Georgia’s 1TV announced today that Ranina, Georgia’s method of selection for its Junior Eurovision 2022 representative, will begin on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 10 p.m.

The popular children’s vocal contest, usually comprised of four themed “tours” with ten contestants, a Semi-Final round with five contestants, and a Grand Final with three contestants, has returned for a fifth season.

Niko Kajaia edged out Gega Shonia and Barbere Makhatadze to win Ranina’s 2021 season, and came in a respectable 4th out of 19 at Junior Eurovision 2021 in Paris, France with “Let’s Count the Smiles.”

He also provided much amusement to viewers with his videobombing antics and for a whimsical entry that captured the spirit of childlike wonder at Junior Eurovision.

Ranina has been Georgia’s method of selection since 2018, sending winners Tamar Edilashvili (8th, Junior Eurovision 2018), Giorgi Rostiashvili (14th, Junior Eurovision 2019), Sandra Gadelia (6th, Junior Eurovision 2020), and Kajaia to the contest.

For the past two years, Ranina has been hosted by classically trained pianist and Georgian Idol judge David Aladashvili. In each tour, the kids are graded out of ten in four categories: vocal performance, acting or stage presence, artistic interpretation of the source material, and collaboration.

With regards to collaboration, Ranina usually brings famed Georgian musicians and ensembles such as the Gori Girls’ Choir, Shavnabada and Quintessence, as well as prior Georgian Eurovision and Junior Eurovision entrants.

Other popular themes over the last four seasons have been Disney songs, modern interpretations of Georgian children’s movies, and musicals.

The judges in last year’s Final were Georgia’s debut Eurovision representative Sopho Khalvashi, composer Davit Evgenidze (i.e. the guy with the paisley bandanas), and Beka Gochiashvili.

You can watch Ranina live on the program’s Facebook page or directly at 1tv.ge.

Do #YOU think Ranina has worked as a method of selection for Georgia at Junior Eurovision? What theme would you like to see the kids perform? Let us know in the comments below, on social media, or in our forum.

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  1. […] has 10 contestants typically. They will have four “tours” all of which will have different themes. There will then be a semi-final round, by which […]

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