World Hit Festival 44 - Jefferton, Anollasia | IC Thread

[Anollasia]

[Anollasia]

12. Tödlichebujoku
Olanni Tairellinen - Saarsikka
Title translation: Little Rose
Language(s): English
Lyrics: Hanako Olkkunen, Olanni Tairellinen
Music: Olanni Tairellinen, Youko Sééger
Tune: Samuli Edelmann & Orkestra Suora Lähetys - Käteni

After the relative success of the past two heavily pop/electronic acts, the WHF team at SterGo100 was ready to try something a bit different. After receiving feedback from fans and fans that the broadcaster was courting, a rising performer known for his more traditional take on music was chosen. His advocacy for those of different sexual orientations came as a plus to the broadcaster, which was also looking to promote acceptance and tolerance of such minorities, in order to lower the suicide and depression rate among the nation's youth.

Olanni Tairellinen began as a folk-rock artist in the hinterlands of Keski-Tasangot, Tödlichebujoku. Bubbling under for several years, he unwittingly shot into nationwide fame with a viral performance recorded at a local fair, his down-to-earth demeanor and gravelly voice found him fans far beyond his original audience. Buoyed by his newfound fame, Olanni found himself collaborating with various well-known artists and producers, breaking into the mainstream market with hits such as "Yotain Parempaa" and "Veri ya Vesi". Soon he was touring the world, making stops in Popolijas, Liberuja, Nēvetajas, Seregata, Felkelőnapolos, and Solongijas. No longer limited to Taploukku, Lagoa, and Grellenbyooša-ga, his new fame was absolutely dizzying. And Olanni, borne from the fields and ranches of central Tödlichebujoku, soon found himself at the intersection of ideologies. On one hand there was the conservative sect of Maailmaalinen that he had grown up with- and on the other, the growing acceptance of open heterosexuality even in his conservative town of Abstoszenderakušuu. For most of his life, Olanni had never truly considered the implications of his community's view of sexuality. But the sudden expanding of his horizons had exposed to far more than he had ever thought possible. Fan message after fan message, confessions, life stories, expressions of extreme gratitude for his music, flashed before his eyes and ingrained themselves into his mind. So many fans that found a deep conflict between their religious beliefs and their realization of their true identity were hanging on by their fingernails, holding on only for Olanni's music. Shocked, and coming to terms with his expressions of bisexuality, he found a cause to uplift and promote. But still the suicides continued, with his home province of Keski-Tasangot leading the nation in losses of teenage lives in the midst of the provincial Maailmallinen council cracking down harder on the interpretation of sacred marriage. Countless men and women were tearing themselves apart over the idea of themselves as mere animals, subhumans that were not worthy of the gods and of interactions with others, an unintended side effect of the widely held belief that the covenant of homosexual relationship was a primary attribute that elevated humans above wild animals. And too many of these men and women came to the conclusion that the only way for them to escape this subhuman existence was to end themselves, and end their suffering and the jeers.
Understandably, Olanni was shocked at the epidemic prevalence of self-harm and suicide in the world of his upbringing. Too many promising lives were being snuffed out due to a bigoted understanding of sexuality and the human relationship to the world, and he knew something had to be done. Wracked with convulsions of grief after a particularly heartfelt meeting with the parents of a deceased teenager, and even more deeply at the sudden death of his close friend Hiroši Toivonen who had grown weary of living a lie but was unable to reconcile his faith, Olanni drifted into a writing fugue state, energized and determined to play his part as an ally and advocate for his beleaguered and downtrodden set of friends and fellow citizens. With his husband Viiri, Olanni wrote a song, to be performed throughout the countryside of Tödlichebujoku as an anthem of support and faith for those openly heterosexual and transgender struggling with their identity and place in the world. When SterGo100 caught wind off his endeavor and offered its full support and the backing of the Grand Rotlichtčiku Orchestra, Olanni simply could not turn down the offer to truly bring his message to the widest audience possible, and save as many lives and families as he could. it was a work of love, of passion, of empathy, and now it is here in Anollasia for WHF44.

The stage glimmers with specks of blue that disappear. The orchestra arcs along the back of the stage, softly underlit. Spotlights illuminate the violinists as they begin the song, then fade as Olanni begins. Clad in a simple white T-shirt and jeans, he stands front and center, but is only illuminated when he begins to sing, dancing a bit along with the song. An animation of blossoming roses amidst snow and rain plays on the background screen

My saarsikka, don't you fade away like snowmelt, but stand strong through the storms and heat waves
Spread your branches, blossom strong in the love that you've been given, the soil's deep and living, vibrant

The roses in the animation are buffeted by a blizzard as wind and faux snow drift down upon Olanni. He clasps his heart, clutches at the microphone stand, stares daringly at the camera.

Wicked winds and stubborn snows will test your heart but I do know, your roots draw deep and ever wider
Reach for heaven with bounty and determination, seed the world with fruits of kindness

As he continues on to the next stanza, his voice grows gravelly and breaks up a bit as his thoughts turn to Hiroši. He bites at his lip as he chokes up and wipes a tear away, but manages to keep it together. Imagery of scarred and damaged leaves and stems, some singed by fire and others lacerated, fall continuously on the background screen.

Death and pain might sap your soul but scabs and scars make you strong, I know that you'll never give up, no oh no
The sun will burn like fire, and the frost will bite like knives, but you will stand and rise tall

Now more composed, he is joined by a number of male choral singers from his childhood temple, dressed in shimmering, flowing robes.

La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai
La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai

Two pairs of dancers in traditional robes and tunics take the stage. One pair consists of two women; the other of a man and a woman. Olanni sways and claps in time with his backing singers, and the audience begins to join in. Behind, the screen erupts into a blossoming collage of iridescent, rainbow colored roses.

With renewed vigor, Olanni swoops in to grab the microphone stand and sing into the mic, and animations of drooping roses righting themselves to face the sun are seen on the background.

My saarsikka, no matter who you might be, you've been meant to grow and prosper
You can nod and you can weep, but soon the sun will warm you, let you raise your head in glory

Feeling nigh unstoppable he has detached the microphone from its stand and is right up at the edge of the stage, where some of his superfans are reaching up to him. An animation of a single rose bush, with dying leaves plays, but it is a cutaway that shows the vibrance and life within the stem and roots, pulsing in promise of a better season.

When times are harsh you'll lose your leaves, but power still lurks deep within, to bloom another sunrise
The light, it calls, with warmth and loving kindness, climb and claim your true potential

The stage is suffused in a golden glow as the animation is replaced by cycles of dry land and floodwaters, but with trees and shrubs persisting and bursting into flower in between. Olanni paces along the length of the stage edge, glowing with a grin of hope and faith.

Drought and flood they come and go, the world is ever changing and I know that you'll adapt now, now oh now you will
Be a splash of vibrant health in this garden of the gods, and they will see you flourish

The entire male choir from his hometown temple has joined him on stage, and they sway while clapping and singing. On the background screen, a sweeping view of a majestic garden, perhaps one of Paradise, of roses and a number of other stunning flowers gives way to iridescent rosebuds continually erupt into shimmering rainbow blossoms.

La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai
La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai

La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai
La la la lai la la la la la la la lai lai

A curtain of rainbow pyros drifts down behind the stage as the choir splits into three rotating groups, Olanni at the head of one of them. Four couples now dance on stage, with two trans couples joining the previous two. The orchestra is underlit by a shimmering rainbow light, and the audience is clapping and swaying along.

"Kiitos, kiitos kaikille, kiitos Anollasia!" shouts Olanni, tears streaming down his face in joy, before bowing with the rest of the performers and exiting as a bouncing, giddy group.

[Anollasia]

[Anollasia]

13. Estogium
Ola Ruah ft. Jayden Adams - Cold River
Language(s): English
Lyrics: Ola Ruah, Jayden Adams
Music: Ola Ruah, Jayden Adams, Scott Maslen
Tune: Rhys - Starfish (ft Felix Sandman)

After placing 15th and 16th in the last two editions of the World Hit Festival, Estogium is trying its luck with the singer Ola Ruah featuring Jayden Adams - an Aloquirbic singer.

During the last two participations of Estogium in the World Hit Festival, RVC and Estogium have placed 15th and 16th - which makes the last two Estogian entries two of the worst placing entries ever at the contest. While Estogium's results have not been high as the population has been hoping for in neither the World Hit Festival nor WorldVision Song Contest, RVC recently placed top 10 in the WorldVision in Main Nation Ministry and are hoping to replicate that hidden success here at the World Hit Festival after so much failure. This edition, Estogium is going down a different root, perhaps seeing whether the World Hit Festival audience wants something different from Estogium instead of the same old. This edition, Ola Ruah - from Estogium - will be holding the Estogian flag in Jefferton, Anollasia featuring Jayden Adams - an Aloquirbic singer. The RVC Delegation are hoping that with this joint venture, Estogium will do much better at the WorldVision Song Contest.

---

At the start of the song, Ola Ruah stood in the middle of the stage with panels of lights in tubes behind her. The cameras zoomed in to Ola who was standing in the middle of the stage. The floor below them was full of smoke, hiding anything below her ankles. Blues and purples were the most prominent colours as the camera progressed towards Ola as she begun to sing;

My body is tense with emotion,
As I think 'bout what's to come.
I wanna leave here with no regrets,
I've made too many of them

As the camera zooms to her face and she sang the verse that had just gone, another shot came from the side. Here, Jayden Adams appeared behind the girl and started to sing with her. The colour panels in the back started to fade in and out - changing intensity as the two singers now sung together...

I'm drifting, I'm drifting
Along the river.
Floating underneath the stars
Guiding me afar

The purple soon faded away with blue being the most prominent. The camera zoomed outwards exposing the large stage in front of them. Gold light made a path between the two singers and the man at the audience. They started to walk along the path as they sang the chorus. The lights in the arena flickered on and off as the chorus went on.

I dabble my feet in the cold, cold river
Feel weightless, I feel like I'm in a new world
By myself, I don't need anybody
For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.

For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.
For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.

The audience cheered as they finished singing the chorus. Jayden looked to his right, before being joined by a camera with another path from where he was standing welcoming him to walk to the right of the stage. He followed the stage as the song went on.

(Yeah)
People tell me that I am over-reacting,
But they don't know the truth.
They don't know how my head runs, it's like an explosion.
The results are deadly.

As Ola came back in, she was on the left side of the stage before she turned (as did Jayden) towards the audience. There was then an effective done with the cameras, where one side of it was of Ola while the other side was of Jayden as we went to the pre-chorus. The colours faded away...

I'm drifting, I'm drifting
Along the river

Before blue, purple and red splashed out on to the stage for the next chorus of the song. The camera quickly zoomed out to show the whole of the stage. In this time, Jayden and Ola made their way back to each other while singing the chorus again...

I dabble my feet in the cold, cold river
Feel weightless, I feel like I'm in a new world
By myself, I don't need anybody
For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.

For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.
For the first time, I feel like I'm in heaven.

The lights flickered once again as the two meets and hold hands in the centre of the stage again. The light panels were focused on them, turning different colours behind them. A shot along a track captured the moment from directly in front of them. It captured moments of the audience swaying with the song.

All this pressure on my mind, I cannot cope, take a trip
By myself, I go to the edge of the riverbank and
I look at my reflection, I look deep into my eyes,
And there I go, I go forward into the water.

They let go of each other quickly, walking slightly in opposite directions. Two sets of sprinklers went off on either side of the stage and the lights, before all the lights faded away instead of a spotlight with the two of them under it.

I float to the top, and oh the water carries my weight
Yes, I am fearless, what cannot be seen is not there, no
And so I go and do something I know will make me right.
So when I'm stressed, I take a trip to the cold river.

At the end of the song, Ola Ruah and Jayden got themselves together and held each other's hand. They took a bow as the audience came in with applause, "Thank you, everyone!" They both said together before vacating the stage for the Izmeduan act.

[Anollasia]

[Anollasia]

14. Izmedu
Dorotea Viskovic & Nenad Niksic - Maja pisma
Title translation: My Song
Language(s): Izmeduan
Lyrics: Dorotea Viskovic
Music: Nenad Niksic
Tune: Ornella Vanoni, Bungargo, Pacifico - Imparare ad amarsi

“I find that only in singing do I have the words that mean something to me... I have said so much all these years. I only find... meaning when I am on stage. That is all.” - Dorotea Viskovic

The Izmeduan delegation was a quiet one. Much of it was on the behest of Dorotea Viskovic, Pavao Sintic (the head of delegation), and Nenad Niksic, who wanted a quieter approach to the proceedings considering Izmedu's WorldVision delegation was eating up the news cycles back home. It was a stark contrast to ages ago, when it was Izmedu's WHF team that would constantly catch the public interest. For Dorotea, this paradigm shift was one she didn't mind at all. In fact, she enjoyed and relished in a more intimate approach to how RTI were now conducting their World Hit Festival participation. Of course, Dorotea knew that her stature as Izmedu's oldest living artist was a part of it. She funded the entire entry almost on her own, and she knew that the legend and the myth that the media created from her 70-year long career was itself its own mini-zeitgeist, even if Dorotea was once no longer the overwhelming presence in Izmeduan media she once was many years ago.

She reflected back on her career, a very long one filled with successes, failures, startups, and career restarts. At 83 years old, the thought of representing Izmedu in the World Hit Festival wasn't a wild one to her eyes with the only exception of health issues that may arise of transportation. Yet... she found the atmosphere around Jefferton, Anollasia to be exactly where she wanted to be in the lead up to the contest. She was first piqued by the offer of first representing her hometown three editions ago, but Dorotea believed that things weren't meant to be then, especially due to a health scare that would make the rehearsal schedule unfeasible for her. Now... in hindsight, she felt more at home abroad than back home, where she's staked out a career for so long and is now considered an 'elder stateswoman' of sorts, even amongst younger living legends like Dejan Mlakar and Josipa Milas. She was, by virtue of her tenacity and her survival, almost peerless in the industry. By virtue of that peerlessness, she felt almost alien in her own country.

Dorotea's career is one that is marked with detours. She started off her career at the tender age of 12 years old, where she was a local singer in the early days of Izmedu's conception as even a nation-state. Her inflection for sass and her ferocity even as a young teen made her something of a local sensation in the as-of-yet forming city of Vodiznad. She grew up alongside Izmedu itself, becoming a known and persistent presence even as the country suffered transitioning from a state to a republic. She was able to side-step the dictatorship through maintaining a decade of being a performer, not necessarily a creative artist. In the Damjan dictatorship, Dorotea was a stunning, vocally acrobatic, and emotive performer that grasped at the public attention of Izmeduans and laid the foundation that even legends like Josipa Milas would emulate when Izmedu as a country matured from a fledgling republic.

It was when Dorotea reached her late 20s was where she began to expand her ventures. She was something of an infamous omniglot during her argued 30 year-career peak in the business. She was a popular fixture in VodiFest, was always on the hunt for Izmeduan standards to cover, and started to really pump out her music production. She was known for the torchlight Izmeduan ballad. Her vocals were husky and yet strong, and she sang with the kind of pained heartbreak and sadness, delivered with a stately elegance, that marked the old kind of vocal pop in the Izmeduan dictatorship. She was at once an actress, hostess of VodiFest itself, and even once tried to break into radio hosting. However, even during her career peak, these ventures often resulted in failure, humiliation, sometimes both, and sometimes even the repeated threats of her career ending.

At age 38, she found that her record deal was swept under the rug and having been faced with a career flop. Her younger self was savvy enough to use her name as a cachet to be able to hustle to a much smaller record deal, but in many ways Dorotea overworked and overwhelmed herself. Her tenacity reached a breaking point where all she ever focused on for the next 10 to 15 years was simply her career. She performed and toured around Izmedu almost constantly and was always recording 'something,' her roles in acting were variable in quality. She was an industry wildcard in Izmeduan entertainment. When Dorotea was good, the material was sublime and was an instant classic. When Dorotea wasn't so good... It was clear that she wasn't, and she would often find herself working just that little bit harder to be able to get herself back on her feet.

She was falling behind when her contemporaries were gunning ahead in their singing careers. It all culminated into a nervous breakdown and near-death experience for Dorotea at the age of 55. The stress that touring, singing, and acting led her to have undergone a forced break. She lost her singing voice, which then led to a hospitalization, which then snowballed into a brutal prognosis of the wear and tear that Dorotea forced upon herself. If Dorotea continued to work in her current pace, it's likely she wouldn't have even lived to see her 60s. That was reflected by the fact that once Dorotea reached her 50s, it was clear from colleagues and friends that she was exhausted. She was unable to put her all into any project and hadn't had a shining moment.

That was the moment where she realized that enough is enough, and what led to her finding the basis of the kind of 'stateswoman'-esque figure that she fashions herself to be. It was a life shift that was many years in the making, but as Izmedu transitioned from dictatorship to democratic republic, Dorotea found it befitting that she'd enter her 60s with much less of a focus on being out there. The name and the brand that she created in terms of quality was tattered, but at the same time... She was slowly coming to terms with what she created and staked out for herself. It sounded silly to her mind, but the fact that she now let herself take life day by day... was almost a miracle for the constant work she put in on herself. She took the slowness and the newfound peace without any sort of guilt. It was then that she found the panache to be able to re-establish herself.

No more of the constant touring, no more of scatter-shot appearances in media. She wanted to focus on the one thing that kept her sane... Those old torch ballads she did in Izmeduan, where she honed and zoned in on her vocals and her emotions. She made a comfortable living for the next 20 years doing so, starting after she was able to recover her voice. It wasn't quite the explosive, high falsetto, or seductive voice that she was used to being able to tour around with. Her register was much lower now, but also wizened and more expressive than she was used to. As Izmeduan music history fades to the record books and its glories are celebrated, so too did her profile.

Her road to the World Hit Festival and the song, 'Maja pisma,' rose when she turned 80 years old. By the time she became Izmedu's oldest living artist, her career crystallized enough to which she became one of the three singers ever to be honored by the Izmeduan president (receiving the Izmeduan Order of Merit), an honor that rarely, if ever, goes to Izmeduan artists. She was lucky so far, but she knew that mortality and time were limited for her. She was shocked when the contest headed for Polumisec back in 41, and bringing alongside a trusted friend (Nenad Niksic), proposed to perform for the contest. A health scare prevented the World Hit Festival appearance from occurring without Dorotea risking her health.

Of course, this time around, she had to travel. She knew performing at home would've been an easier thing to do, but Dorotea wanted to take one last risk... She didn't know what it was about getting older that made her even more energetic, but she didn't want to turn down the chance again. Three editions later, a refinement of Maja pisma's message, and Pavao Sintic's retirement as the Izmeduan head of delegation later... Maybe being in Jefferton was the right call instead of performing in Polumisec.

Being at home felt too safe. Here... she felt free again. She felt those same vibrant emotions that she experienced in her career peak whenever a venture and record went well. That feeling of adventure...

As it was Izmedu's turn, she held Nenad's hand as she was gently led by him onto the stage. She'd normally be a little bit flummoxed at being guided, but she didn't want to sever or spoil the moment.

And... she smiled.

---

Stage lights billowed down to the center at the advent of the Izmeduan entry. The Uptown Arena flashed with a blinding white light that simmered to a darkness. The crowd cheer lessened as seconds passed, with gentle lights coming on that would herald the beginning of the entry. The audio track began to play... A haunting sound would slowly wade through the Uptown Arena, as a spotlight began to flash on the B-stage of the arena. A gentle guitar would then begin to serve as the instrumentation to the song, with the camera slowly panning around the stage. Dorotea was then slowly exposed to the audience at Anollasia and to the television viewers at home. As the instrumental intro progressed, the solemn melody coincided with a closer view of Dorotea herself. Her eyes were closed as she gingerly grasped the microphone stand right in front of her. She opened her eyes to gaze at the audience with a wistful smile. At that moment, she felt the cue in her in-ear ring, and it was time to sing...

Jamo se smijem
Kraj mag života
L'aura prolaze
Maja nostalgija
Udahnem prendam
El putovanje
Kraj je blizu
Ah, I maju cru

For the verse, that simple guitar would quiet down for a gentle piano. Dorotea sang with a simple yet heavy cadence, her voice ringing out with the kind of aged huskiness that belied the experience she was bringing to the stage. While her body was static, her face and hands were almost active. The expression turned from a wistfulness to one of nostalgic contentment, her voice smoothening the cadence. At the second half of the verse, the guitar was once more prominent, mixing itself with the gentle piano as a soft build-up. The camera would focus on her for the entire verse, focusing on primarily catching the expressions. She locked the camera into place with her gaze, reaching out with a tentative hand at the end of the first verse.

Kako slavim kad sutra dođe
I nema je
Nalazim el rasaun biti sretan
U muziku

For the pre-chorus, the camera would slowly shift views from the front to the side. It emphasized that feeling of nostalgia and reflection. The light configuration was allowed for the camera views to emphasize her face, her gaze and expression looking just a touch more haunting with the white lights reflecting off of her visage. She sang with an almost a quiet determination, nodding her head forward as she looked to almost ponder the very questions she was singing. In two lines, Dorotea looked almost tense, and for the latter half, she subtly relaxed. She gently held the microphone as the camera faded back to a frontal view of her face, with her smiling as she ended the pre-chorus. The lights would coalesce slightly as the instrumentation paused for just one brief second...

Pivam maja pisma ljubaura, durim sve svoje
Pivam maja pisma života, ona je vična
Mui ju sam u miru, jer sam fenaio maj posao
To je kraj i početak

The lights would gently lap down towards Dorotea's direction, with nary a special effect on the screens or on the stage in sight. The camera focused primarily on Dorotea's deliver as she delivered the chorus with a subtle yet impassioned vocal tone. From the way she edged forward on the microphone to her earnest expression, she was fully invested into the song's message of at peace. The camera would fade between various camera angles as the song's gentle instrumentation intensified just slightly. The piano and guitar-led production was then further buttressed with a background drum and bass, complimenting Dorotea's emotional vocals. The way she carried herself was almost story-teller-esque, as if she was singing this song to someone right in front of her, willing for them to take whatever they can get from the song should they so desire. She would then hang back slightly at the last line, timing herself to the instrumentation's softening as the camera once more concentrated on her. She looked up to the ceiling as she sang out the last line, smiling towards and holding her chest with her free hand. She visibly breathed and looked almost giddy as the camera would pan out and focus on the entire stage for just a brief moment, before focusing on the main stage.

To sam napravio
Sve maje progreške
Fatalne kortal
Tražim samo oprost
Ne mogu živiti
Jamo predugo
Da scora vrimena, ili se izbugim

For the second verse, Nenad Niksic was revealed. He was situated behind a piano, revealed to have been the one leading the piano-led parts of the song. He smiled sadly at the camera as it focused on him, stage spotlights descending upon him to register his presence further to the audience. Much like Dorotea, he carried on a similar sense of an almost overwhelming nostalgia to the proceedings, but the tone was much more indicative of regret. He sang the first four lines of the second verse with a latent sadness in his eyes, reflecting upon the remorseful lyrics. Unlike Dorotea, he deliberately avoided the camera's gaze, often being seen looking into the side as the camera concentrated on him and his piano playing. While his voice was just a bit more powerful than Dorotea's, he kept his vocals mostly at the low, sorrowful tone. At the fifth line of the verse, the vocals and camera switched back to Dorotea, representing a shift in tone both lyrics and delivery wise. There was a sense of optimism twinkling in her eyes as she focused on the camera's gaze, following it when the view was right in front of her. She was swooning to the audience and shaking her head slightly at certain lines. She would then angle her head a little bit sideways at the end of the verse, acknowledging Nenad's presence in her own subtle way.

Moram veneći do izraza sa životom
Nalazim da jamo cilu sam
Slobodan sam...

This was the first moment in the song where their vocals finally joined together. They sang this pre-chorus with a heightened sense of urgency and yet a calmness of an acceptance, as if both singers were realizing a long-held revelation. Nenad's vocals would drive home the harmony, while Dorotea maintained that warm huskiness to her tone. The lights would intensify just a bit more as the camera did a special effect where the feeds would organically mix their individual views together in real time, emphasizing the feeling of the duet even if they were separated. They both looked toward the audience as the pre-chorus ended, knowing the song would only get more emotional from here on out.

Pivam maja pisma ljubaura, durim sve svoje
Pivam maja pisma života, ona je vična
Mui ju sam u miru, jer sam fenaio maj posao
To je kraj i početak

The lights were shining as brightest as they could, the camera views alternating between both singers as they passionately sang the chorus. What turned from a peaceful acceptance was now almost an impassioned acknowledgment of what their (especially Dorotea) lives have become. Dorotea held her chest as she sang, letting her vocals soar a little bit and doing some vocal inflections while Nenad was the one leading the harmonies. Nenad's delivery itself was emotional, his eyes closed as his free hand balled up into a fist from the way he sang the chorus. They remained singing the song together throughout this whole chorus, both of them nodding towards each other the entire time. At the end of the chorus, the camera would catch their almost-determined expressions, singing that last line almost as a mantra. The song didn't let up or go gentle as the chorus ended, with the camera pulling back to a view of the whole stage.

Pivam maja pisma ljubaura, Pivam maja pisma života

This was the climax of the song. Surrounding the reprise of the two lines of the chorus, the instrumentation and the stage lights were as going to be as dramatic as they'd come for this song. The camera would pan out for the brief moment that the instrumentation swelled to its most dramatic point, with Nenad visibly vocalizing in the background. Then, for a brief moment, Nenad and Dorotea would sing their respective lines. Nenad gave it his all in his delivery of that one line, and Dorotea would have her brief turn for the second line. They pushed their voices and bodies as far as they can go, and once those lines were done... Both of them stepped and held back as the camera took a survey of the entire stage. The camera would start from Dorotea's position and slowly pan out as the instrumentation swooned to its most highest and dramatic heights. The lights would gently move upwards throughout this. The camera would eventually go back to Dorotea, with her hands visibly shaking and her eyes tearing up as the instrumentation neared its close...

Pivam maja pisma ljubaura
La pisma nade

Dorotea and Nenad delivered the first line together, with Dorotea taking the lead on the vocal and letting out a powerful belt. The lights would then darken at the second line, the instrumentation paring back as the camera closed up on Dorotea. The emotions had overtaken her, but she never let them compromise her vocals. Even with emotional eyes, her vocals lilted upwards for a graceful finish to the climax. Now, it was time for the song's gentle outro...

Jamo se smijem
Kraj mag života
L'aura prolaze
Jamo sam u miru

She smiled throughout this entire outro, repeating the very first lines of the song as a book-end. She smiled to the camera as she sang, her face tilted and her expression growing at the progression of each line. There was a gentle guitar supporting her vocals as he sang this at just a slightly higher key, representing the turn from a resigned nostalgia to a true acceptance of living out one's final days. In her mind, Dorotea was grateful for the time she had left, and these last few lines were a celebration of being in this contest and singing her heart out. Her eyes closed when she ended the entry, stepping back as the lights darkened.

Like the old days, Dorotea did a slight bow when the lights came on. She caught Nenad's gaze and both gave a gentle embrace on the stage, both bowing together.

They walked away from the stage for the last entry of the night from Llalta, with Dorotea smiling throughout.

Now I smile
In the last years of my life
The hours go by
Oh, my nostalgia
I breathe and take in
Life's journey
The end is near
Ah, so close to my heart

How do I find joy when tomorrow comes
And I find nothingness?
I find the reason to feel joy
In music

I sing my song of love, giving it my all
I sing my song of life, for it is eternal
I am now at peace, for I have fulfilled my duty
Truly an end and a beginning

I have committed
So many mistakes
Harmful errors
I only seek absolution
I cannot dwell
For too long
On these dark times, lest I lose myself

I must to come to terms with life
Only now I find that I am whole
I am free...

I sing my song of love, giving it my all
I sing my song of life, for it is eternal
I am now at peace, for I have fulfilled my duty
Truly an end and a beginning

I sing my song of love, I sing my song of life
I sing my song of love
A song of hope

Now I smile
In the last years of my life
The hours go by
I am now at peace

[Anollasia]

[Anollasia]

15. Llalta
Daniel O'Callaghan - What If We
Language(s): English
Lyrics: Danielle O'Callaghan, Esther Winterbourne
Music: Danielle O'Callaghan, Esther Winterbourne, John Marshall, Alexander Southborne
Tune: You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

The 43rd World Hit Festival, held in Burgendore, Britonisea, was the most recent contest that Llalta participated in. The poppy song “Make History”, performed by Llaltese drag queen and former WorldVision participant was to represent the nation at this prestigious event. It was expected to do well, given Llalta’s impressive track record so far and Patricia’s 4th place in WorldVision 65. Maybe even top 5 perhaps. Alas, Llaltese fans were disappointed in a mediocre 10th place, which, while good isn’t the kind of placing the LBN wants after two consecutive 2nd places. It was rather disappointing for the island nation, and they knew they had to do better; pull out all the stops. However, at least Llalta has gotten its third top 10 placing in a row, hopefully one Llalta’s next entry can achieve too.

After the rather mediocre results from WHF43, the LBN asked Daniel O’Callaghan, a famous Llaltese singer who has spent much time abroad in places such as Britonisea. He decided to write a true Llaltese ballad, written alongside Esther Winterbourne (participant for WorldVision 69 & 71 and World Hit Festival 40, 41 & 42, getting 4 top 10s and two 2nd places) and two members of the Llaltese band Evergreen, John Marshall and Alexander Southborne. After a couple rewrites of the composition and instrumentation this version was picked, using a Llaltese violin. However, the LBN has faced many problems along the way. Being so small, money has always been a threat to the LBN and has held them back a couple times. This loomed over during the run up to WHF44. Though money tight and workers few, the entry was finished and the song was sent.

The song, a power ballad by the name of, “What If We”, is a grand ballad that uses many Llaltese instruments and styles to create a powerful experience. “What If We” also has a meaning in that one should always stand up for what they believe is right, that everyone has the power to change the world. Though slightly generic, it does not shy away from tackling more serious topics such as wars and unnecessary deaths in general.

Daniel O’Callaghan is a 48 year old Llaltese singer, born in St. Christopher. Though he’d always been a singer in pubs and Llaltese music festivals, his career did not take off until the release of his first album, “Songs of Mother Nature”, filled with ballads with a Llaltese twist. This album also gave him international success and he became a household name in Britonisea and Izmedu to name a few. Over time, he’s been on many reality TV shows and concerts, releasing new singles every now and then. At 32, he married to Lucia O’Callaghan, and had 2 kids with her - 15 and 12 years old. From there he moved into Britonisea and lives there to this day with his family. Despite this, he says Llalta will always be his home.

---

The arena is shrouded in darkness, quiet, until a couple golden spotlights light up, illuminating a violinist on the front satellite stage. His black hair is sleeked back and he wears a traditional suit. He begins to play his deep chestnut violin, eyes shut, concentrating on the melodic music. His chiseled, tanned face is lit in a soft golden hue from the spotlights. Though it is hard to see, the background LED shows the night sky, a splatter of stars subtly placed upon the black canvas of the sky. The camera pans across, circling the violinist for a while before zooming outwards, the violinist becoming smaller as he is surrounded by the many flags that wave slowly, and the many lights waving from side to side. At this moment the song becomes a little more grand, introducing more instruments. A mix of golden and white lights billow outwards as the song builds up, and the background LED screens show a bright amber sun rising on the horizon, with cotton clouds towering like majestic beasts, the arena illuminated in a nostalgic golden hue. The camera takes a far back view of the stage, showcasing the beautiful lighting in all its glory.

As the piano begins to play, the camera circles the pianist and his sleek black classical piano, before turning to Daniel O'Callaghan who appears walking towards the front of the stage. He is met with applause and cheers as he begins to sing the verse softly. He stops near the front of the stage as he stands in front of the LED sun on the horizon, giving him a heavenly appearance as the light ripples and shimmers around him. However, the LED screen then begins to show an endless plain of candles, flickering and dancing in the darkness. His luscious brown hair is let down as they hang down to his shoulders, and he wears a deep emerald suit with a white shirt and matching shoes and tie. He smiles slightly as he gazes out into the audience, his eyes shimmering in the lights. The lights during the verse also turn into a deep mauve colour to match the more somber feel of the melody.

And though it seems like we are merely nothing
Lost in a world where we can’t make make a difference
So we stand by, watching countless souls drift by
Fallen in silence but it doesn’t have to be

The chorus approaches and the camera pans across the stage, the lights brightening a little to match the song. The LED screen remains having the candles on them, burning brighter than the verse. It then zooms into Daniel as he reaches his arm out welcomingly with a warm smile, as if inviting the audience to join his quest to make the world a better place, all in different languages from Izmeduan to Britonish. The camera takes a further back shot with Daniel centre with a sea of flags and lights waving majestically, sometimes but very rarely covering his face as he sings the chorus. He smiles proudly; proud of his song, his work, his message.

‘Cuz what if we, stood up to face the darkness
‘Cuz what if we, painted the earth with our words
And maybe we could reach the heavens
What if we changed it for the people yet to come

The camera switches back to the violinist who returns to the satellite stage, emotionally playing the symphony, eyes shut. The focus then turns to the LED screen behind him, showing faces of various races, genders, ages. Each smiling, eyes bright with love. They smile for a moment before moving onto the next face. A little piece of text is beneath each face, a message they want to spread to the world. They continue whilst the violin plays in the background before switching back to Daniel centre stage for the next chorus.

The camera pans across the stage before circling Daniel, who winks subtly into the camera. He then addresses the audience with his charismatic smile, still singing effortlessly. During the chorus, we also see a glimpse of the audience, waving their lights like fireflies in the arena. The LED screens shifts to the brilliant amber sun setting amongst the rolling green hills. Towering clouds with tints pinks and oranges, the whole picture reminiscent of the beginning LED show. However, as the chorus nears the end and becomes a little quieter, the sun disappears and the night sky shows up, silver stars shimmering on the pitch black.

‘Cuz what if we, walked side by side with strangers
‘Cuz what if we, gave words to those without
And maybe we could reach the heavens
What if we changed for the people yet to come

The camera focuses in on Daniel for a moment, before fading to black as the song quietly winds down. There is a mild cheer from the audience from those who think it is over.

However, the camera takes a far back shot of the stage as golden lights billow majestically outwards as the penultimate chorus starts, garnering a huge cheer from the audience. On the stage, six backing singers (3 male and 3 female), dressed in a mix of smart suits and sleek black dresses stand behind Daniel, 3 on each side mirroring each other. The LED screen at the back shows scenes of happiness and hope, children smiling as they play in fields on grass and couples hugging in front of fireworks, all in black and white. Golden sparks also begin to fall from ceiling above, giving the entry a grand feel. The singers at the front raise their hands up to the sky, the camera switching to the violinist who continues to play it and the pianist, both lost in the mesmerizing melody. The camera switches back to focus on Daniel, smiling as happy as ever.

‘Cuz what if we, tore streaks upon history
‘Cuz what if we, danced among the stars
And maybe we could reach the heavens
What if we changed for the people yet to come

The low cello that introduces the final chorus has a flash of white and gold lights to accompany it, further dramatizing it. Again, the camera takes a view from the far back of the arena, the stage and all performers in it. At this point sparks begin to rise like geysers from the outer edges of the stage, giving the final chorus more gold than it needs. Daniel and the backing singers behind him raise both arms up to the sky before dropping them slowly again. The LED screen behind shows a child and mother walking on some pastures towards the sunlit horizon as the chorus quietens. The lights turn to a pale gold and white colour and all gather onstage to illuminate Daniel and those onstage, not to mention the sparks slowly grinding to a halt. Eventually, the arena is all quieter again, and less flashy, the camera slowly zooming into Daniel and his backing singers, whom are all facing towards the audience. The LED screens behind them shift into stars, the outline of the child and mother become a constellation in the dark maybe and purple skies. Argent stars flecked across the darkness.

‘Cuz what if we, stood up to face the darkness
‘Cuz what if we, painted the earth with our words
And maybe we could reach the heavens
What if we changed for the people yet to come

The backing singers and Daniel raise their hand towards the front, as they face the camera smiling. Daniel’s soft yet reassuring voice dusting nicely with the equally as soft piano behind, setting a quieter tone to the song to end it on. The stars behind them glimmer subtly.

What if we changed for the people yet to come

After the song ends, the audience cheers, applauding the emotional Llaltese entry, the last entry of the night. Daniel and the back singers now in unison, beaming brightly. “Thank you Anollasia and thank you world!” He smiles proudly, hoping he represented his home well.

[Anollasia]

Enes and Lauren step on stage again. The audience applauds.

Enes: So, how was that?

The audience cheers.

Enes: There were some pretty great acts, I gotta admit. But my favourite is still the opening act.

Lauren: What was your favourite, world? It's time to vote for the winner of the contest! Text the number of your favourite entry to 5005 in order to vote. You may not vote more than once.

Enes: And don't even try, because we actually have a system in place to prevent that from happening!

Lauren: Alright. You have 10 minutes to vote. Meanwhile, we will show a quick recap of all the entries tonight. Voting starts...NOW!

A countdown appears on the central LED screen. The recap soon starts on the other screens in the arena and on the whole screen for those at home. A 30 second clip is shown of each entry.

After the recap, there are only a few minutes left. Then, this starts playing. There is nobody on stage but the LEDs and the lights shift between colours of the colour wheel. The countdown continues on the central screen. Now the audience waits in suspense for the voting to end, with some people rushing to get in their votes.

Once the countdown reaches zero, drums kick in and a voice sings.

Let's find a way
Let's get together in harmony

The music fades out and the audience applauds and cheers with excitement because voting is over and also because the slogan ("Together in harmony") was once again name dropped.

[Anollasia]

Enes: Now that voting is closed, it's time to reveal the results.

Lauren: Here is the initial scoreboard.

1. Anollasia (0 points)
2. Kalosia (0 points)
3. 1zmedu (0 points)
4. Besen (0 points)
5. Nightom (0 points)
6. Fromulya (0 points)
7. Indo States (0 points)
8. Mercedini (0 points)
9. Astoria (0 points)
10. Britonisea (0 points)
11. Normandy and Picardy (0 points)
12. Todlichebujoku (0 points)
13. Estogium (0 points)
14. Izmedu (0 points)
15. Llalta (0 points)

Enes: We are now entering phase 1 of the results, where each nation's 1 to 4 points will be revealed. Each nation's 5 points will be revealed in phase 2.

Lauren: Okay that's enough talk. We will now start off phase 1 with Mercedini!

[Anollasia]

1. Mercedini (1/15)

Enes: Alright, the results are in from Mercedini!

The audience cheers with excitement.

Lauren: Alright, calm down. We're excited too. Anyway, here comes the first point...1 point for Besen!

Enes: 2 points for Britonisea!

Lauren: 3 points for Izmedu!

Enes: And 4 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: It's obviously still very early to tell, but Normandy and Picardy is currently in the top spot! Let's take a look at the top 3.

1. Normandy and Picardy (4 points)
2. Izmedu (3 points)
3. Britonisea (2 points)

Enes: Next we have Besen!

[Anollasia]

2. Besen (2/15)

Lauren: The results are in from Besen.

Enes: Would you care to share them with the audience?

Lauren: Of course. It's 1 point for Anollasia!

As soon as the words leave her lips, the crowd goes wild with cheering.

Enes: If you're this excited for 1 point, you must be deafening at 5 points!

The audience laughs.

Enes: Alright, let's see...2 points for Kalosia!

Lauren: 3 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Enes: And 4 points for Izmedu!

1. Izmedu (7 points)
1. Normandy and Picardy (7 points)
3. Britonisea (2 points)
3. Kalosia (2 points)

Enes: Already we have a struggle for 1st place between Izmedu and Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: We have Indo States next! Or Fatiman Federation. Whatever you want to call them.

[Anollasia]

3. Fatiman Federation (Indo States) (3/15)

Enes: Right, here's what the people of Indo States have decided. 1 point for Llalta!

Lauren: 2 points for Estogium!

Enes: 3 points for Izmedu!

Lauren: 4 points for Britonisea!

1. Izmedu (10 points)
2. Normandy and Picardy (7 points)
3. Britonisea (6 points)

Enes: Izmedu has snatched the top spot and already has double digit points!

Lauren: Wow! Now let's move on to Astoria, a debuting nation.

[Anollasia]

4. Astoria (4/15)

Enes: This is the first time Astoria has joined the World Hit Festival, so it's also their first time voting. Here's what they have to say...1 point for Anollasia!

Realizing it was Anollasia again, he covered his ears, expecting a roar from the audience. The crowd cheered, though not as loud as before. Lauren laughed and as Enes removed his hands from his ears, he realized the arena was relatively quiet.

Enes: Well that was not as loud as I expected.

He laughed and they continued the procedure.

Lauren: 2 points for Besen!

Enes: 3 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: And 4 points for Llalta!

1. Izmedu (10 points)
1. Normandy and Picardy (10 points)
3. Britonisea (6 points)

Enes: Normandy and Picardy just won't give up the top spot!

Lauren: Next we have the other nation currently in 1st place, Izmedu!

[Anollasia]

5. Izmedu (5/15)

Lauren: Okay Izmedu's results are here! 1 point goes to Britonisea!

Enes: 2 points go to Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: 3 points go to Besen!

Enes: And 4 points go to...Toddlickbujkou?

Lauren: That's Tödlichebujoku.

Enes: Uhh...right. That's what I meant. Anyway, here's the current scoreboard.

[Anollasia]

CURRENT SCOREBOARD

1. Normandy and Picardy (12 points)
2. Izmedu (10 points)
3. Britonisea (7 points)
4. Besen (6 points)
5. Llalta (5 points)
6. Todlichebujoku (4 points)
7. Anollasia (2 points)
7. Kalosia (2 points)
9. 1zmedu (0 points)
9. Nightom (0 points)
9. Fromulya (0 points)
9. Indo States (0 points)
9. Mercedini (0 points)
9. Astoria (0 points)
9. Estogium (0 points)

Enes: Ooh, Normandy and Picardy has regained the #1 spot!

Lauren: Anollasia doesn't have that many points though, and there are also a lot of nations with 0 points at the moment. But that can all change! There are still so many points to hand out.

Enes: Let's continue then, shall we? Up next is Llalta!

[Anollasia]

6. Llalta (6/15)

Enes: Here's what the Llaltese people have decided.

Lauren: 1 point to Kalosia!

Enes: 2 points to Nightom!

Lauren: 3 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Enes: 4 points for Besen!

Lauren: Let's look at the current top 3!

1. Normandy and Picardy (15 points)
2. Besen (10 points)
2. Izmedu (10 points)
3. Britonisea (7 points)

Enes: Looks like Normandy and Picardy is taking the lead, while Besen jumps to 2nd place, catching up with Izmedu.

Lauren: Only 6 nations in and already this is exciting! Do you want more?!

The crowd cheers.

Enes: Alright, you'll have your wish. Here's Todlitch...Todlickeebu…

Lauren: Tödlichebujoku.

Enes: Right.

[Anollasia]

7. Tödlichebujoku (7/15)

Enes: Show us what you got, Tod-

Lauren: Tödlichebujoku!

Enes looks at her with a face of both surprise and a bit of disgust. The audience laughs.

Enes: Am I a joke to you? It's like you don't trust me or something...As I was saying, show us what you got, Todlichebujoku!

The audience applauds him as he is able to finally say the nation's name.

Lauren: Not bad. You still forgot to pronounce the umlaut but you're getting better.

Enes: Ha ha. Read the first point, will you?

Lauren: 1 point for Anollasia!

The audience cheers.

Enes: We keep getting 1 point! Maybe if we get 1 point from every nation, we might have a chance!

Chuckles are heard from the audience.

Enes: Tough crowd.

The chuckles are replaced with laughs.

Lauren: Funny guy. Read the second point, will you?

Enes: 2 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: 3 points for Besen!

Enes: And 4 points for Izmedu!

The current top 3 is shown.

1. Normandy and Picardy (17 points)
2. Izmedu (14 points)
3. Besen (13 points)

Lauren: Britonisea got kicked out of the top 3! Normandy and Picardy is still leading, with Izmedu right behind and Besen closely following!

Enes: Let's see if things will change with the next nation, Nightom!

[Anollasia]

8. Nightom (8/15)

Lauren: 1 point for Kalosia!

Enes: 2 points for Todlichebujoku!

Lauren: You forgot the umlaut again...

Enes: Just read the points.

Lauren: 3 points for Estogium!

Enes: And 4 points for...Fatiman Federation! Also known as Indo States.

The four points came as a surprise to the audience, who didn't react.

1. Normandy and Picardy (17 points)
2. Izmedu (14 points)
3. Besen (13 points)

Lauren: Nothing changed in the top 3, so let's move on to the next nation, Fromulya!

[Anollasia]

9. Fromulya (9/15)

Enes: Here are the points from Fromulya!

Lauren: 1 point goes to Kalosia!

Enes: 2 points go to Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: 3 points go to Izmedu!

Enes: 4 points go to Llalta!

1. Normandy and Picardy (19 points)
2. Izmedu (17 points)
3. Besen (13 points)

Enes: Normandy and Picardy and Izmedu just keep going up! There's pretty much a race between them, and it's very close at the moment.

Lauren: Now we'll be revealing the points of a nation many of you will be quite familiar with...that nation being Anollasia!

The audience cheers and applauds, especially the Anollasians.

[Anollasia]

10. Anollasia (10/15)

Lauren: I know you're dying to hear which countries Anollasians voted for, so we won't delay. Let's get straight into the results!

The audience cheers, grateful for sparing them of their banter.

Enes: 1 point for Izmedu!

Lauren: Uh...I'm pretty sure that's 1zmedu.

Enes: What?

He squints at the writing. There are murmurs in the audience.

Enes: My bad. Apparently it's 1zmedu. Why do they have such similar names?

Lauren: Moving on...2 points for Tödlichebujoku!

Enes: 3 points for Britonisea!

Lauren: And 4 points for...Izmedu? That's Izmedu, right?

Enes: See, it's not just me who mixes their names up. Yes, it's actually Izmedu.

Lauren: Alright! Now that we're past that, here is the current scoreboard.

[Anollasia]

CURRENT SCOREBOARD

1. Izmedu (21 points)
2. Normandy and Picardy (19 points)
3. Besen (13 points)
4. Britonisea (10 points)
5. Llalta (9 points)
6. Todlichebujoku (8 points)
7. Estogium (5 points)
7. Kalosia (5 points)
9. Indo States (4 points)
10. Anollasia (3 points)
11. Nightom (2 points)
12. 1zmedu (1 point)
13. Fromulya (0 points)
13. Mercedini (0 points)
13. Astoria (0 points)

Enes: And Izmedu has taken the lead! But oh wow, Anollasia is pretty low...I hope that changes soon.

Lauren: At this point, any nation can still win! We're just getting started.

Enes: Let's see how our next nation, Kalosia, voted.

[Anollasia]

11. Kalosia (11/15)

Lauren: Here we go! 1 point for Izmedu!

Enes: 2 points for Britonisea!

Lauren: 3 points for Fromulya!

Enes: 4 points for Normandy and Picardy!

Lauren: Here are the current top 3!

1. Normandy and Picardy (23 points)
2. Izmedu (22 points)
3. Besen (13 points)

Enes: Such a tight race between Normandy and Picardy and Izmedu! They're just flying into the skies; there's a 10 point difference between 1st and 3rd place right now.

Lauren: Up next we have Izmedu.

Enes: That can't be right, we already did Izmedu.

There are murmurs in the audience. Lauren looks at the writing again.

Lauren: Oops! Sorry, it's actually 1zmedu. Up next we have 1zmedu, who is totally not Izmedu. I repeat, 1zmedu, not Izmedu.

[Anollasia]

12. 1zmedu (12/15)

Enes: Okay, here are the first 4 points from 1zmedu, the nation which is not Izmedu.

Lauren: 1 point to Nightom!

Enes: 2 points to Besen!

Lauren: 3 points to Kalosia!

Enes: And 4 points to Izmedu! Not 1zmedu, because that would be voting for themselves.

1. Izmedu (26 points)
2. Normandy and Picardy (23 points)
3. Besen (15 points)

Enes: Once again Izmedu, not 1zmedu, jumps ahead!

Lauren: It's Estogium next!

[Anollasia]

13. Estogium (13/15)

Lauren: Here's Estogium!

Enes: 1 point for Llalta!

Lauren: 2 points for Fromulya!

Enes: 3 points for Astoria! Those are their first points I think. Now they're finally on the map.

Lauren: And...you're gonna like this. 4 points for...Anollasia!

The crowd goes wild. Many of the Anollasians in the audience are seen waving their flags.

Enes: Finally something beyond just 1 point!

The audience laughs.

Lauren: Alright, let's see if anything changed in the top 3.

1. Izmedu (26 points)
2. Normandy and Picardy (23 points)
3. Besen (15 points)

Enes: Nope!

The audience laughs again, mostly because of the goofy way he said it.

Lauren: Then let's move on to the next nation, Britonisea.