Bulgaria changes Eurovision 2013 song contest entry because of copyright issue
Bulgaria is to enter a different song in the 2013 Eurovision contest after a copyright problem emerged with the first choice.
The song Kismet, performed by Elitsa and Stundzhi, has been replaced by another performed by the same duo, entitled Samo Shampioni.
Public broadcaster Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said that it had been forced to withdraw the song Kismet from the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, after it was chosen to represent Bulgaria through a transparent process that involved established music professionals and an audience vote, the statement said.
The decision was made after it became clear that BNT could not reach an agreement about copyright, in accordance with the requirements of the international competition, with one of the authors of the song, a musician and producer from Argentina, BNT said.
BNT was misinformed by the Bulgarian producer of the song Kismet, that all copyright issues had been settled and a declaration to this effect was deposited with BNT, the broadcaster said
Only after the song was chosen, on March 3 2013, BNT was informed that Argentina’s Jonatan Tesei was not consulted about the final version of the song. In line with the requirements of the contest, BNT must provide a final audio track version, with no further adjustments, by March 18 2013.
For these reasons, BNT has decided that it will enter the song Samo Shampioni in Eurovision 2013. This song won the jury vote and was second among viewers’ preferences. A withdrawal by BNT at this stage would mean having to pay penalties, the broadcaster said.
“Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov support this decision and state that they will give their best to represent Bulgaria with honour.”
BNT said that it again thanked “all of its viewers who took part in the choice of the Bulgarian song for Eurovision 2013, as well as all other fans of the contest, who are excited by the chance for Bulgarian performers to represent the country’s musical traditions on the world stage”.
Elitsa and Stundzhi were earlier chosen to represent Bulgaria. Since the country first took part in Eurovision in 2005, the two – Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov – performed the best, placing fifth in the 2007 contest.
Bulgaria will take part in the semi-final in Malmö, Sweden, on May 16. The final in the 2013 Eurovision song contest is on May 18.
