20:00 IZMEDUAN TIME
Forty editions. Forty contests. Forty displays of music. Forty demonstrations of culture.
This was the number that Izmedu and RTI contemplated as they took on the job of hosting the ruby anniversary of the World Hit Festival. It was a time filled with contemplation, celebration, and excitement. The festival was growing from strength to strength, with the Izmeduan overseership weathering through an increase in participants as well as RTI further maturing in their hosting capabilities. Additionally, the start of WHF40 was also an end of an era for the overseership. It would also be the time where RTI were prepared to pass on the overseership to a new nation. Just as WHF40 would cap an end to the 30s, WHF40 was looking forwards to a new beginning.
Deciding to focus more on the experience rather than the vast size of the audience in comparison to the previous hosting in Gralicna, the contest in Mousiki was 11,000 people strong within in the audience. Coming from all walks of life, from many nations, and from all musical cultures. Tonight, they converge together for one purpose... To make unforgettable moments, unforgettable music, and an unforgettable contest.
History had already been made through the introduction of semi-finals. Two shows have already been produced to create the World Hit Festival experience. 30 delegations have sent entries to Mousiki, but only 15 still stand...
Let's make some music in Mousiki...
OPENING SEQUENCE: MUSIC IS HOPE
Alajbeg Productions – Renewal
Tune: Nick Murray ft. Juliet Lyons - Hopes and Dreams
0:00-0:34
The full World Hit Festival 40 logo was displayed on the screen as the first object viewers could see after a limited animation of its formation. When the opening theme commenced, the logo began to fade bit by bit as a 'drawing' of Mousiki in the form of abstract musical notes that formed to a city on the white-gray background began to form. Those musical notes would begin to form some of the major landmarks of Mousiki. The music would only remain at a stable note, letting itself build as the camera closed in one of the landmarks (the wall that guarded Mousiki). In the close-up, the wall seemed to be made of a mosaic of words that consisted of every single city name that hosted the World Hit Festival, starting with Necrobrachlesh.
0:34-1:06
During this 32 second interval, each city name would have 3 seconds to flash as the camera slowly panned from left to right. Necrobrachlesh would follow first, to then Praetoria, Amalker, and then all the way down to Tikuna. Each contest would have their chance to shine through an artistic rendering of a significant moment that happened within them, usually their winner. In Necorbrachlesh's case, we could see Khanstan's winner, Revenge on the World, take home WHF trophy, and so on and so forth. The music began to further build a little bit more, with the hue being a white-blue at 34 seconds to 49 seconds to symbolize Saintrabina being the overseer. At the 50 second mark, the hue that coated the background turned into a baby blue and orange hybrid to represent Euskirribakondara.
1:07-1:40
At this section, World Hit Festivals 11 through 20 would be represented. The music began to intensify in further detail, a background section of violin beginning to swirl in intensity. From here, we can see an abstraction of the city of Ceso in Folkand, then other significant moments in The Atlammes, Kingsley Bedford, Vampirum, and all the way down to Senmeri. At the section from between Vampirum and Titaniumland, the background changed from Euskirribakondara's national colors to Kalosia's, a dark blue hue now signifying Kalosia's overseership. WHF19 was especially given some special attention here, seeing as it is seen as WHF truly beginning to define itself. Nani's win was forwarded with Senmeri's hosting of the 20th anniversary. There was a pause at the 1:39 mark when Small Lords won...
1:40-2:14
There was then a bang to Picard's hosting of the 21st World Hit Festival. We then moved forward to Frigidekasai, New Sarum, Caen, and then all the way down Vodiznad for the 30th edition. The music began to swell further, with an added drum beat to the background that added more heft to the moments that were present. Paola Amadin's win for Kalosia was represented, as was the duel between Zoran Saldo and Rigas Jengiz in Monterra. These moments were accentuated by the ever-building instrumentation, with horns being added for dramatic effect. At the 30th edition, the hue changed from a dark blue to a forest green, representing Izmedu's turn at the overseership.
2:14-2:48
The last 34 seconds would represent the current era of the World Hit Festival. This was the climax of the song, the main leitmotif of the festival. This would play when Mousiki and Harrikes were represented, with Nadija Djokanovic and Samira both being represented in succession. Moments such as Cosneolta's win in Avranches, Mercedini's win in Vodiznad, and more would continue to be represented as the song kept swelling to an even further climax. As the song kept rising, transitioning from Orkendrem to the host city, Mousiki... There was silence as as the image now stood on a drawing of Mousiki itself, fading into black.
2:48-3:34
At the song's long outro, the music note logo began to materialize on the screen in a gold and black fashion, before the gray-white background appeared once more. The camera would zoom into that music note, revealing the live audience in a cinematic fashion. The camera would roam around the arena at the song's outro, fading into black as the logo of the 40th World Hit Festival was once more super-imposed on the screen.
At the theme's conclusion, large crowd cheering can be heard. A haunting sound came over the arena, causing the lights and stage to flicker white for a brief moment. Due to this flickering, two figures were revealed to be standing near the stage for just a brief moment. Those two seemingly looked unrecognizable, especially with the way the atmosphere seemed almost too surreal from the sounds that were being emitted from the stage. Those sounds would eventually cease, until a familiar tune to the Izmeduan audience began to play, and a familiar face would appear...
OPENING ACT I
Lana Vukusic & Sandra Susa – Paradise
Tune: Amy Lee & Francesca Michielin - Love Exists/L'amore esiste (Mashup)
A whoosh would course through the stage in the Majcena Foruma as a woman with a familiar look stepped forward. That woman was standing at the center of the main stage near the exposed left shell (both were currently exposed, revealing an orchestra lying in wait). The piano surrounding the opening act coincided with a slowly intensifying spotlight on this figure. The camera faded to a close view of that figure, until a soft 'bang' would reveal who she was. On the stage was Lana Vukusic the winner of the 39th World Hit Festival. Though the crowd cheer had to be muffled on broadcast, she smiled warmly at the home crowd.
Contobom sentirem bav
Kao padam u tvoje rake
Nema više le strahove
Nema više pol i suze
Jamo mi cre je-api
Biti istinit sebi
Zbog tebe, mogu voljeti
Nađem mogućnost i loica
She sang this first verse much the same way she would when she was in Orkendrem. She was a little bit more liberatory with her movements as she wasn't restricted by being behind a microphone stand. She looked up, the adoration in her eyes still as intense and loving as ever as was required for the song. Lana looked sideways towards the direction of the other side of the stage, with the camera focusing mostly on close-up shots of her singing. By the end of the verse, Lana can be seen smiling as a spotlight shone quickly on another woman, who would pick up quickly on what Lana had done with the verse.
When we are together
There is no darkness or fear
In our unity
Our hands, lips, and souls as one
We are unstoppable
In our loving embrace
The new singer, Sandra Susa, sang the first chorus with deeper yet equally warm tone that Lana carried from the original performance. Sandra was the lead singer of popular Izmeduan band, Grupa Grobnica, and released an English-language interpretation of Lana's winner. Specifically just for the opening act, both versions of the songs would be combined. Throughout this, the camera would focus closely on Sandra, as she was injecting and putting in as much passion in her vocals as possible. The orchestra behind her was hard at work trying to make sure to account for both arrangements of the song.
I've dreamed for so long
To be truly yours
A dream I once thought foolish
Now becomes so real
I share this life with you
Every moment
From a simple loving kiss
To our vows and promises
Sandra approached Lana as they both walked forward towards the edge of the main stage. She sang this verse again with that warm tone of hers, the light shining a warm yellow in reflection of the mood of the song. The camera would focus primarily on Sandra as she sang. From her expression, it was clear that she, like Lana, had someone in mind as she sang this verse. By the second half of the verse, she turned around to face Lana with a smile, who smiled back with her. The lights began to swell from the warm yellow to a brighter color, reflecting the same palette that was used in Orkendrem,
El paradais je tvoj cre
El paradais je tvoj mir
Trebam te mi ljubauri
Trebam te bliže meni
El paradais je ovdje
I mi paradais je te
The camera zoomed over softly from Sandra to Lana as she passionately sang the original Izmeduan chorus. She held one hand out towards the audience as she belted out the lyrics, the lights swirling to a bright yellow as well as the stage itself beginning to be lined with a pastel yellow light. Her eyes were closed for some parts as she matched the original intensity of her performance, with Lana having to step back a couple of times. The camera maintained its close view, lingering on Lana until the transition to the middle eight.
This happiness I feel
I refuse to sacrifice
If you fade, my heart would be trapped in sorrow
Stojim ovdje za-con vas
I fight for you
The camera faded to a view of Sandra as she sang these lines equaling Lana's passion. The transition was a bit jarring instrumentation-wise, but Sandra was able to smoothly guide her vocal to make it contiguous. Her eyes were closed as she sang the third line, her face looking towards Lana's as she sang it. Once that third line was sung, the camera then interposed a close up of Lana's face next to Sandra's, with her singing the one Izmeduan line. In here, the piano did a bit of a flourish to mark the transition. When Sandra sang the last line of the middle eight, the camera view faded back to a close up view of Sandra, with the song beginning to intensify once more.
You are heaven
You are my grace
You are paradise
An existence that I need
It is for you I breathe
And you give me hope
At this chorus, the camera focused on Sandra as she belted the lyrics out passionately. The lights still pulsed a bright and light yellow to Sandra's arrangement of the song. Her deeper tone provided a contrast to Lana's more emotionally intense delivery, but she still kept the same passion that Lana exuded. She looked at the audience as she sang, smiling warmly at the fourth and fifth lines. At the end of the chorus, she looked at Lana and both re-joined, putting their arms across each other for a few seconds.
In your arms I feel safe
Each day I look forward
To be around your presence
Just even being with you
Creates a profound joy
That I can't resist
With you I can now let go
Of the demons inside me
The instrumentation calmed down at the advent of Sandra's English verse, with the lights pulsing to the soft beat that was on the background. Sandra sang with a tone of contemplation and desire, with Lana looking at her with a smile. Midway through the verse, both women began to walk their way separate verse, with Sandra walking on the left walkway, with Lana on the right. The camera would fade between both women throughout the verse, to which they were both re-united at the satellite verse once Sandra sang the final line of the verse. The instrumentation took a pause, with the orchestra prepared to take an intermediary between Lana and Sandra's arrangemens.
El paradais je tvoj cre
El paradais je tvoj mir
Trebam te mi ljubauri
Trebam te bliže meni
You are heaven
You are my love
For this hybrid chorus, the instrumentation was pared back to allow for their voices to shine. The focus was first on Lana, as she sang the trademark chorus' first four lines directly to Sandra. At the last two lines, it would be Sandra that would finish the chorus off with as much passion and emotion she could muster. The lights would begin to shine brighter, initially being dark at the start at the chorus before beginning to coalesce into the original array of yellow lights from earlier.
El paradais je tvoj cre
El paradais je tvoj mir
Trebam te mi ljubauri
Trebam te bliže meni
El paradais je ovdje
I mi paradais je te
The chorus was repeated once more, with Lana reprising the full Izmeduan chorus. The array of lights between Lana and Sandra were flashing at their highest intensity, representing the climax of the song. Sandra would begin to engage with the crowd, holding some audience member's hands as Lana was letting loose her vocals. At the end, both women put their arms across each other, wanting to be united for the final seconds of the song.
I stand for you
I fight for you
Stojim ovdje za-con
I fight for you
The instrumentation took a conclusory bent, with the camera zooming out for a much wider, if almost cinematic view, of the stage. At the song's outro, Sandra would sing the first two lines, looking at Lana and the crowd. Lana would sing the third line and Sandra would close out the song. A haunting sound came over the arena as the Izmeduans cheered for their opening act. There wasn't much chance for either to say a thank you as the Majcena Foruma was immediately encased in darkness.
In past Izmeduan World Hit Festivals, this would be the time where a booming voice would welcome either the host or hostess of the World Hit Festival. In here, there was a slight extended silence, leaving some to wonder if either the show organizers were running late or if something different was planned. It would be the latter. The sound of rumbling thunder began to encase the stage as white lights would flicker, where astute eyes could see Sandra and Lana quickly rushing backstage. An image of a woman began to appear on the screen, one who looked familiar to Izmeduan eyes as a TV personality and even more importantly, as a famous singer.
That woman's name was Petra Krznar.
OPENING ACT II
Petra Krznar – The Power of Song
Tune: Zlata Ognevich - Magic Story (RPed to 4:55)
The image of Petra appeared on the screens only for a brief second before dramatic horns would sound and an electronic sound came whooshing through the arena. This was timed with a massive crowd cheer, especially from the home crowd who were all but too elated to find out who their hostess finally was. A spotlight began to shine on Petra, as the stage was lit up in variations of the Izmeduan national colors (focusing mostly on the blues and greens). She began to hum, her hands clasped together tightly. The lights were sensitive to harming, dim at first as she kept her register low...
Ju sentirem...
Ju sentirem...
In the interim, a children's chorus (hidden backstage for now) began to sing these two lines in the intervening period where she kept humming. The camera circled around her slowly as the spotlight on her intensified, revealing the rather intricate dress she was wearing. As she kept singing higher, the lights would intensify, with the background screens also brightening as well as they were currently displaying an image of the various cities that hosted the World Hit Festival, almost mirroring the opening graphic package from the opening theme. As Petra hit her highest note, the lines that dotted the stage began to pulse in the national colors of various countries that were participating. When she finished this section of the song, Petra dramatically stepped back as a troupe of dancers in traditional Izmeduan clothing began to envelop the stage, performing a dance that was reminiscent of traditional Izmeduan dancing but with choreography that was adjusted for a more strenuous performance.
Sentireš li la snaga
Sentireš li la cazba
Vidiš li nuestra ritam
Vidiš li nuestra futra
A background singer from that troupe would sing these lines, with the frenetic camerawork focusing more on that singer and the troupe of dancers behind him. It was delivered quickly, almost becoming a blink and you'll miss it moment. As soon as that singer was done, the camera focused on the dancers performing to their strenuous routine. With a troupe of 15 dancers currently on the stage, they stayed tight and in-sync to the almost aggressive choreography they were doing, with the camera cinematically rotating and panning to match the frenetic performance. At the end of the dancers' routine, the 15 split into groups of 7 and 8 at each half of the stage, making way for Petra's re-appearance. The lights went from frenetic flashing to a bright white.
I feel alive through song
Melodies give me life
Give me life
This power of song
To empower our spirits
Let's make music
Petra had her arms outstretched for the first line of this verse. Her voice boomed and swelled, keeping in pace with the epic mood of the song. She walked forward as the verse progressed, holograms of past WHF moments appearing right around her as that was reflected right on the screen. Interspersed with WHF history (with holograms of Samira, Paola Amadin, Mademoiselle, and other winners appearing) was also the theme of the contest. Abstract music notes would also flash at the screens behind Petra and on the stage floor. These holograms would disappear at the end of the verse, where the dance troupe was right behind Petra.
Neka glazba flora
Neka glazba flora
Infloara
Cantamo con gauda
Neka glazba flora
For the first four line of this chorus, the children's choir would let their vocals take center stage as Petra would belt out key lines as she led the dance troupe. Intricate choreography was performed as the dancers behind her were at work in keeping their movements in-sync yet daring. Petra, to keep her vocals in line, was performing a much lighter version of the choreography. The camera cut between shots of either Petra or the dancers, until the camera settled to Petra at the end as she belted out the end of the chorus. The lights would darken as the music notes on the screens began to invert color, mirroring the opening theme.
At the interval, with the music softening with a whoosh (represented by Petra making a motion, causing holographic waves to appear). There were a few heartbeats as the dancers retreated backstage, being replaced by a cadre of children that were indeed the children's choir that were singing from backstage. Those children divided into two groups of eight that walked on the two runways that were connected to the smaller satellite stage. As the Majcena Foruma darkened slightly and the music paused, it was time for the outro of the song...
La snaga je unutar nas
Udiemo la glazba
Slavimo nuestra harmonija
Zajedno, stvaramo glazba
Glazba
The children's choir began singing this verse, with the camera slowly panning around them as they sang these lines in unison. The stage was lit up in a stunning array of lights, as the background screens began to show an animated abstraction of the 'creation' of music, which was affected almost in real-time by the children that sang. At the end, when they all sang 'Glazba,' the camera re-focused back on Petra for an interlude. She began to hum, walking forward as she made graceful hand and body motions that suggested the same images being shown on the screens. The children on the runways were following each of her movements.
La snaga je unutar nas
Udiemo la glazba
Slavimo nuestra harmonija
Zajedno, stvaramo glazba
Glazba
This chorus was reprised one more time, with Petra standing in place as the children sang out the song with their aria. The song had a peaceful ending, its last stretches ending with slowly fading vocals and a twinkle that coincided with the slow fading of the abstract images that formed the logo of the 40th World Hit Festival.
The crowd cheered immensely as the opening act ended. As the children's choir walked away from the stage, the camera panned to a smiling Petra, who was now standing behind a music-shaped podium and with a cue card on her hand. She smiled widely at the audience as they kept cheering like no tomorrow, with her unable to say anything for a little bit due to how passionate the majority Izmeduan crowd were being. After some crowd ushers were able to do finally quiet down the Majcena, Petra finally had her chance to speak.
Petra: Welcome to the Grand Final of the 40th World Hit Festival!!! Welcome to Mousiki, Izmedu!!!
The crowd cheered and the camera panned to a wide shot of the 11,000 strong audience. Flags of competing nations can be seen being woven around like no tomorrow.
Petra: I know we're a familiar sight by now, but welcome back! My name is Petra Krznar and I'll be your hostess tonight!
Petra: The last time we were here, the contest was celebrating its 36th iteration. How times have changed and how the World Hit Festival has grown. Tonight, we here in Mousiki and all around the world are celebrating another important milestone for the World Hit Festival. The 40th edition!
There was a crowd cheer here in response.
Petra: Now, more than ever, this contest has grown and has weathered many changes. For nations new and old, let me take you through what exactly the World Hit Festival is about. Indeed, just two nights ago we held semi-finals in the World Hit Festival for the first time since the 3rd World Hit Festival! How's that for a change? We are still making history for the festival to this day. Not only that, but this World Hit Festival marks the first time we've ever hit 30 nations in one contest.
Petra: Tonight, 15 nations stand here tonight having sent an entry under the guidance of their broadcasting nation. Indeed, your broadcaster is the one responsible for making sure you country here is well-represented tonight. Each of these entries will be performed and after they all perform, we'll engage in a voting process to find out who will be the winner of the 40th World Hit Festival and also have the privilege to host the 41st festival. Now, how about that for a prize? And of course, these entries aren't to be taken lightly. They've gone through a grueling semi-final stage where 29 nations fought for 14 spots to the grand final. They've already gone through an official World Hit Festival performance, but now, the stakes are even higher.
Petra: Of course, every nation here has sent something a little bit different. As my Izmeduan predecessors have described, an entry can manifest in multiple forms. We've had solo singers, bands, indescribable entities, some shocking entries, and some entries that have gripped the hearts and minds of viewers around the world. The possibilities are endless.
Petra: Now, I've spoken long enough. We've been in this country six times now so we know the drill. The first nation up is a veteran nation to the WorldVision Song Contest that has made waves in the World Hit Festival recently. Debuting last edition in Orkendrem, Adab is the first contestant up tonight. For a country known for Kinan Al-Salaman's memorable performances in the WorldVision Song Contest, Shamsi Ara is the main person flying the flag for Adab with the song "I'm On Your Side." Adab, it's your turn!
The cameras flashed to the stage as the first frames of the Adabian postcard began to play.