it was done in 2003–2004.{{cite web|last=Siim|first=Jarmo|title=12 countries for Junior Eurovision 2011, several changes coming up|url=http://www.junioreurovision.tv/page/blog?id=37483&_t=12+countries+for+Junior+Eurovision+2011%2C+several+changes+coming+up|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=15 July 2011|date=2011-07-15}}

The event took place on 3 December 2011 at 21:30 AMT (19:30 CET). Thirteen countries participated, with the running order published on 11 October 2011. All the countries competing were eligible to vote with the jury and televote. Georgia won with 108 points, with the Netherlands and Belarus completing the top three.{{Cite web |date=2011-12-03 |title=CANDY from Georgia win Junior 2011! |url=https://junioreurovision.tv/story/candy-from-georgia-win-junior-2011 |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=junioreurovision.tv |language=en}} Ukraine, Macedonia and Latvia occupied the bottom three positions.{{cite web |title=Final of Yerevan 2011 |url=https://junioreurovision.tv/event/yerevan-2011/final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530102829/https://junioreurovision.tv/event/yerevan-2011/final |archive-date=30 May 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

The show was opened with a traditional dance performance. The interval included Molly Sanden performing "Spread a Little Light", whilst Sirusho performed a remixed version of "Qélé, Qélé" and last year's winner Vladimir Arzumanyan also took to the stage.{{Cite web |date=7 August 2020 |title=The saga of Molly Sandén: From Junior Eurovision to vocals for a movie |url=https://junioreurovision.tv/story/the-saga-of-molly-sanden |accessdate=14 December 2022 |website=junioreurovision.tv}}{{Cite web |last=Rossem |first=Aline van |date=21 October 2019 |title=🇦🇲 Junior Eurovision back in time: relive Yerevan 2011 |url=https://escxtra.com/2019/10/21/junior-eurovision-back-in-time-relive-yerevan-2011/ |accessdate=14 December 2022 |website=ESCXTRA.com}}

{{unreferenced section|date=December 2011}}

The order in which votes were cast during the 2011 contest along with the spokesperson who was responsible for announcing the votes for their respective country.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

1. {{esc|Russia|Junior}}{{snd}}Valentin Sadiki
2. {{esc|Latvia|Junior}}{{snd}}Šarlote Lēnmane
3. {{esc|Moldova|Junior}}{{snd}}Ștefan Roșcovan
4. {{esc|Armenia|Junior}}{{snd}}Razmik Arghajanyan
5. {{esc|Bulgaria|Junior}}{{snd}}Samuil Sarandev-Sancho
6. {{esc|Lithuania|Junior}}{{snd}}Dominykas Žvirblis
7. {{esc|Ukraine|Junior}}{{snd}}Amanda Koenig
8. {{esc|Macedonia|Junior}}{{snd}}Anja Veterova
9. {{esc|Netherlands|Junior}}{{snd}}Anna Lagerweij
10. {{Esc|Belarus|Junior|f=1995}}{{snd}}Anna Kovalyova
11. {{esc|Sweden|Junior}}{{snd}}Ina-Jane von Herff
12. {{esc|Georgia|Junior}}{{snd}}Elene Makashvili
13. {{esc|Belgium|Junior}}{{snd}}Jill & Lauren

{{div col end}}

Below is a summary of all 12 points received. All countries were given 12 points at the start of voting to ensure that no country finished with nul points; these 12 points were announced by a spokesperson from Australia.

== Broadcasts ==

Each national broadcaster sent a commentator to the contest, in order to provide coverage of the contest in their own native language. Details of the commentators and the broadcasting station for which they represented are also included in the table below.

• Eurovision Song Contest 2011

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.junioreurovision.tv/ Junior Eurovision Official Website]

{{Junior Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011}}

Category:2011 in Armenia

Category:21st century in Yerevan

Category:Events in Yerevan

Category:December 2011 in Europe