Lithuania: LRT to broadcast "EuROOPvision" as part of its alternative Eurovision program

Lithuania: LRT to broadcast
Thursday, 07 May 2020

  • The Lithuanian national broadcaster, LRT, will be unwinding its alternative Eurovision program in the place of the cancelled Eurovision 2020 shows, including the special concert "EuROOPvision".

    Following the heartbreaking cancellation of this year's Eurovision Song Contest, national broadcasters across Europe and Australia have launched an alternative schcedule made  in the place of the cancelled ESC 2020 show. Among those the Lithuanian broadcaster will be unfolding its own alternative program for this May.

     

    The special show "Eurovision stories you haven't heard"

    On the dates when the semifinals of the canceled Eurovision Song Contest were to take place, LRT  will broadcast a special program that will feature the most memorable performances of Eurovision participants and winners of the last decade, unexpected stories and awkward that took place on stage and behind the scenes. Additionally we will see interesting conversations about the phenomenon of “Eurovision” with Lithuanian performers and music experts who have already participated in it.  Questions as "how do you win Eurovision"? what is the key format in order to win the contest? What is the secret to the popularity of this contest? What impact do neighboring countries’ relations and policies have on the results of the competition?

    Eurovision
    Photo by Eurovision / eurovision.tv
     
     
    "Eurovision: Europse Shine A Light" & "EuROOPvision"

    On the day of the Eurovision final, May 16, LRT will air the Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light show directly from the Netherlands, and before that, LRT TELEVISION and LRT RADIO will broadcast The Roop concert EuROOPvision, filmed especially in an empty concert hall. The best songs of the group will be performed, shots that have already become archived will be shown, including how Lithuania and foreign countries learned to dance “On Fire” dance, as well as Western music critics who predicted high positions for Lithuanian representatives in this year’s Eurovision final. . The members of The Roop group and its leader will also answer the questions of the fans during the concert. EuROOPvision will be led by Gabrielle Martirosian.

    The Roop
    Photo by The Roop / D. Umbrass / LRT

    Immediately after The Roop concert, a live broadcast of Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light from the Netherlands. During the special broadcast, we will see excerpts from the performances of representatives of all countries. A few surprises await the audience. The song will unite all the participants who had to perform at this year’s “Eurovision” – they will perform the song “Love Shine a Light” performed by ESC 1997 winners, the group from the United Kingdom Katarina and the Waves. Another song will be performed by a virtual choir of Eurovision fans from different countries, who will sing Johnny Logan’s song “What’s Another Year”. The event will be commented on by Lithuanian spectators by LRT popular music chief editor Ramūnas Zilnys.

    Marius Kiltinavičius and Ieva Zasimauskaitė on the Eurovision stage
    Marius Kiltinavičius and Ieva Zasimauskaitė on the Eurovision stage / BNS photo.
     
     
    The "Eurovision Week" series 

    LRT will also pay special tribute to the songs that were supposed to be performed at this year’s Eurovision next week. Monday to Friday 3:05 p.m. a special series of programs “Eurovision Week” will be aired on the radio in 2007. Darius Užkuraitis, Gerūta Griniūtė, Ramūnas Zilnys, Gabrielė Martirosian will present all this year’s effort and speak to this year’s Lithuanian acts and previous years’ representatives.

    Eurovision 2016 Donatas Montvydas
    Eurovision 2016 Donatas Montvydas
     
    The songs of the participants who had to perform at Eurovision will also be reminded by the LRT TELEVISION program “Labas rytas, Lietuva”, which will broadcast this year’s performances during the Eurovision week.
     

    Here is how LRT's schedule will unfold during next week: 

    Tuesday, May 12th : 9.30 p.m. Eurovision Song Contest. Stories you haven’t heard. ” LRT TELEVISION.

    Thursday, May 14th : 9.30 p.m. concert, performances of the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest. LRT TELEVISION.

    Saturday, May 16th : 9 pm The Roop Concert EuROOPvision. LRT TELEVISION, LRT RADIO. – 10 pm Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light. Live broadcast from Hilversum, The Netherlands. Broadcast by LRT TELEVIZIJA, LRT RADIJAS and LRT.lt portal.

    Source: LRT