Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2000
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox song contest national year
| Year = 2000
| Broadcaster = Latvian Television (LTV)
| Country = Latvia
| Selection process = {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}} 2000
| Selection date = 26 February 2000
| Song = My Star
| Artist = Brainstorm
| Writer = Renārs Kaupers
| writer_single = y
| Final result = 3rd, 136 points
}}
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "My Star", written by Renārs Kaupers, and performed with his band Brainstorm. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvian Television (LTV), organised the national final {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}} 2000 in order to select its entry for the contest. This was the first-ever entry from Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ten songs were selected to compete in the national final on 26 February 2000 where a public televote and a fourteen-member jury panel selected "My Star" performed by Brainstorm as the winner.
Latvia competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 13 May 2000. Performing during the show in position 21, Latvia placed third out of the 24 participating countries, scoring 136 points.
Background
{{main|Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
On 15 December 1999, the Latvian national broadcaster, Latvian Television (LTV), confirmed its intentions to debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in its {{escyr|2000||2000 edition}}.{{cite web |url=http://periodika.lv/viewerOpener?id=43884379&isArticle=true&query=Eirov%C4%ABzijas%20|title=Dažos vārdos |date= 15 December 1999|website= Baltic News Service|publisher= |access-date= 23 November 2022|quote=}}{{cite news |title=Песня на экспорт|date=16 December 1999|work= Biznes & Baltiya|issue=242 (1372) |language=ru }} That decision was motivated by the participation of the broadcasters from {{esccnty|Estonia}} and {{esccnty|Lithuania}} as well as having received sufficient funds for participation through sponsorships.{{Cite web |title=Eirovīzijas dziesmu konkursa nacionālā atlase |url=http://www.diva.lv/video/eirovizijas-dziesmu-konkursa-nacionala-atlase?access=All |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=diva.lv |language=lv}} LTV had previously planned to debut at the contest in 1993 and 1999; the latter year it withdrew its application due to financial problems.{{cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2020 |publisher=Telos Publishing |location=Prestatyn |isbn=978-1-84583-163-9 |volume=Four: The 1990s |page=131}}{{cite web | url=https://eurovision.tv/event/jerusalem-1999 | title=Jerusalem 1999 }} LTV had broadcast the {{escyr|1998}} and {{escyr|1999}} contests in the country. Along with the participation confirmation, the broadcaster confirmed that its entry for the 2000 contest would be selected through the national selection show {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}}.
Before Eurovision
= {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}} ''2000'' =
To select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000, LTV hosted a national final, entitled {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}} 2000, on 26 February 2000 at its television studios in Zaķusala, Riga. The national final was hosted by Dita Torstere and broadcast on LTV1.{{Cite web |title=Eirovīzijas dziesmu konkursa 2000 nacionālā atlase (2000-04-08) |url=http://www.diva.lv/eirovizijas-dziesmu-konkursa-2000-nacionala-atlase-2000-04-08 |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=diva.lv |language=lv}}{{Cite web |title=45. Starptautiskais Eirovīzijas dziesmu festivāls |url=http://www.ltv.lv:80/Default.htm |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=LTV |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000226084919/http://www.ltv.lv:80/Default.htm |archive-date=26 February 2000 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Будет объявлена песня, которая представит Латвию на конкурсе Евровидение|date=26 February 2000|work= Baltic News Service|location=Riga, Latvia|language=ru }} Prior to the event, LTV opened a submissions window for interested artists and composers to submit their songs for consideration, by the close of which, 67 songs were submitted and 14 performers applied for the contest; twelve competing entries were then selected for the competition.{{Cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=17 November 2003 |title=69 songs for Latvian national final 2004 |url=http://esctoday.com/1930/69_songs_for_latvian_national_final_2004/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |website=Esctoday}}{{Cite web |date=11 January 2000 |title=Eirovīzijas dziesmu festivālam pieteiktas 60 dziesmas |url=https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/music/eirovizijas-dziesmu-festivalam-pieteiktas-60-dziesmas.d?id=14383 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=delfi.lv |language=lv}}{{Cite web |date=14 January 2000 |title=12 dziesmas cīnīsies par tiesībām piedalīties Eirovīzijas festivālā |url=https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/music/12-dziesmas-cinisies-par-tiesibam-piedalities-eirovizijas-festivala.d?id=16663 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=delfi.lv |language=lv}} Two songs were later disqualified prior to the competition.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2000 |title=Pauls un Račs atsauc savu dziesmu no Latvijas fināla Eirovīzijas konkursam |url=https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/art/pauls-un-racs-atsauc-savu-dziesmu-no-latvijas-finala-eirovizijas-konkursam.d?id=30808 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=delfi.lv |language=lv}} Ten remaining entries competed with the winning song determined by the combination of votes from a jury panel and public televoting.{{Cite web |title=Žūrijas komisijas vērtējums |url=http://www.ltv.lv:80/bildes-jaunumi/TABULA.htm |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=LTV |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000621033316/http://www.ltv.lv:80/bildes-jaunumi/TABULA.htm |archive-date=21 June 2000 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title=Наш человек на Евровидении|date= 28 February 2000|work= Chas|volume= 49|issue=771 |language=ru }} At the close of voting, "My Star" performed by Brainstorm received the most votes and was selected as the Latvian entry.{{cite web | url=https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/art/latviju-eirovizijas-festivala-parstaves-kaupera-dziesma-my-star.d?id=44343 | title=Latviju Eirovīzijas festivālā pārstāvēs Kaupera dziesma 'My Star' | date=28 February 2000 }}{{cite web |url=http://periodika.lv/viewerOpener?id=7083946&isArticle=true&query=Uz%20Eirov%C4%ABzijas%20festiv%C4%81lu%20|title=Uz Eirovīzijas festivālu!|author=Aina Muchka Kalniņa|date= 25 March 2000|website= Brīvā Latvija|publisher= |access-date= 23 November 2022|quote=}} In addition to the performances of the competing entries, Feliks Kigelis, Linga, Liga Robezniece and Quentin Elias performed as special guests.
| class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
|+ |
| rowspan="2" | Draw
! rowspan="2" | Artist ! rowspan="2" | Song ! rowspan="2" | Jury ! colspan="2" | Televote ! rowspan="2" | Total ! rowspan="2" | Place |
|---|
| Votes
!Points |
| 1
| align="left" | Marija Naumova | align="left" | "For You My Friends" |106 |95 |8 | 114 | 2 |
| 2
| align="left" | Yana Kay | align="left" | "Waterfall" |80 |6 |1 | 81 | 6 |
| 3
| align="left" | Jānis Stībelis | align="left" | "I Will Return" |58 |31 |4 | 62 | 8 |
| 4
| align="left" | Dace Pūce, Aigars Grāvers and Arnis Heidermanis | align="left" | "Tāda zeme" |62 |37 |5 | 67 | 7 |
| 5
| align="left" | Arnis Mednis | align="left" | "Everyday in Circle" |75 |53 |7 | 82 | 5 |
| 6
| align="left" | Madara Celma | align="left" | "Close to You" |47 |18 |2 | 49 | 10 |
| style="font-weight:bold;background:gold;"
| 7 | align="left" | Brainstorm | align="left" | "My Star" |135 |227 |12 | 147 | 1 |
| 8
| align="left" | Linda Leen | align="left" | "Let's Go Insane" |102 |55 |6 | 108 | 4 |
| 9
| align="left" | Agnese | align="left" | "Knowing Love and Loss" |48 |15 |3 | 51 | 9 |
| 10
| align="left" | Yana Kay | align="left" | "Set My Heart on Fire" |99 |202 |10 | 109 | 3 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2" | Draw
! rowspan="2" | Song ! colspan="4" | Musicians ! colspan="4" | International ! colspan="3" | Media ! colspan="3" | Cultural ! rowspan="2" | Total |
|---|
| {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 1}}
! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 2}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 3}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 4}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 1}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 2}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 3}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 4}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 1}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 2}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 3}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 1}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 2}} ! {{vert header|nb=1|Juror 3}} |
| 1
| align="left" | "For You My Friends" |10 |6 | 3 |7 |3 |10 |10 | 6 |8 |6 | 12 |10 |10 | 5 | 106 |
| 2
| align="left" | "Waterfall" |7 |7 | 2 |3 |7 |8 |5 | 10 |6 |4 | 8 |7 |4 | 2 | 80 |
| 3
| align="left" | "I Will Return" |6 |5 | 10 |2 |5 |2 |4 | 3 |4 |5 | 4 |4 |3 | 1 | 58 |
| 4
| align="left" | "Tāda zeme" |5 |3 | 6 |4 |2 |3 |1 | 4 |3 |10 | 3 |6 |5 | 7 | 62 |
| 5
| align="left" | "Everyday in Circle" |4 |4 | 1 |6 |1 |4 |3 | 7 |5 |8 | 5 |5 |12 | 10 | 75 |
| 6
| align="left" | "Close to You" |3 |2 | 4 |1 |6 |5 |2 | 2 |2 |3 | 6 |2 |1 | 8 | 47 |
| 7
| align="left" | "My Star" |12 |8 | 12 |12 |4 |12 |8 | 8 |10 |7 | 10 |12 |8 | 12 | 135 |
| 8
| align="left" | "Let's Go Insane" |8 |12 | 5 |8 |8 |7 |7 | 5 |12 |12 | 7 |3 |2 | 6 | 102 |
| 9
| align="left" | "Knowing Love and Loss" |2 |1 | 8 |5 |10 |1 |6 | 1 |1 |2 | 1 |1 |6 | 3 | 48 |
| 10
| align="left" | "Set My Heart on Fire" |1 |10 | 7 |10 |12 |6 |12 | 12 |7 |1 | 2 |8 |7 | 4 | 99 |
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+ {{nowrap|Members of the Jury}}{{Cite web |title=Žūrijas komisija |url=http://www.ltv.lv/bildes-jaunumi/zurija.htm |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=LTV |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000621094157/http://www.ltv.lv/bildes-jaunumi/zurija.htm |archive-date=21 June 2000 |url-status=dead}} |
| Jury
! Members |
|---|
| Musicians
|
|
| International members
|
|
| Media representatives
|
|
| Cultural workers
|
|
At Eurovision
File:Globen 30 år, febr 2019a.jpg in Stockholm, Sweden, on 13 May 2000.]]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 took place at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on 13 May 2000.{{cite web | url=https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000 | title=Stockholm 2000 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|access-date=30 September 2022}} According to the Eurovision rules, the 24-country participant list for the contest was composed of: the previous year's winning country and host nation {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2000}}, "Big Four" countries, the thirteen countries, which had obtained the highest average points total over the preceding five contests, and any eligible countries which did not compete in the 1999 contest.{{cite web |title=Rules of the 45th Eurovision Song Contest, 2000 |url=http://www.myledbury.co.uk/eurovision/pdf/esc2000.pdf |access-date=12 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} Latvia was one of the eligible countries which did not compete in the 1999 contest, and thus were permitted to participate.{{cite web |title=Jerusalem 1999 – Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/jerusalem-1999 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621202249/https://eurovision.tv/event/jerusalem-1999 |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-status=live}} The running order for the contest was decided by a draw held on 21 November 1999; Latvia was assigned to perform 21st at the 2000 contest, following {{esccnty|Finland|y=2000}} and preceding {{esccnty|Turkey|y=2000}}.{{cite web |title=Final of Stockholm 2000 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410194017/https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final |archive-date=10 April 2021 |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} Eurovision Song Contest 2000 was televised in Latvia on LTV with the commentary by Kārlis Streips.{{cite web |title=Streips kā dalībnieks debitē "Eirovīzijā" |url=https://www.delfi.lv/izklaide/archive/streips-ka-dalibnieks-debite-eirovizija.d?id=41631019 |publisher=Delfi |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130104825/https://www.delfi.lv/izklaide/archive/streips-ka-dalibnieks-debite-eirovizija.d?id=41631019 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |language=lv |date=9 November 2011 |url-status=live}} The contest was watched by a total of 380 thousand viewers in Latvia with the market share of 42%.{{cite web |url=http://eirovizija.tv.lv:80/ |title=Eirodziesma 2002 ir sākusies! |website=eirovizija.tv.lv |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020120203235/http://eirovizija.tv.lv:80/ |archive-date=20 January 2002 |url-status=dead}}
The Latvian performance featured Brainstorm members performing with instruments on stage in a band set-up. The stage colours were predominantly blue and green and the LED screens displayed blue and green leaves.{{cite AV media |date=13 May 2000 |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2000 |type=Television programme |language=en |location=Stockholm, Sweden |publisher=Sveriges Television (SVT)}} After the voting concluded, Latvia scored 136 points, including 4 sets of highest score of 12 points, from {{esccnty|Belgium|y=2000}}, {{esccnty|Estonia|y=2000}}, {{esccnty|Finland|y=2000}}, and {{esccnty|Norway|y=2000}};{{cite web | url=https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final/results/latvia | title=Results of the Final of Stockholm 2000 - Eurovision Song Contest }} and placed 3rd.{{cite web |title=Final of Stockholm 2000 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410194017/https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final |archive-date=10 April 2021 |url-status=live}}
=Voting=
The same voting system in use since 1975 was again implemented for 2000 contest, with each country providing 1–8, 10 and 12 points to the ten highest-ranking songs as determined by a selected jury or the viewing public through televoting, with countries not allowed to vote for themselves.{{cite web |title=In a Nutshell – Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/history/in-a-nutshell |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626052301/https://eurovision.tv/history/in-a-nutshell |archive-date=26 June 2022 |date=31 March 2017 |url-status=dead}} Latvia had intended to use televoting, however, due to a technical failure of the telephone system caused by an unexpectedly large number of votes being cast, the votes of jury panel were instead used to determine nation's points.{{cite news |url=https://telegraf.bb.lv/arhiv/item/72056-Nevernyy-prognoz-LTV-vvel-v-zabluzhdenie-tysyachi-zriteley |title=Неверный прогноз LTV ввёл в заблуждение тысячи зрителей |date=19 May 2000 |work=Biznes & Baltiya |issue=97 (1479) |language=ru |access-date=4 December 2022 }} {{registration required}} LTV appointed Lauris Reiniks as its spokesperson to announce the Latvian votes during the final. Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Latvia and awarded by Latvia in the grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Denmark in the contest.
After the contest, the Latvian jury votes in the final faced scrutiny in Russian media. Latvian jury didn't award Russia any points; this led to some suggesting that the Latvian jury votes might have been politically influenced.{{Cite news|title=Быть Риге маленьким Лондоном! С легкой руки Скандинавов |date=16 May 2000|website=Biznes & Baltiya|author=Egor Erohomovich|issue=94 (1476)|language=ru }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mk.ru/editions/daily/article/2000/05/27/123976-solo-dlya-evropyi.html|title=Соло для Европы|author=Екатерина Прянник|date= 27 May 2000|website= Moskovskij Komsomolets|language=ru |access-date= 5 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930084434/https://www.mk.ru/editions/daily/article/2000/05/27/123976-solo-dlya-evropyi.html |archive-date=30 September 2022 |url-status=live}} Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Berzins later denied accusations of politicisation of the Latvian jury, saying that "this case cannot be politicised".{{Cite news|title=Премьер опровергает политизацию хоккейного чемпионата и конкурса Евровидения в Латвии|date=19 May 2000|website=Baltic News Service|language=ru }}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
| class="wikitable" |
| + Points awarded to Latvia{{cite web |title=Results of the Final of Stockholm 2000 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final/results/latvia |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410201520/https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2000/final/results/latvia |archive-date=10 April 2021 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="col" width="20%" | Score
! scope="col" | Country |
|---|
| scope="row" | 12 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Belgium|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Estonia|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Finland|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Norway|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 10 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Iceland|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Sweden|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 8 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Austria|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Denmark|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Ireland|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 7 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Germany|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Spain|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Switzerland|y=2000}}|{{Esc|United Kingdom|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 6 points
| |
| scope="row" | 5 points
| |
| scope="row" | 4 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Israel|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Netherlands|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 3 points
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|France|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Macedonia|y=2000}}}} |
| scope="row" | 2 points
| |
| scope="row" | 1 point
| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Cyprus|1960|y=2000}}|{{Esc|Russia|y=2000}}}} |
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2000}}