Mariam Kakhelishvili will represent Georgia at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk, Belarus on 20 November with the song, Mari-Dari. Mariam speaks to EuroVisionary here.
Interview with Mariam Kakhelishvili
Congratulations Mariam on being selected to represent Georgia at the 2010 Junior Eurovision Song Contest – What were your feelings when you realised you had won and would be representing your country in Belarus?
Thanks for congratulations. It is a great honour to represent my country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2010. I hope that I will represent my country with dignity and will glorify it as well. We, with the whole creative group are working hard to return from Minsk with a great victory. Certainly, I’m glad to be part of such a grandiose competition.
Could you tell us something about your song, Mari-Dari, and what it is about?
The lyrics of my song are not very much factful, it contains few Georgian words. A word Dari in our language means sunshine, and just this word is a basiс sense of the song. When the sun is shining. I am happy and full of energy. Mary is my name, and Dary is sunshine. So Mari loves sunny weather!! Ram-Dam-Dury is a well known phrase from Georgian folklore.
Have you previously tried to participate in the Georgian Junior Eurovision festival? If so, can you tell us about it?
In 2008 I took part in the Georgian national selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Bzikebi won that year and really presented our country with dignity. They are my close friends and I supported them. This year I have decided to try once again and was lucky. Honestly, it was my dream and now it has come true.
Have you heard any of the songs from the other countries participating in the 2010 Junior Eurovision Song Contest? If so, do you have a particular favourite?
Certainly, I have heard the songs of all the countries participating. I liked them very much. Each one is special.
Have you participated in any other festivals or song competitions in Georgia or other countries?
I took part in several competitions both in Georgia and outside the country. I was a favourite in Nichiery, the project on television channel Rustavi2 (Georgian version of Britain’s Got Talent). Actually, I deserved the big love of televiewers. As a result I had the honour to sing a hymn on Independence Day of Georgia. It was one of the happiest days of my life.
Do you have any favourite Junior Eurovision songs from earlier years?
Yes, Bzikebi (Georgia 2008) with Bzzzzz and the song by Egle Jurgaityte (Lithuania 2008) called Laiminga Diena.
Do you watch the adult Eurovision Song Contest? If so, what was your favourite song in the 2010 contest in Oslo?
Of course. I supported Sofia Nijaradze of my country, Georgia. Ukraine and the Netherlands were good as well.
What music do you like to listen to at home? Do you have any favourite singers or groups?
I prefer Whitney Houston songs from her old albums. I often sing songs from her repertoire. Also, I like Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga.
Do you have plans to released an album soon?
As preparation for the competition takes too much time, we have postponed the work on an album and most likely will continue it in 2 months time. There are only 5 songs left to be recorded. At present we are occupied with filming the video clip for the Junior Eurovision song.
Do you have a website that our readers can read more about you?
The website is under construction now, but in the near future you will be able to visit it. Meanwhile you can see some videos of me on You Tube.
Thank you, Mariam. EuroVisionary wishes you lots of luck in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk, Belarus on 20 November 2010.
Thank you. It was very interesting to answer these questions.
