WorldVision Song Contest 104 | IC | Mariensbourg, Carrelie

[Axuva]

Withdrawn

[Nihilitia]

withdrawn </3

[Jencilland]

Ooh La La, Jencilland has withdrawn!

[Aenglide]

Country Name: Aenglide
Artist Name: AnÿmeHouse
Song Title: Upside-Down World
Languages: English

Music: Dav Erik Emundssen, Peter Emmerik, Stig Ænverke
Lyrics: Syd Jatlön, Edvard Yldan

Tune: McFly - Star Girl

The 103rd Worldvision Song Contest recently concluded and took place in Richmond, StrayaRoos for the nation’s first ever hosting, and it saw Aenglide, who was represented by the Brjdstad pop singer-songwriter Mia Knarvik perform her emotion-story club dance bop “Deep Inside” in the eleventh position. In the end, her performance resulted in Aenglide scoring an incredibly desirable fourth place out of twenty-six entries, and received a very large score of 175 points, which also included four sets of twelve-points from the jury votes, which was a truly humbling sight. 175 points were also shared in a three-way tie between the entries from The Spiritual Republic of Caryton, and Plangainer. However, because of the four sets of 12 points that Aenglide had received from the jury vote, it enabled Aenglide to get that extra boost and to jump up to fourth place.

It was a very great performance and showed to be popular amongst the jury, where it placed second, and the televote where it was sixth. As mentioned previously, Mia Knarvik had received four sets of 12 points in the jury vote, from the juries of The Hlhata States, Placely Placington, StrayaRoos and Mister X, in the respective order of the point announcements. The song was very close to reaching the podium into third place, but was just unable to cling on to the third spot by 12 points. Despite not making it to third place and completing the podium collection for Aenglide, it was still the best entry for Aenglide since Aenglide’s home soil win, which was performed by Jannix and Eva Kújlora and their song “Way Of Life'' back in Worldvision 98 on home soil in Keterig, Aenglide. It also replaced VALKÆRJA’s “Come And Take Me”, which was Aenglide’s Worldvision entry back in Worldvision 101 in Lipa, Besen, as the previous holder of the third-best placing entry for Aenglide in Worldvision, also being behind rock band The Mercantiles and their song “Benevolent Frequencies” which made a runners-up placing in Worldvision 97 in Norfolk Pinewoods, Beepee.

The song remained very popular, not only within Aenglide but also the Worldvision-participant nations. It only managed to peak the charts on the local Aenglish Weekly Music Charts, but stayed on top of the list for about nearly a month, trying to fight for the first position against mostly TikTok songs that really don’t deserve to be on the national charts. The song was modern. It was fresh. It was contemporary. It was a significant improvement from the previous entry that Aenglide had sent to Worldvision 102 back in Thatcher City in Mister X, which was the relatively unpopular and middle-range scoring song “Harrowing Streets” by the rock band Den Vókteren. That song felt like less of a Worldvision entry and more like the first song you would find on a nihilistic emo teen’s Spotify playlist.

Deep Inside was a breath of fresh air, and sounded like a classic Aenglish pop song. It is now heard as the usual song at the club, and it’s also become popular among LGBTQ+ groups. Even the famous party-going Achaeans gave the song their seal of approval, citing the song as a “gay club dance track”. It became a musical icon, and this helped after Worldvision, when Mia Knarvik started to gain positive popularity, as her music exploded and she gained more followers on her social media sites, with many international people following her as well. Her music began to take off and her musical career was beginning to be recognised majorly, even if she didn’t win, or let alone reach the top three stage of the contest. Mia couldn’t be any more happier about the result and what Worldvision has done for her life.

But, now that Mia’s fame has skyrocketed and Worldvision 103 is over, how was Aenglide going to top that excellent result? Regardless of a podium placement or not, it now seems difficult to improve the entries, and aim for the top three. Well, ÆTV was thinking the exact same thing after Worldvision 103, and they had to hunt for a band that has the ability to climb to an even higher placement, for a potential third place, runners-up, or even maybe a win. That is why ÆTV hired the team at æmusic, which is ÆTV’s music industry partner corporation for music from Aenglide, to find the next act to perform at Worldvision 104 in Mariensbourg, Carrelie. Thankfully, it wasn’t too long of a search before ÆTV found the pop rock band that was hopefully going to be another shining star for Aenglide, AnÿmeHouse. Shortly after, ÆTV made the grand announcement that they would be representing Aenglide in the 104th Worldvision Song Contest with the song “Upside-Down World”.

Last time we were in Carrelie, we were in another city named Densmouth, for the 99th Worldvision Song Contest, one contest before the grand centenary, and the first contest after Aenglide’s first hosting. As reigning champions at the time of the contest, we sent the wonderful Marja Bjárnisdoter with her breakup dance-pop hit “Þe élsk fðú?”. The song (without counting the Old Aenglic entries from Worldvision 93 and 94) was Aenglide’s first entry in Aenglic, and placed right in the middle at twelfth out of 38 entries with 157 points. Not a bad place for Aenglide’s first Aenglic entry, but will our second entry on Carrelian soil prove to be better than Worldvision 99? It’s the nation’s third hosting, and as the famous saying goes, “Third time’s a charm”, so time will only tell.

The band AnÿmeHouse. From left to right; Dav Erik Emundssen, Syd Jatlön, Stig Ænverke, and Peter Emmerik.

AnÿmeHouse is a pop rock band formed in 2009 in the town of Vekilulas in the rural region of Svardland, in north-central Aenglide. It consists of four members who are, in order of the above photo; guitarist Dav Erik Emundssen, singer-songwriter Syd Jatlön, guitarist and backing vocalist Stig Ænverke and drummer Peter Emmerik. The band originated as a handful of school friends that were all interested in music, within a small tight-knit community where practically everyone knows eachother. Vekilulas, their hometown, only has around ~2,000 residents and is located adjacent to the Gulf of Aenglide, the largest bay in Aenglide. It’s a fairly cosy village and is cold because it’s in the northern areas closer to the poles, it gets battered by the harsh, wintry blasts from the Gulf of Aenglide in the north, and, well, because it’s Aenglide. Enough said there. These climates forced the AnÿmeHouse boys to stay indoors, which gave them more time to play around with the instruments, before finally establishing the band as soon as they left school.

The band’s name has an interesting etymology. It’s named after the city of Anÿme in Darkmania, which was where lead singer Syd Jatlön lived for a couple of years in a suburban house, and it ultimately stuck as the name after Syd randomly decided on it. Since then, they’ve stayed true to their name origins and have headed to Anÿme, as well as other cities in Darkmania and Novapax as a whole for concerts and live shows. It’s a bit of a situation that is similar to the band A Friend In London, which is not actually from London nor England; but represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Another example like this is Architecture In Helsinki, a former band not from Finland, but, you guessed it, Australia.

AnÿmeHouse has had a few charting songs and albums in Aenglide, and their musical style is pop rock with songs that have cartoony or fantastical lyrics and themes such as their song “Upside-Down World”. They’re a young band age-wise, with all of the members currently being in their twenties. This young band is what makes the band stand out from others; as usual bands in Aenglide are found to have members well into their thirties years, or older. One critic has stated that it gives a fresher feel. Once they were announced as Aenglide’s Worldvision 104 act, they were contrasted positively with the Worldvision 102 act, Den Vókteren, who were described as “a band that nobody wants to see anymore because they are way past their time”. Aenglide’s official broadcaster ÆTV felt that this young, modern and creative band was a good way forward in terms of Aenglide’s rock Worldvision entries.

Cover for the 2022 single “Upside-Down World”

The song that has been selected to represent Aenglide in the 104th Worldvision Song Contest in Mariensbourg is Upside-Down World, the 2022 single from AnÿmeHouse. Following the theme of their music, it is a classic AnÿmeHouse staple song, with it’s cartoon-like and imagination-crazy lyrics, in a fun and family-friendly pop rock style. As seen in previous Aenglish entries, the song has also followed the common Aenglish Worldvision entry staple of achieving very early chart success, and reaching within the top five songs as soon as it was released and made the official entry for Aenglide at Worldvision 104.

It’s been deemed a fresh, different approach to the usual Aenglish Worldvision entries, as it comes after a set of semi-sporadic club pop bangers, from Worldvision 101’s VALKÆRJA and her song “Come And Take Me”, and Mia Knarvik from the previous edition of Worldvision with her song “Deep Inside”. The pop-rock song has proven to be popular amongst Aenglish Worldvision fans, and has been called “a cosy song composed by a brilliant young band”, which has done wonderfully in a time of very harsh and cold wintry temperatures and weather in Aenglide.

Again, It heavily contrasts the Aenglish rock entry that was sent to Thatcher City in Mister X, back in Worldvision 102, where Den Vókteren sent their dark alternative rock song “Harrowing Streets” which contained gloomy and horrific lyrics. The song did not prove well with the Aenglish public, and also reflected upon the total results of the night, where Aenglide placed at a relatively measly twelfth place, with 120 points. This is compared to the upbeat “Upside-Down World” by AnÿmeHouse, which Aenglish fans have their fingers crossed tightly for a great result.

A fun fact that we should mention that in nine editions, this will be the first time male lead vocals are sung in an entry. The last time we sent a male lead singer was back in Marina Point, Nekoni in Worldvision 94, where Aenglide sent "Bright Lights" by Alen Keidur. The reason probably why we didn't have men singing for so long was because that was Aenglide's worst placement in Worldvision to date. However, it's been a very long time since then, and Aenglide is now a very well-established country in the contest.



Mariensbourg was the third Carrelian city to host the Worldvision Song Contest, after Haufenburg in Worldvision 91 which was one edition before Aenglide’s Worldvision debut, and Densmouth in Worldvision 99, which saw the first modern Aenglish entry from Marja Bjárnisdoter. Between other regular countries in the contest, Carrelie hosts very regularly, but it’s not a complaint from the Aenglish delegation at all since their cities are very beautiful.

The city has proved to be a very interesting sight because it was home to the printing press, and various other things. These inventions are the reason why Mariensbourg is an international trading hub. The city has had a very long history with many cultures and remains as a cultural mixing pot today! Ever since the city was known as Mariasburg, it has had Sorech, German, Dentrician and Holy Roman influences in it’s long existence.

AnÿmeHouse read these facts on a brochure when entering the city. They didn’t have much free time at all because they were basically straight into interviews, rehearsals and anything and everything to do with Worldvision. However, the band got the chance to walk the city through its many pedestrian-only historical streets, as well around the city in the great public transportation that the city has to offer. The band liked the city so much that while they were here, they started calling themselves MariensbourgHouse as a bit of a joke.



On the grand night of Worldvision, it was found out that Aenglide was performing in the 27th spot, sandwiched after Jencilland and before Antahbrantahstan. This gave AnÿmeHouse a few entries to run through before having to prepare to be on stage. Ideally, they would have liked to be earlier so that their performance was just been and done with, but they weren’t complaining as it gave them time to relax and watch the other entries from the green room inside the Pàrc Olympièn stadium.

Around about the 20th entry from Erie-Arcadia or so, AnÿmeHouse was called up and directed towards the backstage rooms to prepare for their entry. They made sure they wanted to prepare earlier, since they have heavy equipment such as a drumset, and two sets of electric guitars. It would be a lot for the Carrelian stage team to carry on, especially the drumset that would be manned by Peter Emmerik. They also have a slowly rotating wheel which they will all stand on, which will be revealed further later.

A little thing that caught AnÿmeHouse and the rest of the Aenglish delegation off guard was the fact that the contest was opened by an artist with the name “Aen Glish”, and the band immediately thought this was something to do with the fact that they named their band after the Darkmanian city and that they were jokingly doing this back, or just a really large coincidence that an artist from Carrelie shared the same name as the demonym for our nation.

Anyway, the band is prepared and ready to take the stage. Jencilland are currently performing and the band backstage are lined up, and the stage technicians from Carrelie have their gear ready. As time went on, Jencilland’s performance suddenly ended the stage and the lights across the arena shut down completely. Immediately, the gear and the band were rushed and quickly set up on the stage, and the Jencilland performers were ushered off the stage. The band members took their places and made sure everything was secured on the spinning wheel and good to go. Aenglide had their postcard playing on the screen behind the band, and the stage crew gave the band the thumbs up.

As soon as the postcard ended, all of the lights on stage and the whole arena were lit up, and it revealed the whole band AnÿmeHouse on a spinning wheel, all dressed uniform in white shirts and black pants. Syd Jatlön is in front of the microphone, and behind him are guitarists Dav Erik Emundssen and Stig Ænverke, and drummer at the back Peter Emmerik. The music begins, and shortly after, lead singer Syd Jatlön begins to start off the lyrics. For now, the spinning wheel is off but will start up later in the performance. Through many rehearsals, practicing, song creation, song perfection, getting to Mariensbourg, and virtually everything they had done to prepare for their Worldvision entry, they were ready.

Love, I’m in an upside-down world
Where creativity sparks and turns to gold
The world is yours to play
And we can just run away
Even though we’re far from reality
Fields of cotton candy
It’s only right, it’s only right
We never leave this place

The camera begins to mix in various shots of birds-eye views of the spinning wheel and general shots of it, as it begins to start spinning around. There are also occasional shots of the audience, holding many flags with many colours, and camera shots of the people cheering on for Aenglide, usually seen with the big blue-white-and-green Aenglish cross. The arena has somewhat of a red glow with the lighting in this part of the performance, but will interpolate through the rainbow slowly as the performance goes on. The band are enjoying themselves on stage and are currently satisfied with how their performance is right now. The song’s chorus then begins.

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So why would we ever leave here?
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Spendin’ our lives in paradise
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Oh, forever and ever you’re with me
The upside-down world is changing
So let’s spend every second in the light

The lights in the arena get brighter for the upbeat new verse. Very similarly to before, the camera shots are generally either birds-eye views of the spinning wheel with the band on it, or the whole band from the front as the wheel spins around, with the very occasional pans to the audience. The red glow from before is currently changing through orange and yellow in this part.

Love, I could do these things all day
Never gets boring when you’re beside me
The sunshine glitters in the rays
And it’s picture-perfect all around
Here, there are no problems
Because the world just stops them
It’s only right, it’s only right
We never leave this place

The second chorus begins directly after the second verse. In this part, Syd carefully steps off the spinning wheel and extremely carefully, because at that moment he thought that if he messed that up, the whole performance would be game over for him. Thankfully, he managed to step off the wheel nicely, and then he begins to walk around the rest of the stage, smiling at the audience members as he turns to face them. This happens for most of the verse, and towards the end of the verse he walks back onto the spinning wheel. For the parts when he’s on the spinning wheel however, the same camera shots as the previous verses and choruses are shown, it’s very well established. The glowing lights at this point are green.

(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So why would we ever leave here?
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Spendin’ our lives in paradise
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Oh, forever and ever you’re with me
The upside-down world is changing
So let’s spend every second in the light

The lights dim down in the arena for this bridge part and the spinning wheel slows down, almost to a complete stop. For this part, the camera is focused on Syd Jatlön, as a spotlight is pointed directly at him whilst the other band members are in the darkness but still there next to him. The camera does a close up of Syd, and this is to capture the feeling of emotion, as this part is sung relatively quietly, compared to the end of the performance. As soon as Syd shouts “ONE! TWO! SING IT WITH ME!”, all of the lights become bright with the sudden release of energy in Syd’s voice.

Love, just be free
We can sing and smile in glee
Don’t you worry about a thing
Let’s just take flight
In the upside-down world, tonight
One! Two! Sing it with me!

The song goes into a pre-recorded saxophone instrumental that hypes up the crowd after the countdown from the bridge. The audience can audibly be heard cheering loudly in this part and because of this, shots panning across the audience feature more frequently in the instrumental, however the band gets the fair share of camera angles too. The glowing lights are blue in this part. Then, the chorus starts up again and Syd begins it with “Lemme hear ya!” to hype the audience into singing with him. The ending verse begins after the big instrumental.

Love, I’m in an upside-down world
Where creativity sparks and turns to gold
The world is yours to play
And we can just run away
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So why would we ever leave here?
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Spendin’ our lives in paradise
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So why would we ever leave here?
The upside-down world is changing
I’m so addicted to you
Back-to-front and upside-down now
I’m so addicted to you, ooh-ooh-ooh

The performance ends after the last line and the cheering can be heard from miles away through the Pàrc Olympièn arena and lead singer Syd Jatlön lets out a very big and extremely grateful “THANK YOU MARIENSBOURG!” to the audience, and then the camera points towards a random Aenglish woman holding up the Aenglish flag cheering loudly in the audience. After this, the audience quietens down slightly as the band disappears into the darkness with all of the lights for the next entry from Antahbrantahstan.

As AnÿmeHouse makes their way back to the green room and their seats, they hug each other in amazement at how well they performed and how supportive everyone watching in the audience was. They are very happy with the way their entry turned out and now, they were just waiting for the rest of the entries to be done and the votes to be revealed later in the night.

[Antahbrantahstan]

28. Auntie Brenda Stan

[Mister X]

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Gemina Stephanus - "Where Do We Go?"
Tune: Hazell Dean - "Who's Leaving Who"

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WorldVision 103 was a major disappointment for Mister X so this time they have absolutely no desire to do well, and weren't even thinking of entering. However, this song from Gemina Stephanus (Mister X's hottest and poshest new sensation) was too good an opportunity to turn down, so they put an application in, albeit slightly reluctantly. This song is one big long metaphor. The team behind it decided that love is like a train ride, not quite knowing where you go and what you do when it's finished and you get to the end of the line. Do you turn around and undo the journey you took to get here? Do you go in a different direction (bus, walk, run)? Or do you just sit there at the end of your time, the end of your journey.

Fresh from their siesta to Indo States, Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman return to compose this song, and this is very much typical... them. It's upbeat, with a great bassline and a dance hi-NRG bop with gay and mainstream undertones. The lights bop along to the tone of the beat as Gemina, in her "revenge dress" (pictured above), stands front and centre like a queen of the night parading herself off shamelessly.

Here we are at the end of the line
This train terminates here
I don't know where I'm going now
And I don't know where I'm gonna stop

A giant train pulling into a terminus appears on the back screen, as Gemina, in super slo-mo, in the same outfit, gets off and wonders where to go from here.

I could go back the other way
But then I won't be with you
And then the doors are closing now
And I don't know whether to get off

Two dancers, black in ethnicity and wearing nothing on their top halves (hello, sailor) with quite a bit of muscle to them, join Gemina either side during the pre-chorus.

And I don't know where I'm going
'Cause I don't know where I've been
I'm just crying
'Cause I don't even know

The camerawork becomes more dynamic, with wide panning shots, as the dancers flanking Gemina get into the bopping beat of this song.

Where do we go
Do I stay, do I go
Baby if you stay then I'll know
Tell me where do we go
When there's nothing left here you know
'Cause I just don't know where we go

Gemina turns around and sings directly to the TV camera, so the audience can she that she's loveable, not desperate. Smile and you'll vote for her?

Talk to me, make it stop
This train ride, I wanna get off
Can we go beyond the end of the line
And hit the buffers of love

This time, in the second pre-chorus, Gemina is joined on stage by four dancers. Double the men, double the fun, right? They're dressed the same as the other two.

And I don't know where I'm going
'Cause I don't know where I've been
I'm just crying
'Cause I don't even know

Gemina reveals she has been standing on a platform this whole time and now beings to rise above the four dancers slightly, like a goddess they are performing some sort of ritual sacrifice to.

Where do we go
Do I stay, do I go
Baby if you stay then I'll know
Tell me where do we go
When there's nothing left here you know
'Cause I just don't know where we go

For the bridge the lights all start getting bitty, flashing on and off, with super-close-ups of Gemina's hands, legs, flashing on and off, indicating the disjointed nature of the song.

(Don't know)
(Don't know)
(Don't know where)
(Where to go)

In the background Gemina decides to get back on the train she got off and head back to where she came from. The lights return to normal as an army of scantily-clad hot black men come onto the stage.

And I don't know where I'm going
'Cause I don't know where I've been
I'm just crying
'Cause I don't even know

And for the final piece, all the dancers perform in unison like a flashmob (remember those?) and it looks pretty spectacular. There's lots of wide shots to give it loads of coverage as Gemina stands tall above all of them, towering over them like a goddess.

Where do we go
Do I stay, do I go
Baby if you stay then I'll know
Tell me where do we go
When there's nothing left here you know
'Cause I just don't know where we go

Where do we go
Do I stay, do I go
Baby if you stay then I'll know
Tell me where do we go
When there's nothing left here you know
'Cause I just don't know where we go

As the song, lights, and camerawork all fades out (complete with zoom out and fade to black) the dancers keep going.

Eventually it all comes to a stop and Gemina wails "thank you!!!" She is lowered from her sedan chair platform back down to ground level and that's that.

[Vartugia]

30. Vartugia

The Banneables- Vartugia!

PingPong - Sameyach (Be Happy!)

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Vartugia is next and we all know that this will not end well. They will do everything to get that fat zero at the end of the contest. And now they send The Bannable, a group with a bunch of people that can't sing. Abandon hope, ye who enter here.

Everyone is silent as we watch what Vartugia is making this time.

We were struggling to write a song
The mega-hit from Vartugia
The one that everyone will remember
The one that will WorldVision

We hear bad vocals. Most of the audience shows that they are shocked once again at Vartugia.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!

People begins to leave the venue. This is officially a train-wreck.

Everyone will love our song
They will be voting for us
The phone lines is getting warm
I can smell victory from us

Even more bad vocals. And the lines to leave the venue is getting larger.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!

The venue is empty. The group sings in different notes but not the right one.

They laughed at us
They called us a joke nation
But with this song
We has proven that we can write hits

Glass gets broken.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Vartugia!

Only one person clapped. And the entry was forgotten.

[Zamboodle]

withdraw

[Beepee]

32.


"Calling In The Dark"
Performed by
Shona Tihtz

Tune: Anna-Maria Zimmermann - "Zusammen sind wir eins"

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Shona Tihtz, of the Family Tihtz, grew up in wealth and privilege in the small city of Chiton.

Her father, Pa Tihtz, was always well-coiffed and sharply dressed in rich merchant’s robes. With a bright and sunny disposition, he was easy going and easy to talk to.

And... that was indeed his main talent, listening carefully and extrapolating the benefit he could extract from any conversation. He was a master debater, a cunning linguist and rapscallion of the highest order. He used his talents to further his 'merchant's trade, often stiffing clients and buyers alike; making his money by dubious means.

Shona's mother, Ma Tihtz, was the iron fist inside the velvet glove. She ruled the family and many would say, the city of Chiton, harshly. Where Pa was the brains and the sly, Ma would use her strength and muscle.

The infamous Family Tihtz used their power and authority to line their own nest. Whilst Ma lined her wardrobe with the finest designer clothes and furs, Pa preferred to hoard his cash.

Shona however, as the youngest of seven was shielded by most of the worst excesses of her parents. By the time of her birth, her oldest brother was already beginning to work in transporting goods and learning the family trade. Shona by comparison was left in the care of nannies.

Whilst some were harsh and cruel, some were kind and encouraging. One such nanny was Fran. A loud, brash and boorish woman, with a penchant for tiger print clothing, she was nothing if not loving and caring to Shona. She encouraged Shona to follow her passions. When Shona discovered music, the Nanny named Fran encouraged Shona to take up signing and instruments, the oboe, the kvinnaböske, French horn.

As her parent's nefarious ways caught up with them, only Shona was spared the wrath of law. Her separation from the illegal trade in firearms, narcotics and other illicit substances meant she avoided jail term. However, as the family's wealth was confiscated, Shona found herself penniless and destitute.

She took to busking around the streets of Chiton, making WhoTube videos. Hoping to make enough coin to pay the rent each week. It was through WhoTube that BONC WorldVision Coordinator, Miss Fanny Golightly first discovered Shona's magnetic personality and lustrous voice.

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The strangely haunting sound of a single, solitary clap echoed around the fantastical main hall of The Pàrc Olympièn. As the Vartugian entry scuttled offstage. Whilst most entries would consider the performance like theirs as a disaster, The Banneables seems delighted with their performance. They smiled and congratulated each other as they passed Shona Tihtz waiting patiently backstage.

The wait tonight had been long. The days when a Beepeean entrant would be early in the show, has come and gone and the wait was arduous. Shona was eager to get on stage and show her wares to the waiting audience.

As the stagehands swept the stage of broken glass from the Vartugian entry, Shona and her backing troupe made their way onto stage. The backing singers and dancers, all male, will be mainly be performing topless. The good folks at BONC know just how thirsty a WorldVision viewer can get after a long evening's entertainment.

Shona will be wearing a tight black sequined dress, short and strapless.

The stagehands have done the best that they can, and without a moment to lose, as the video postcard comes to an end and the performance of her life begins...

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With the stage set in darkness... through the silence and the pitch black comes a haunting chant...

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

A single spotlight beams down on Shona. Her heaving sequined leotard dress sparkling under the lights. Shona looks straight down the camera and she sings...

Whenever the night falls
And the sun goes down
That's when your heart calls
It echoes around

As she sings the next stanza there's an expression of concern across Shona's face. Avid WorldVision watchers will appreciate that this is the old Beepeean trick of emoting the lyrics.

Still only light by a single spotlight from above, the rest of the stage is in darkness. As she sings, the hands of the dancers try to grab at Shona from various positions, she leans and weaves her way avoiding the clawing hands, as she continues...

The fear, it surrounds me
Turns my blood to ice
I hear your heart beat
Saying "baby think twice"

The beat kicks in as the chorus begins, slowly aping up in loudness until the elctro-schalger beat begins to fill the whole main hall... The lighting director has fun as the whole auditorium becomes awash with shiny sparkling lights.... finally Shona, with a wide smile across her face, sings...

It keeps calling in the dark

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

Calling to my heart

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

The more nuanced WorldVision viewer may notice that the Beepeean entry is utilising the Digital 5.0 surround sound package with this entry. This provides the at home viewer an immersing experience. Others will just hear the backing singers vocals coming out of different speakers to give the sense of the sound being all around Shona.

As she sings the next stanza, a couple of the toned, athletic backing troupe use themselves as easles from which the ever so artistic Shona can drape herself over and around. She does so with great pride.

And in the mornin'
There should be reprieve
The echoes keep callin'
Tryin' to make me believe

As she sings the next stanza, Shona is lowered into the splits as she sings "ain't falling deeper", and then slowly she's raised again for the next line.

As she continues, Shona is clearly enjoying herself playing and flirting with the backing dancers.

I ain't falling deeper
With every beat
Though my heart's eager
Your love's bittersweet

With the chorus now approaching Shona and her backing dancers automatically organise themselves into their positions as they prepare to do their choreographed routine. Indeed there's plenty of arms and pointing as the chorus is being sung....

It keeps calling in the dark

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

Calling to my heart

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

Following the chorus, there is a brief musical interlude filled with the best sounds of synthesised Mongolian nose flute, before Shona continues...

It keeps calling in the dark

As the bridge begins, the lighting director dims the lights on the auditorium and Shona's backing dancers giver her space on stage, to give the viewing audience the impression she has been left alone.

Shona looks directly down the camera, as if connecting with the at home audience, winking as she sings "I know all about you".

I hear it calling
Saying your love is true
But I know its lying
I know all about you

As the Refrain begins, which will lead to the conclusion of the performance, Shona is so far delighted with how it's going...

It keeps calling in the dark

The music builds again and Shona and her backing dancers jump in time with the beat. This tune will no doubt head up the Beepeean Schlager Dance Charts, but here in the main hall of The Pàrc Olympièn, the audience finally appears to have thrown of the shackles of The Banneables and are clapping along, dancing and waving their flags. Hopefully, this has got some of them in the party mood to go out dancing tonight.

It keeps calling in the dark

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

Calling to my heart

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama
Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

It keeps calling in the dark

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama

Calling out, calling out

Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

Calling to my heart

Hey-um ah hey-ah mama hey-ah mama

I hear your heart, hear your heart

Ya-hay ah mia oh wa-hey

It keeps calling in the dark

And with that the performance is over. Shona and her backing troupe have given it their all. They thank the audience, who appear to have enjoyed the show and make way for the next act from Saviera

[Saviera]

.::: 33 ✾ Saviera :::.
Christmastide
Sean Louis
Tune: Boys Do Cry by Marius Bear

So this was originally written for the holiday season, obviously. The intention of sending it to WV was because, at the time, it was assumed that the contest's schedule would take place during the holiday season. Due to the date being pushed back, of course this has become out-of-season. But, the song has been written, plane tickets booked, so Sean Louis was grateful to end up here in Mariensbourg, Carrelie.

It should also be noted that Saviera last participated at the 101st WorldVision Song Contest with the song "British Tapas", which ended up being a cult hit with certain internet communities, despite its poor showing at WV. But what about this one, could Sean find fame despite Christmas being long gone at this point? Only time will tell.

For the song, Sean was wearing a very classy men's winter outfit. For this performance, the crooner simply stood in the middle of the stage, behind a mic stand. There was a live band-style setup behind him and at this point the stage and background screens were dark, save for some subtle golden lighting.

As the song began, the camera showed close-up shots of the piano, before moving to the right and fading to a close-up of Sean.

O-oh, o-oh, oh… oh…

By the tree
There’s a toy that’s wrapped in tweed
For a boy who loves to dream, oh-oh
A wooden cavalier
He wants to grow up and live without fear
If he tries, oh-oh…

Now the angle switched to a spidercam above him, panning over the stage as it slowly moved backwards into the audience. Slowly, the lights came on, and the background screens became adorned with imagery of snowed-over pine trees.

Let’s make a wish on
Stars up in the sky
That one day, everything will be yours and mine
The jingle bells are ringing
And maybe it’s a sign
Of o~old Christmastide

Now the camera focused on close-ups, not only of Sean but also the different members of the band. The overall atmosphere was so cozy, you could almost smell the hot cocoa.

Night is cold
The harsh year is over, keep me warm
Give me your hand to hold, oh-oh
Under the mistletoe
Let the past go, we will take it slow
Through the snow, oh-oh…

The camera shows a few shots of the audience in between the shots of Sean. Many of them had their phone lights on, waving them slowly in the air. A couple was seen snuggling. A vey comfortable vibe all around.

Let’s make a wish on
Stars up in the sky
That one day, everything will be yours and mine
The jingle bells are ringing
And maybe it’s a sign
Of o~old…

Now the spidercam did the same movement as earlier, but quicker. All while a golden pyro shower quickly rained down for like 3 seconds, as Sean held this note. And then it returned to close ups of Sean and some of his band members. Eventually, the lights and background screen faded, save for a spotlight on Sean.

Christmastide!
And auld lang syne!
Jingle bells are ringing
And maybe it’s a sign
Of o~old…

He let out the final word of the song and then the camera moved upwards as it started to blur/turn into bokeh.

Christmastide

The audience politely cheered for a performance that Sean was quite proud of. He took a bow, and said "Thank you Mariensbourg, happy new year!" before leaving the stage with his pals.

[Flusia]

:::34. FLUSIA:::

Luka Ivanov ft. Suzan Krowe - Hate Me, Date Me

Tune - Billy Cobb ft. Witchsy- Zuzu’s Pedals

---

[Kalosia]

35
Kalosia
I Can Never Be Him — $TEFA
performed in English to the tune of i remember — bbno$

He may have not won the 2022 Festival dëla Kanžu Kalosianë, but his entry "Në pošu eser' luj" proved to be popular among the audience. It ended up doing well in the charts and, given the chance, $TEFA (real name Stefanu Arnoldi) took up the offer to go to WorldVision with it.

He is largely a rapper, but he ended up submitting this 80s-style pop song to FKK, a departure fro his usual style. Perhaps part of the reason he dared try the festival in the first place was because he had something that wasn't quite like anything else he had put out, and wanted a proper explanation for his fans. Anyway, the song is a rather melancholic one, told from the perspective of a man admitting to a lover that he can't live up to the high expectations that have been set for him.

Also for WorldVision, he decided to translate it into English. This is unlike the previous WV act, Klaravalë who also reprised her FKK entry, but did not alter the language of the lyrics. As for $TEFA, unless he decides to explore and experiment with his music further, he will likely go back to rap once his WV story has come to an end.

For the big night, he was wearing a light pink sweater and a pair of white sweatpants—very 2018. On the stage was a singular structure similar to a mountain (imagine something the size of Victoria's rock from ESC 2021, but looking like someone put all the triangle props from Azerbaijan 2021 together).

As the song started, $TEFA was standing at the centre of the main stage. The camera started with a wide shot of the dimly lit venue, which slowly zoomed in. A spotlight shone on $TEFA from behind, making him visible as a silhouette. Once his time to sing came, the front spotlights came on, revealing him standing in front of the mountain, and he walked forward as he sang into the camera.

Am I enough?
I know that for you love is tough
But I don’t know how to begin
Cause with you it’s like I can’t win
(I can never be him)

The stage lights burst into various colours as $TEFA continued to sing, being very expressive with his hand gestures.

What’s all this for?
Please tell me so I can do much more
If there is anything that I could
Do to make our heartbeats
Feel oh-oh-oh so good

He slowly made his way down the left catwalk, following the camera and looking into it as he sings.

Enough with small talk now, I will get there somehow
If your heart will allow of your approval
You said your feelings were unconditional
Your demands have become irrational

In this part, it switches to a mid-shot from a camera placed in front of the stage. But it quickly cuts a few times to the backing singers at the back of the main stage.

Remember when our lives were not like this? (Oh, do you?)
Back then when we just had our first kiss (What a time)
Your love is something that I can’t resist (I cannot)
Our love is something that’s worthy of fighting for

With the hand that's not holding the handheld mic, he holds his head as if having a headache, or a realization. A headache-inducing realization. With facial expressions that seem worried, fitting the message of the song.

(I’ll be honest) But I can’t do all this alone
(I don’t want to) Have a weekend all to myself
Without you to be by my side
(Oh, tell me you love me)

After fading to black, he runs back to the main stage.

So tell me babe, am I enough?
I know that for you love is tough
But I don’t know how to begin
Cause with you it’s like I can’t win
(I can never be him)

Well, he's now back at the centre stage, and has jumped onto the mountain. He walks around it for a little, making sure not to stumble and fall.

What’s all this for?
Tell me so I can do much more
If there’s anything that I could
Do to make your body
Feel oh-oh-oh so good

He gets off the mountain and takes a few steps forward as the stage lights get dark, save for a spotlight on $TEFA.

Someone told me I just need to relax
Someone else said I need to face the facts
Your expectations came out of the blue
But I knew for certain that I only had just myself to prove

In the last line of the last part, a steadicam approached $TEFA, who closed up on him and circled the guy as he sang the next part emotionally into the camera. This section was considered by the Kalosian delegation to be the most important part of the entry to nail, as it presented a very raw, intimate moment with our singer.

Even if the world came to an end, I’d be there for you
I’ve always seen you as more than a friend, I’m in love with you
Cause roses are red and violets are blue, I’m missing you
You stay in my head, whatever I do, I’m needing you

As the camera moves away from him, the angle switches to a front one and $TEFA turns back, going up the mountain. He finds a spot to sit, and he kinda lays down on one of the ledges, kinda leaning on the ramp. The camera suddenly fades to black for a few seconds.

(I’ll be honest) But I can’t do all this alone
(I don’t want to) Have a weekend all to myself
Without you to be by my side

Now here came a rapid succession of camera angles. The fade-to-black transition switches to a camera closing up from one angle upon $TEFA, and in the next line a quick fade-to-black transition shows another close up angle of him, and another, and another. Four total.

So tell me babe, am I enough?
I know that for you love is tough
But I don’t know how to begin
Cause with you it’s like I can’t win
(I can never be him)

Now, $TEFA gets up, and the camera stays as a mid-shot. The stage lights start to light up and move dynamically again, but only in white.

What’s all this for?
Tell me so I can do much more
If there’s anything that I could
Do to make your body
Feel oh-oh-oh so good

The stage explodes in colour once again, and our boy sings with plenty of body expression up on that mountain.

Am I enough?
I know that for you love is tough
But I don’t know how to begin
Cause with you it’s like I can’t win
(I can never be him)

Eventually, he makes his way down and takes a few steps forward. A spidercam follows him with a mid-shot as this happens.

What’s all this for?
Tell me so I can do much more
If there’s anything that I could
Do to make your body
Feel oh-oh-oh so good

He stands there as the spidercam continues to move away during this outri, as it turns into a wide shot. The lights start to go dark, before the main spotlight finally follows suit.

As the song comes to an end, the audience cheers. "THANK YOU WORLDVISION!" he screams. "LOVE YOU!" he thanks the audience, before heading backstage once again.

[Aeragny]

36: Aerágny
Hiry by Hustoner Chiemen ft. Sefora Vouljec
To the tune of Shirim by Melody's Echo Chamber

---

Hustoner Chiemen (Chiemen Brothers) is a duo, consisting of two brothers; Hélyu and Stági Chiemen. The two are known for their psychedelic guitar performances, often writing songs with a guest providing vocals. Most often, Hélyu is heard on guitar and Stági on bass, though the two are known to switch it up regularly. As one of Airannia's most well known acts, especially internationally, they were selected as the country's first envoys to the WorldVision contest. Their song, Hiry (Ritual) doesn't differ from their usual releases, in that it is a song with guitars at the forefront, and lyrics, sung by a guest artist secondary. This time, Sefora Vouljec was chosen as the featuring vocalist. Apart from her modest solo career, she's collaborated with the brothers before for their most recent album, providing vocals for two songs: "Interim" and "Sand Castles". Hiry was written specifically for WorldVision; and its most peculiar characteristic is that it's the first song with Airannian lyrics the brothers have produced- though the chorus is in English nonetheless.

---

The brothers are the only thing on stage at the start of their performance; and despite the relative darkness on the stage, both are wearing sunglasses. Hélyu, the bearded one, on the left, holding an electric guitar, Stági, the clean shaven one, holding his bass. The two instruments were customly produced for the event; Hélyu's weapon of choice a shiny red, Stági's deep blue. Their instruments are a direct reflection of their respective brother's suit: Hélyu in a navy blue suit, while Stági is wearing a burgundy one. Sefora is not yet on stage during the intro - she's backstage while the first sharp guitar tones fill the arena. The screens shine in muted purple, blue and red tones, as if to mimic a twilight.

As Sefora's lines begin, she walks onto the stage - followed by a cameraman, filming her out of backstage, from behind. She's wearing a black coat - strongly contrasting her near-white hair. The camera continues to follow her closely, rotating around her while she sings the first lines. (Note: bolded text is sung, italic is merely the translation.

Shéva gálesec
Hovering over us

Je voykhe mellicey
A grey cloud

Menno ice je sanne
Only if I were a saint

Scié allde lei prouche
Would I stop this storm

Já ox á oxiune
The rain begins to fall

Arra stincuéde farre
But we won't get wet today

Yaspra je cinge pidaible nis
A shield of piety protects you

At the end of these lines, Sefora has reached centre stage; right as Hélyu begins his riff, the camera cuts to an aerial overview of the entire stage, and a spotlight illuminates Hélyu. It appears the blue colours on the screen are dimming, in favor of a more reddish hue filling the stage. Then, the camera cuts back to a close-up of Sefora's face.

Obh nuitece dhánne, dhylle
You see my face, I hope

Atte obh icas hynne
I know it isn't luck

Ucondre, je clijeau conne drilléthe
Fate, a beauty we don't deserve

Attenn, attenn bylles
I don't know, I don't know why

Cert kirkatte dhyncas
It's so hard to please

Exich, eau, étt'ica déme
Faith, oh, the time is now

The stage then brightens, the darkness making way for orange and red light, most of which coming from the LCD screens. As the chorus starts, she removes her coat, revealing a white dress underneath, matching with her hair. She stretches her arms out and slowly moves them to the beat while singing the chorus. The camera rotates above and around her during this.

We meet at the usual

We're acting casual

But we're at the pinnacle

'Cause we've got a ritual

Immediately after the chorus, Hélyu performs another solo, followed by Stági's bass solo. During the latter, red lights flash on the beat. Either of the brothers is illuminated by a white spotlight during their solo, while Sefora appears to reach out to grab them, though it looks as if her feet are suddenly glued to the stage. The brothers have been instructed not to react to her attempts to dissuade them from the guitarwork, and play on undisturbed. Now, the spotlight is on her instead, and she sings to the camera which is suspended almost directly above her.

Ançeidrang he smérang
With relics and offerings

Uosté nekhice lei lérc
We cannot fill this hole

Námácy conn'ochiquá dhá he nis
Emptiness that's consuming you and me

Icas hynne, icas ucondre
It isn't luck, it isn't fate

Icas hynne, icas ucondre
It isn't luck, it isn't fate

The camera fades to black, as does the stage (although the stage is a little harder to get immediately pitch black, so for the purpose of the broadcast, this is done through editing) - then, when the stage is lit up again, this time by screens which shine a hellish red light onto the stage, from screens with red and black patterns, a circle of bright, though for safety-reasons, electric candles, which had previously not been visible due to the darkness on stage, has been lit surrounding the brothers and Sefora. She sings the chorus again, this time looking straight at the camera, with a sense of urgency in her voice, and more so, in her face.

We meet at the usual

We're acting casual

But we're at the pinnacle

'Cause we've got a ritual

Immediately after this chorus, the lights turn slightly less demonic red, slightly more white, normal light, and the screens show colours akin to a smouldering flame. At the end, the brothers switch instruments, by putting them into Sefora's outstretched arms, who then does a 180 degree turn, and giving the brothers the instrument matching their outfit. While Hélyu and Stági break loose into a final, animated guitar outro, Sefora then turns back around, continuing to give backing vocals. While this final stretch of the song peters out, the lights also dim.

After concluding, and the lights coming back on, Sefora takes a bow, while Hélyu and Stági both raised their arms in the sky from joy - Stági shouting "Filitre WorldVision!", and exiting stage.

[Carrelie]

Interval Act

[Beepee]

1. BEEPEE

Good Evening Mariensbourg! HELLO WORLD!

This is BONC Norfolk Pinewoods calling. Thank you for a wonderful show tonight, filled with music, laughter and just a little Worldvision craziness.

Tonight is the 25th anniversary of Beepee's first entry in Worldvision, and we're so happy to be here with you.

I am, now delighted to present the votes from the Beepeean jury.

1 point to Aenglide
2 points to Crustyland
3 points to Waisnor
4 points to Alezian Union
5 points to Kalosia
6 points to Erie Arcadia
And
7 points to Plangainer

And now our top sets of points...

8 points from Beepee goes to you, our hosts, Carrelie . Congratulations!

Our ten points go to...

Malta Comino Gozo

And Finally, the 12 points, the douze points, from Beepee goes to......

BRITONISEA

and that completes the votes of the Beepeean Jury. Thank you and goodnight

[Makko Oko]

2. Makko Oko

The Ministry Of Diplomatic Affairs starts broadcasting live on OBC with the OkoTV News team, with the Minister Of Diplomatic Affairs, Alora Hakjova, saying "Today is such a joyous occasion when the Emperor has finished their selections for WorldVision's potential winners."

"Let's get started!" he exclaims. The picture then changes to a points graphic, uniquely created by the government, with the minister talking in the background.

Getting 1 point...Britonisea!

Getting 2 points...Tummylandia!

Getting 3 points...Vartugia!

Getting 4 points...Aenglide!

Getting 5 points...Beepee!

Getting 6 points...Erie-Arcadia!

Getting 7 points...Alezian Union!

"Finally...the top 3...

The Controlist Ferwerter Union with 8 points!

Plangainer with 10 points!

The best one of all...the one that made the Emperor's heart shine...Caryton with 12 points!!! Congratulations to all of the candidates of WorldVision 104, you all did great, but only some could win over the Emperor..."

[Tummylandia and Susistan]

3. Tummylandia and Susistan

---

Enrique Diaz, Member of Paul Leskowitz and his Army of Lunatics

"Greetings, everyone..." "So uhh, apologies incase I get something wrong with my English... Anyhow, so below are the votes for Tummylandia and Susistan!

1 - Waisnor
2 - Fatimanian Federation
3 - South Batoko
4 - Makko Oko
5 - Spiritual Republic of Caryton
6 - The Controlist Ferwerter Union
7 - Erie Arcadia

"Now, we'll be introducing our top three, Our 8 votes will go to the... Carrelie!

"10 votes are bound for... Britonisea!"

"And our last entry that gets the stunning 12 points... It's from... drumroll please... Alezian Union!"

"Thank you so much for Worldvision, and goodbye!"

[Waisnor]

WAISNOR IS CALLING

"Grodno is calling, good evening, everybody! Dmitry Semenenko, nice to meet you, and I hope the 10 countries that will receive points from Waisnorian jury will be just as happy as I am, standing right here, speaking to all of multiverse! But now, let's get on with the votes: "

1 point - TERRA ZELANDIA
2 points - BESEN
3 points - BRITONISEA
4 points - CRUSTYLAND
5 points - MALTA COMINO GOZO
6 points - ILLDONYA
7 points - ERIE-ARCADIA

8 points - PLANGAINER

10 points - ALEZIAN UNION

12 points - ACHAEAN REPUBLIC

[Vartugia]

12 - Controlist Fartwater
10 - Kalosia
8 - Carrelie

7 - Waisnor
6 - Aenglide
5 - Besen
4 - Fatiman Federation
3 - Makko Oko
2 - Alezian Union
1 - StrayaRoos

[StrayaRoos]

12-Aenglide
10-Kalosia
8-Beepee
7-Malta Comino Gozo
6-Aeragny
5-Waisnor
4-Alezia
3-Carrelie
2-Mister X
1-Besen

[Aenglide]

1. Makko Oko
2. Fatiman Federation
3. Crustyland
4. Waisnor
5. Terra Zealandia
6. Carrelie
7. Britonisea
8. Malta Comino Gozo
10. Erie-Arcadia
12. Beepee

[Terra-Zealandia]

1. Tummylandia and Susistan
2. Erie-Arcadia
3. Waisnor
4. Plangainer
5. Aenglide
6. Aeragny
7. Besen
8. Illdonya
10. Mister X
12. SR Caryton

[Illdonya]

Hello Mariensbourg! I am here to present Illdonya's jury ranking!

12 Beepee
10 Alezian Union
8 South Batoko
7 Fatimanian Fed.
6 Britonisea
5 Waisnor
4 Carrelie
3 Placely Placington (Yes, for real)
2 Achaean Republic
1 Terra Zealandia

[Placely Placington]

No funny spokesman or commentary because I'm running on fumes, just have my points.

1. Erie-Arcadia
2. Alezian Union
3. Tummylandia and Susistan
4. Aerágny
5. Kalosia
6. Britonisea
7. Besen
8. Vartugia
10. Plangainer
12. Mister X

[Mister X]

32 Beepee 12
35 Kalosia 10
12 Crustyland 8
21 Alezian Union 7
13 Carrelie 6
27 Aenglide 5
08 Plangainer 4
19 Achaean Republic 3
22 Terra-Zealandia 2
16 Malta Comino Gozo 1