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17 Jul 2017

Belarus, Ukraine tie at Vitebsk 2017 song contest

26th International Song Contest Vitebsk 2017VITEBSK, 17 July (BelTA) – Yegor Sharankov (Belarus) and Vlad Sytnik (Ukraine) were tied on points at the end of the two-day final of the 26th International Song Contest Vitebsk 2017, BelTA has learned.

At the end of the first day, the Ukrainian had one point more than his Belarusian rival. Lilia Veltman (Russia) and Nevena Bozhovic (Serbia) also made it to the top four. Their second performance that featured an international hit song was less successful, however. The Serbian singer performed Hurt by Christina Aguilera, getting 74 points, and Lilia Veltman scored even less than that. Yegor Sharankov chose the famous We Are The Champions by Queen and decided to experiment with the cover version. He scored 76 points. Vlad Sytnik sang the Grammy-winning You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban, getting 75 points. Vlad Sytnik and Yegor Sharankov tied on a total of 151 points.

Yegor Sharankov (Belarus)Both contestants think they did their best and thanked the audience for the support. “I am very glad that the audience reaction to my performance was so warm and emotional. It really charged me with positive vibes. The home atmosphere also helped me. I try to cover famous songs in my own style. It is very hard to copy the original version. I simply want to do something new so that a listener does not understand for a while this is the same song. This is how I performed all the songs at the festival,” Yegor Sharankov said.

Vlad Sytnik (Ukraine)Vlad Sytnik has taken part in 24 different song contests but still views Slavianski Bazaar as the brightest moment of his career over the recent years. “I think it was difficult for the jury to make a decision. Everyone did a great job. I was surprised by many performers: Bulgarian Nikola Chochev, Italian Walter Ricci, the Belarusian, the Russian, the Serbian, and other singers. The atmosphere was friendly. I think we will stay friends after the contest and will visit each other,” Vlad Sytnik remarked. Born in Lugansk, the Ukrainian performer is now living in Kiev. At the stage he wished peace to all the Belarusians and all the viewers.

26th International Song Contest Vitebsk 2017The award ceremony will take place in the Summer Amphitheater in Vitebsk on 17 July. According to the rules of the festival, no Grand Prix shall be given this year: the leader must score at least three points more than other participants.

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