Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

{{main|Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2008 contest, {{lang|lv|Latvijas Televīzija|i=no}} (LTV) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Latvia eight times since its first entry in 2000.{{cite web |title=Latvia Country Profile |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=29 |access-date=6 November 2014 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} It won the contest once {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2002|t=in 2002}} with the song "I Wanna" performed by Marie N. Following the introduction of semi-finals for {{escyr|2004}}, Latvia was able to qualify to compete in the final between 2005 and 2007 including with its {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2007|t=2007 entry}} "Questa notte" performed by Bonaparti.lv.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, LTV organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2008 contest on 23 May 2007.{{Cite web |last=Royston |first=Benny |date=23 May 2007 |title=Latvia focused on 2008 |url=https://esctoday.com/8768/latvia_focused_on_2008/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=ESCToday}} LTV has selected its entries for the Eurovision Song Contest through a national final. Since its debut in 2000, it had organised the selection show {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}}. On 2 October 2007, the broadcaster announced that they would organise {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma 2008}} in order to select its entry for the 2008 contest.

{{lang|lv|Eirodziesma 2008}} was the ninth edition of {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}}, the music competition organised by LTV to select its entries for the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition commenced on 2 February 2008 and concluded with a final on 1 March 2008. All shows in the competition were hosted by Uģis Joksts and Kristīne Virsnīte and broadcast on LTV1 as well as online via the website apollo.lv.{{Cite web |date=17 February 2008 |title=Zināma finālistu uzstāšanās kārtība Eirodziesmas finālā |url=http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4221/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |publisher=Eirovizija |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318163438/http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4221/ |archive-date=18 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}

The format of the competition consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. The two semi-finals, held on 2 and 9 February 2008, each featured ten competing entries from which five advanced to the final from each show. The final, held on 1 March 2008, selected the Latvian entry for Belgrade from the remaining ten entries over two rounds of voting: the first round selected the top three songs and the second round (superfinal) selected the winner. Results during the semi-final shows were determined by a jury panel and votes from the public. The songs first faced a public vote where the top three entries qualified. The jury then selected an additional two qualifiers from the remaining entries to proceed in the competition. In the final, a public vote exclusively determined which entry would be the winner. Viewers were able to vote via telephone or SMS.

Artists and songwriters were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster between 2 October 2007 and 19 November 2007.{{Cite web |last=Medinika |first=Aija |date=2 October 2007 |title=Latvia decides on March 1 |url=https://esctoday.com/9359/latvia_decides_on_march_1/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=ESCToday}} 88 entries were submitted at the conclusion of the submission period. A jury panel appointed by LTV evaluated the submitted songs and selected twenty entries for the competition. The jury panel consisted of Sopho Khalvashi (who represented {{esccnty|Georgia|y=2007|t=Georgia in 2007}}), 4Fun (who represented {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2007|t=Lithuania in 2007}}), Christer Björkman (Head of Delegation for {{esccnty|Sweden|t=Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest}} and supervisor of Melodifestivalen), Adam Klein (British music manager), Bonaparti.lv (who represented {{esccnty|Latvia|y=2007|t=Latvia in 2007}}), and Kaspars Zavileiskis (music expert and editor at FHM).{{Cite web |date=6 December 2007 |title=Noskaidrotas 20 'Eirodziesmas 2008' pusfināla dziesmas |url=https://www.delfi.lv/kultura/news/music/noskaidrotas-20-eirodziesmas-2008-pusfinala-dziesmas.d?id=19715856 |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=delfi.lv |language=lv}} The twenty competing artists and songs were announced during a press conference on 11 December 2007.{{Cite web |date=6 December 2007 |title="Eirodziesmas 2008" preses konference |url=https://www.leta.lv/photo/printpreview/1324326E-CC17-3FDC-96DE-E838337E8B3C/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=LETA |language=lv}}{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=January 16, 2008 |title=Latvia: The Eirodziesma 2008 full line-up |url=http://esctoday.com/10139/latvia_the_eirodziesma_2008_full_line-up/ |website=ESCToday}} Among the artists were Andris Ērglis and Roberto Meloni (member of Pirates of the Sea) who both represented Latvia in 2007 as part of Bonaparti.lv.{{Cite web |title=LATVIAN NATIONAL FINAL 2008 |url=http://natfinals.50webs.com/90s_00s/Latvia2008.html}} It was later revealed that "Wolves of the Sea" had originally been written in Swedish for the 2007 edition of Melodifestivalen, titled "Här mellan himmel och jord" and to be performed by the group Drängarna; however the song was subsequently translated to English for {{lang|lv|Eirodziesma}} after being rejected from the former competition.{{cite news |last1=Hedenryd |first1=Marianne |date=3 March 2008 |title=Boråsares låt vann lettiska Melodifestivalen – här hör du låten |language=sv |work=Borås Tidning |url=https://www.bt.se/noje/borasares-lat-vann-lettiska-melodifestivalen-har-hor-du-laten/ |access-date=15 February 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Niklasson |first1=Av Maria |date=14 May 2008 |title=Glada pirater på plats i Belgrad |url=https://melodifestivalklubben.se/glada-pirater-pa-plats-i-belgrad/ |access-date=15 February 2022 |website=Melodifestivalklubben |language=sv}}

The two semi-finals took place on 2 and 9 February 2008. The live portion of the show was held at the LTV studios in Riga where the artists awaited the results while their performances, which were filmed earlier at the Club Essential in Riga on 21 and 23 January 2008, were screened.{{Cite web |date=7 November 2008 |title=Eirodziesmas nolikums |url=http://www.eirovizija.lv/files/nacionalais_nolikums_eirodziesma2007_finala_versija_1.doc |access-date=17 May 2022 |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107153653/http://www.eirovizija.lv/files/nacionalais_nolikums_eirodziesma2007_finala_versija_1.doc |archive-date=7 November 2007 |url-status=dead}} In each semi-final ten acts competed and five entries qualified to the final. The competing entries first faced a public vote where the top three songs advanced; an additional two qualifiers were then selected from the remaining seven entries by the jury.{{cite web |last=Medinika |first=Aija |date=2009-12-15 |title=Latvia confirms participation in 2010 |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14628 |access-date=23 December 2009 |work=ESCToday}} The jury panel that voted in the semi-finals consisted of Ance Krauze (singer and vocal teacher), Intars Busulis (singer, trombonist and radio host), Māris Žigats (musician and DJ at Radio SWH), Aivars Hermanis (composer, arranger and producer), Gatis Gaujenieks (producer), Daina Markova (musicologist and content editor at LTV), Ilze Vītoliņa (costume designer) and members of the LTV working group.{{Cite web |date=9 February 2008 |title=Zināms arī otrais Eirodziesmas fināla piecnieks |url=http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4214/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=eirovizija.lv |language=lv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080318163433/http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4214/ |archive-date=18 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}

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{{legend-inline|navajowhite|Public vote qualifier}}

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The final took place at the Olympic Center in Ventspils on 1 March 2008. The ten entries that qualified from the preceding two semi-finals competed and the winner was selected over two rounds of public televoting. In the first round, the top three songs advanced to the second round, the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Wolves of the Sea" performed by Pirates of the Sea was declared the winner.{{cite web |date=2008-03-01 |title=Latvia decided: The Pirates to Eurovision |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10733 |access-date=2009-03-01 |work=ESCToday}}{{Cite web |date=1 March 2008 |title=Pirates Of The Sea to Belgrade for Latvia |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/pirates-of-the-sea-to-belgrade-for-latvia |access-date=17 May 2022 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} In addition to the performances of the competing entries, guest performers included Bonaparti.lv (who represented Latvia in 2007), Elnur and Samir (who would represent {{esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2008|t=Azerbaijan in 2008}}), Tereza Kerndlová (who would represent the {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2008|t=Czech Republic in 2008}}), Jeronimas Milius (who would represent {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2008|t=Lithuania in 2008}}), and Morena (who would represent {{esccnty|Malta|y=2008|t=Malta in 2008}}).{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=1 March 2008 |title=Live: Latvia decides for Eurovision |url=https://esctoday.com/10727/live_latvia_decides_for_eurovision/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=ESCToday}}

It was announced in September 2007 that the competition's format would be expanded to two semi-finals in 2008.{{cite web |last=Viniker |first=Barry |date=2007-09-28 |title=Eurovision: 2 semi finals confirmed! |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9327 |access-date=2008-09-25 |work=ESCToday}} According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top nine songs from each semi-final as determined by televoting progress to the final, and a tenth was determined by back-up juries. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 28 January 2008, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals. Latvia was placed into the second semi-final, to be held on 22 May 2008.{{cite web |last=Viniker |first=Barry |date=2008-01-28 |title=The Eurovision Song Contest semi final draw |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10310 |access-date=2008-09-25 |work=ESCToday}} The running order for the semi-finals was decided through another draw on 17 March 2008 and Latvia was set to perform in position 10, following the entry from {{esccnty|Belarus|y=2008}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Croatia|y=2008}}.{{cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=2008-03-17 |title=Eurovision 2008 — Draw of the running order |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10890 |access-date=2008-11-08 |work=ESCToday}}

The two semi-finals and the final were broadcast in Latvia on LTV1 with all shows featuring commentary by Kārlis Streips. LTV appointed Kristīne Virsnīte as its spokesperson to announced the Latvian votes during the final.{{cite web |title=AKTUALITĀTES > Eirovīzijā triumfē Dima Bilans no Krievijas, Pirāti – vienpadsmitie / divpadsmitie |url=http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4513 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612043901/http://www.eirovizija.lv/lat/aktualitates/4513 |archive-date=2008-06-12 |access-date=2008-05-26 |publisher=Eirovizija}}

File:Pirates of the Sea, Latvia, Eurovision 2008.jpg

Pirates of the Sea took part in technical rehearsals on 14 and 17 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 21 and 22 May. The Latvian performance featured the members of Pirates of the Sea wearing pirate outfits and joined on stage by three backing vocalists. Several props were used for the performance which included antique weapons and swords, skull and cross bones flags, a telescope that created a small display effect showing what was seen on the top right side of the screen when used by one of the performers, and a ship steering wheel. The LED screens displayed large sharks swimming around.{{Cite web |date=14 May 2008 |title=Latvian pirates come to shore |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/latvian-pirates-come-to-shore |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}}{{Cite web |date=17 May 2008 |title=From dancing Czechs to fierce Latvians! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/from-dancing-czechs-to-fierce-latvians |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} The backing vocalists that joined Pirates of the Sea were: Liene Candy, Oskars Zaļkalniņš and Zane Biķe-Slišāne.{{Cite web |title=Latvia |url=https://sixonstage.com/country/latvia |access-date=17 May 2022 |website=Six on Stage}}

At the end of the show, Latvia was announced as having finished in the top 10 and subsequently qualifying for the grand final. It was later revealed that Latvia placed sixth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 86 points.{{cite web |title=First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172215/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=23 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}}

Shortly after the second semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine the running order of the final. This draw was done in the order the countries appeared in the semi-final running order. Latvia was drawn to perform in position 14, following the entry from {{esccnty|Portugal|y=2008}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Sweden|y=2008}}.

Pirates of the Sea once again took part in dress rehearsals on 23 and 24 May before the final. The group performed a repeat of their semi-final performance during the final on 24 May. At the conclusion of the voting, Latvia finished in twelfth place with 83 points.{{cite web |title=Grand Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172152/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=23 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Latvia and awarded by Latvia in the second semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2008}} in the semi-final and to {{esccnty|Russia|y=2008}} in the final of the contest.

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Following the contest, "Wolves of the Sea" went on to have minor success in European music charts, peaking at number 40 in Denmark's Hitlisten.{{cite web |title=Pirates Of The Sea - Wolves Of The Sea |url=https://danishcharts.dk/showitem.asp?interpret=Pirates+Of+The+Sea&titel=Wolves+Of+The+Sea&cat=s |website=danishcharts.dk |publisher=Hitlisten |access-date=22 February 2022}} The song was subsequently covered by Scottish folk metal band Alestorm and included on their 2009 album Black Sails at Midnight, and in Afrikaans by South African singer Willem Botha as "Hi Hi Ho", which has also been used as a chant by fans of the South Africa national rugby union team, the Springboks, during team matches.{{cite web |title=Black Sails at Midnight - Alestorm {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-sails-at-midnight-mw0000819714?1645530673920 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=22 February 2022}}{{cite web |title=Hi Hi Ho (Bokke weergawe) : Willem Botha |url=https://www.amazon.de/Hi-Ho-Bokke-weergawe/dp/B01EF8CPIC |publisher=Amazon Music |access-date=22 February 2022}}{{cite web |title=Big in South Africa! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/big-in-south-africa |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=22 February 2022 |date=14 May 2009}}

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{{Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2008}}

2008

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Eurovision