Mearthvision Song Contest 216

Participation map

The **Mearthvision Song Contest 216** was the seventeenth edition of the annual Mearthvision Song Contest. The contest took place at the Neo Tokyo International Exhibition Centre, Neo Tokyo on the 16th of May following Jolivan's victory at the 215 contest in Nazaline, Lincly with the song "Min'na shitte obukeki". It was the first time that Jolivan hosted the contest - 15 years after the country made its debut - as well as the first in South Caronana. It was also the first time since 212 that it was held outside of Eurovo.

A record twenty-two countries participated in the contest, all countries eligible to do so at the time, with Joliwe returning after their absence in the 214 and 215 contests.

The winner was Bisini with the song "Acceptatie", performed by Joel and Donna, written by the latter and Sammy Wilson. This was Bisini's second victory in the contest, following their win in 200—the first time a country won more than once. Unlike 215, in which Ayami Machida won the televote but not the jury, the overall winner won neither the jury vote, which was won by Noda, nor the televote, which was won by Porta, with Bisini placing second in both. Porta, Lincly, the host Jolivan and Avino rounded out the top five. Porta, Fernit and Joliwe achieved their best results to date. It was the eighth time in a row that Jolivan finished in the top five and Bisini's second time. It was also Avino's best score since their win. Halsivon finished in last for the third time in a row.

Peculiarly, jury winner Noda came last in televoting. The reason this was the case is unknown, with many media outlets reporting on this more than Bisini's win soon after the contest's end.

## Location

The contest took place in Jolivan following their victory in 215.

### Venue

The Neo Tokyo International Exhibition Centre is located in the Neo Tokyo Bay area of Neo Tokyo, close to the Sunrise Bridge.

### Host city selection

Bookmakers predicted that Machida would win the 215 contest even before the Grand Final took place. Thus, many Jolivanese cities prepared possible venues that could host the contest if she won. Once she did, a record nine venues were submitted by six cities across Jolivan, including Nanako, which would be elected to host the 222 Winter Olympics later that year.

## Format

### Visual design

The contest's slogan, "Be Playful", stylised in all lowercase, was unveiled on 22 October 215. The official logo and branding was unveiled on 2 December 215. A tree, its 19 person-shaped branches represent the nineteen prefectures of Jolivan and the playful youth of the world.

### Presenters

On 2 December, at the same time the logo was revealed, JHK announced that four presenters would host the show: TV host Eru Inai and actress Michizane Nakanishi were the main hosts, while the green room was hosted by athlete and singer Yu Shiraishi as well as Ayami Machida herself.

### Allocation draw

The draw to determine the participating countries' half took place on 8 February 216, at Neo Tokyo's City Hall. The ceremony was hosted by contest presenters Eru Inai, Michizane Nakanishi, Yu Shiraishi and Ayami Machida, and included the passing of the host city insignias from Samuel Daniels, Mayor of Nazaline (host city of the previous contest) to Yusuke Hoga, Mayor of Neo Tokyo.

### Postcards

The concept of the 216 postcards was influenced by the "Be Playful" theme. Each artist visited parts of Jolivan, engaging in 'very Jolivanese activities'.

## Participating countries

The IBU announced on 12 November that 22 countries would participate in the contest, the most ever, with Joliwe returning after their absence in the 214 and 215 contests. While neither Porta nor Fernit, who debuted in the last contest and competed again, are members of the IBU, they were still allowed to participate, the former because it is in talks to become a member, and the latter because it is an overseas territory of Lincly, which shares a host broadcaster, the Linclian Broadcasting Corporation, a member under Lincly.

### Returning artists

Viktor Fukin previously represented Russanplon in the 200 contest with the song "Three". Joel Stebbins, one half of Joel and Donna, provided backing vocals for Nate James in 211. Maurycy Rozwadowski, who had provided backing vocals for Karolina Mielcarek in 215, returned to provide backing vocals for Zdzisława Kowalczyk.

### Final

#### Spokespersons

The spokespersons announced the points from their respective country's national jury in the following order:

1. Bisini – Isabelle York (winner of the 200 contest as part of Izzy and Dig)
2. Northern States of Caronana – Eric Man
3. Fernit – Kris Dixie (Fernitian representative in 215 as part of Right Of Way)
4. Jolivan – Tamaki Chiyotanda (Jolivanese representative in 208 and 209)
5. Tontin – Frode Alfsson (Tonish representative in 214; winner of the 205 contest)
6. South Yelsiva – Natalie Cotilla (South Yelsivan representative in 215)
7. Porta – Benjamin Fouquet (Portan representative in 215)
8. United Republic – Delfina Prats
9. Lincly – Lincoln and Linka (Linclian representatives in 201 and 209, hosts in 215)
10. Dania – Rodolphe Le Tonnelier (Co-host in 200)
11. Avino – Javee (Avinon representative in 214)
12. Joliwe – Juan Martín Tenorio
13. Maro – Leonilda De Luise
14. Noda – Luna Bunny (Nodan representative in 215)
15. Plos – Samantha Vandemeulebroecke (Plosi representative in 208 and 215)
16. Lincon – Evelyn O'Flaherty (Linconian representative in 215)
17. Yelsiva – Alex Alcabú
18. Canadina – Frank Franklin
19. Halsivon – Volodymyr Stetsyuk (Halsivese representative in 210)
20. Russanplon – Eugeni Rostislavovich (Russanplonese representative in 215)
21. Rinasine – Juliusz Gal (Rinasinean representative in 209)
22. Easatloa – Hans Rosin (Easatloan representative in 210)

## Broadcasters

All participating broadcasters may choose to have on-site or remote commentators providing an insight about the show and voting information to their local audience. Similarly, some non-participating broadcasters may still want to air the contest.

The International Broadcasting Union provided international live streams of the final through their official YouTube and Vuzu channels with no commentary.

**Broadcasters and commentators in non-participating countries**

## Incidents

### Political message of Bisini's song

Upon the announcement of Bisini's song "Acceptatie" prior to its official release, media noted that the song's title was 'acceptance' in Warelersh. It was predicted that the song would be in reference to Warelern, which at the time was only recognised by five countries—Bisini, with its notable Warelersh minority, was one of them. Some news outlets considered this a political message and that the IBU should not let Joel and Donna perform the song. However, the IBU stated that their officials had heard the song and that it did not carry a political message.

Upon the song's music video release, this issue was brought up once again. The IBU once again stated that the song had no message "other than of acceptance of everyone", though some remained sceptical.

## References

1. ↑ "Noda — First in jury voting but last in televote" *Vision* Retrieved 17 May 216.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "22 countries will go to Jolivan at Mearthvision 216 in Neo Tokyo" *Mearthvision.tv*. 12 November 215. Retrieved 4 February 216.
3. ↑ North, Elena (1 November 215). "Porta – Mearthvision 216 will be the last time the country competes as an associate member". *Vision*. Retrieved 4 February 216.
4. ↑ "LBC News: Fernit to compete in Mearthvision 216" lbc.co.ly. 19 September 215. Retrieved 4 February 216.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Mearthvision Song Contest 216 Grand Final". *Mearthvision.tv*. Retrieved 17 May 216.
6. ↑ Contains lyrics in Danian, Easatloan, Linconian, Maron, Rinasinean, South Halsivese and Yelsivan.