Junior Eurovision 2017: Anastasiya Baginska – Don’t Stop (Ukraine)

Ukraine – UA:PBC
Broadcaster Website: http://1tv.com.ua JESC Website: –

 

Artist: Anastasiya Baginska
Song: Don’t Stop
Composer(s): Kateryna Komar
Writer(s): Kateryna Komar, Anastasiya Baginska
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/an_baginska
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Biography

Anastasiya Baginska was born in Kyiv in July 2005 and she currently lives in Bila Tserkva. At the age of four she started humming melodies and singing songs from her favourite cartoons and commercials. When she turned five Anastasiya began her studies at the school of art. Now she is studying acting, singing, voice-training, dance and other contemporary arts at the Katapulta Art Music School in Kyiv.

Anastasiya sings in four languages; Ukrainian, Russian, English and Dutch. She performed on stage for the first time and took the second prize at the age of five. Since then she has become the first prize winner at various national and international vocal contests. In 2014, Anastasiya was asked by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine to represent the country at the 12th International Children Music Contest, Vitebsk-2014 within the Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk Festival. Anastasiya took first prize, the first time in the history of this contest that Ukraine has taken the grand prix. Anastasiya was awarded the Future of the Nation prize for this victory.

In 2014 Anastasiya participated in The Voice Kids which gave a huge boost to her performing career, she had already tried her luck in the 2012 edition. She has also performed alongside Ukrainian Eurovision Song Contest winner Jamala at both her solo concert and in a special arrangement of her song 1944 which was performed at Eurovision 2017. Anastasiya was the face of a special promotional video about Ukraine, Come to Ukraine to Celebrate Diversity, created for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. It was a 30-second video with shots made in the most picturesque places of Ukraine.

Anastasiya is learning to play the piano, likes to sing, dance, read, draw, roller-blade and skateboard. She adores travelling, resting at the seaside and visiting the Carpathian mountains together with her family and friends. Anastasiya’s favourite holidays are her birthday and New Year. Anastasiya’s song Don’t Stop is about children’s dreams and the way to achieve them.

National Final

Фінал нацвідбору на Дитяче Євробачення (August 25, 2017)

  1. Veronika Kovalenko – In My Dream
  2. Polianna Ryzhak – On Your Way
  3. Duo “Glamurchyk” – De Ty I Ya
  4. Sofia Lozina – Ya Viryu
  5. Sofia Bondarenko – Muzyka Dushi
  6. Anastasiya Baginska – Ne Zupynyay
  7. Fediya Skliarenko – Davay, Spivay!
  8. Darina Halytska – Yanholy
  9. Sofia Shkidchenko – Yo De Ley
  10. Nina Boikova – Dream Is Near

Exclusive Interview

ESC+Plus: Hello Nastya! First of all, congratulations on having won the Ukrainian national selection for Junior Eurovision 2017!

How did you feel when you were named the winner of the Ukrainian national selection? Did you expect it?

Anastasiya Baginska: At first, I lost all thoughts, and when I realized what had happened, I was thrilled, probably this is called happiness =).

E+: This was your second attempt to represent Ukraine at Junior Eurovision, as you came second at the 2016 national selection. What do you think it has helped you to reach the top finally?

Anastasiya Baginska: Last year we had very little time for everything. Song was written right before the contest itself, we hardly managed to send an application, and we hadn’t prepared for the vote at all. This year, all my friends knew that I was going to take part in the selection, we made the song in advance, plus we worked on the production. So I think that everything has its time!

E+: Kateryna Komar is the composer of your song and she has also written some of your previous singles. What does she mean to you? How was the composition procedure of “Ne Zupyniai”?

Anastasiya Baginska: Katerina Komar for me is not just a vocal teacher, an author, and composer of my songs. I think she is a wonderful person, very kind and my big friend, because she supports me in every situation, she teaches me a lot. I am grateful that I can be friends with her and learn from her.

Anastasiya Baginska and Katerina Komar in studio

E+: Tell us what your song is about. What is the thing you like the most of “Ne Zupyniai”?

Anastasiya Baginska: With my song, I want to tell all people that should never give up, do not be afraid of dreaming and follow their dreams. I think that this song is entirely about every person, including me! I want my song to help everyone achieve their wishes!

E+: A few days ago, you released an official music video to premiere the new version of your song. How was the shooting of the clip? Were there any funny anecdotes you can share with us?

Anastasiya Baginska: The title of the song is “Don’t Stop”, so the video is a story that fully reflects the meaning of the song and the main actors are teenagers. Everyone has an interesting and not an accessible path, but their paths crossed and something beautiful came out of it. But you’d better watch it. It has long been on my channel and the official page of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

E+: Have you already decided about how your stage performance will look like? How about the costume? How many hours per day do you work on preparations for Junior Eurovision?

Anastasiya Baginska: Work on the image was not easy, as well as on everything else)) First, we came up with the statement of the performance, then the director told how he saw everything on the stage. Later, our designer came up with images, and then we chose fabrics, etc. We have already decided everything, the final working moments are coming and my suit will be ready soon. All preparations for the contest, including the selection of clothes, can be watched on my channel, my #Bagi_Vlog, in which I reveal all the details))

E+: What do you expect from your upcoming experience at Junior Eurovision? What do you think it will mean for your musical career?

Anastasiya Baginska: I like to sing very much, I do it every day at home, and I am always in touch with my teachers. Music is everything to me, my life is completely connected with music. Therefore, my participation in contests, festivals are important steps in my development. It’s always an exciting experience; it’s a constant tone and movement! I think this is important and necessary for every young vocalist.

E+: This year the Eurovision Song Contest took place in your country? How did you experience the event? Did you have the chance to meet any competing artists?

Anastasiya Baginska: Yes, this year a special promotional video about Ukraine “Come to Ukraine to Celebrate Diversity” was released for Eurovision 2017 – it was a 30-second video shot in the most beautiful places of our country. I was invited to be the main role. Later with this song, I opened the fan zone and the “Red Carpet” for all the guests of our country.

E+: If you could choose a Ukrainian singer or band to compete at Eurovision 2018, what would be your choice?

Anastasiya Baginska: I cannot answer this question, as for me everyone deserves to win this contest. Ukraine is very rich in good performers and beautiful music.

E+: Tell us more about yourself, your favourite music style, favourite school subjects, hobbies, musical career….

Anastasiya Baginska: I have taken part in many competitions, but the ones I remember the most are: The International Festival of Arts “Slavic Bazaar in Vitebsk” in the Republic of Belarus, I brought GRAND PRIX to Ukraine, and the TV project “The Voice Kids “, where I became a superfinalist.

I take an active part in the cultural life of my native city and our capital. I also spend a lot of time on charity and social projects.

I’m learning to play the piano. I love singing, dancing, reading, drawing, roller-skating, skating, riding horses. I also like traveling, to the sea and the Ukrainian mountains, together with family and friends! Favorite holidays – Birthday and New Year!

Inspired by such artists: Hard Kiss, One Direction, JT, Pharell Williams, Justin Bieber, Charlie Puth, MONATIK, QUEST PISTOLS SHOW, Mozgi.

Anastasiya Baginska with Jamala, winner of Eurovision 2016

E+: Two years ago, you were runner-up of the television project “The Voice Kids”. You went through the blind auditions at the second attempt. How do you remember your experience at this TV contest?

Anastasiya Baginska: This project means a lot to me, it was a challenging, exciting and positive stage. I got the chance to perform at the solo concert of Jamala, I will remember it forever. I got a lot of experience on stage, bright and unforgettable impressions from the tour around Ukraine thanks to the Ukrainian singer and his project called “Potap.Kids”.

E+: How do you feel while singing on stage? What has been your most special performance until the date?

Anastasiya Baginska: In early 2016, together with 12 more talented children, I became a little ambassador of Ukraine in the Netherlands. It was in the campaign “Hop, Nederland, hop” to support Ukraine on the eve of the referendum on the approval of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.

Of course, when I became the finalist of the national selection of the children’s Eurovision Song Contest 2017, where I got the maximum number of points from the jury, we were very prepared for this contest and won. For me, it is important to represent my country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest this year.

Before each performance, I always think through the lyrics in my head and wash away the songs, which helps me to get rid of the excitement. It is essential for me to understand what I’m singing about and it fills my whole soul. Support is significant to me, so it all makes me feel good before the performance.

E+: Can you send a message to our readers and Junior Eurovision fans?

Anastasiya Baginska: Thank you very much for your wishes! I want to tell everyone – never give up, don’t be afraid of dreaming and make wishes, even if at first sight they seem fantastic and inaccessible, go for them and don’t give up. It might not work at first, but you have to insist on your own and learn from mistakes. Don’t Stop!

Pictures:
Videos:
 Live at National Final  Live at National Semi-Final  First Version
Lyrics:

Ukrainian + English (Original Version)

Я мрію бути щасливою, побачити океан
Я мрію мандрувати світом, я мрію про котика
Будиночок на дереві, я мрію зніматись у кіно
Хочу грати на барабанах
The dream is close…

По доріжці любові знову, по незвіданих містах
Ми блукаємо, ми блукаємо
Долі невипадкові, ми вибираємо свій шлях
Ми чекаємо, ми чекаємо
Кольорові дні, мамині пісні
В тебе є в голові, душі, серці
З ними по життю іди

Серце не зупиняй
Не зупиняй
Мрію шукай свою
Не зупиняй
Світ відчиняй
І відчуй хто ти – лети!

How can I get a chance to see and understand the real you
Give you all my love, find my way in life
We can live in harmony because we’re one, we’re family
I see it in your eyes, your loving eyes!
You need to find your dream!

Give it a try
wonderful life
Listen to
your soul –
let go!

Не зупиняй Не зупиняй
Не зупиняй Не зупиняй
Не зупиняй
Світ відчиняй
І відчуй хто ти – лети!
Не зупиняй!

English

I dream of being happy, of seeing the ocean,
I dream of travelling the world,
I dream of having a cat, a tree house,
I dream of acting in films,
I want to play the drums,
The dream is close.

Along the path of love, again, across the unknown sites,
We wander, we wander,
Unaccidental fates, we choose our way.
We wait, we wait
For colourful days, mother’s songs
Are in your mind, in soul, in heart,
Go with them through life.

Do not stop your heart,
Do not stop,
Look for your dream,
Do not stop,
Discover the world,
And feel who you are – fly!

How can I get a chance to see and understand the real you
Give you all my love, find my way in life
We can live in harmony because we’re one, we’re family
I see it in your eyes, your loving eyes!
You need to find your dream!

Give it a try
wonderful life
Listen to
your soul –
let go!

Do not stop, do not stop,
Do not stop, do not stop,
Do not stop,
Discover the world,
And feel who you are – fly!
Do not stop!

Phonetic

Ya mriyu buty shchaslyvoyu, pobachyty okean
Ya mriyu mandruvaty svitom, ya mriyu pro kotyka
Budynochok na derevi, ya mriyu znimatys u kino
Khochu hraty na barabanakh
The dream is close…

Po dorizhtsi lyubovi znovu, po nezvidanykh mistakh
My blukayemo, my blukayemo
Doli nevypadkovi, my vybyrayemo sviy shlyakh
My chekayemo, my chekayemo
Kolorovi dni, mamyni pisni
V tebe ye v holovi, dushi, sertsi
Z nymy po zhyttyu idy

Sertse ne zupynyay
Ne zupynyay
Mriyu shukay svoyu
Ne zupynyay
Svit vidchynyay
I vidchuy khto ty – lety!

How can I get a chance to see and understand the real you
Give you all my love, find my way in life
We can live in harmony because we’re one, we’re family
I see it in your eyes, your loving eyes!
You need to find your dream!

Give it a try
wonderful life
Listen to
your soul –
let go!

Ne zupynyay Ne zupynyay
Ne zupynyay Ne zupynyay
Ne zupynyay
Svit vidchynyay
I vidchuy khto ty – lety!
Ne zupynyay!