Interview: Maria Yaremchuk (Ukraine 2014) speaks to ESC+Plus!

The first chosen contender for next edition of Europe’s TV favourite production has exclusively given some statements to our website, a month after her victory in Kyiv. Get to know more about her Eurovision career and listen to her song, Tick-Tock, below!

Hi Mary, first of all, congratulations on winning the ticket that will lead you straight to the Eurovision experience in Copenhagen, next May 2014.

ESC+Plus: What does it feel being the next Ukrainian representative after a successful result in Malmö?

Mary: Ukraine has been participating in Eurovision only for ten years. During this period, representatives of our country twice won second place and once third. And in 2004 the representative of Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest. So I have someone to look up to. Especially according to the history – Ukraine almost always has been sending to fight for the honor of the country namely girls. Therefore it is honor for me to enter the number of these courageous women, and even more so to be the youngest of them.

ESC+Plus: Your song is called Tick-Tock, but is it related to the time? Tell us what’s the story behind it.

Mary: The modern world is very dynamic, and sometimes in the race for success, people often lose sight of the most important things. The message of my songs – is recalcitrance of love. Love is timeless, it is stronger than everything and everyone!

ESC+Plus: Some media reported you had troubles in the national final when it comes to your performance and preparations, what can you tell us about it?

Mary: I want to answer this question using quote «Without struggle there is no progress». We did not have time to do much as was desired, but it is only a matter of time, because the national final performance – that is to say, a sketch of the future performance. Therefore, the whole struggle is still ahead!

ESC+Plus: How will you be approaching your performance and song in Copenhagen? Will we be appreciating any changes from the national final?

Mary: In Denmark I will show the very different performance. As well as the sound will be another.

ESC+Plus: You already tried to represent Ukraine in Malmö with a track called Imagine, how did you decide to do it once more? What‘s the difference between Mary in 2012 and 2013?

Mary: 2012th became for me a year of effective experience. I specifically took part in the selection, to learn all the nicety of the competition. This experience helped me to win the Eurovision qualifying round in 2013. I am a young artist, so now I’m passing the stages of formation as a creative unit. Accordingly I’m trying to grow beyond the years and bounds.

ESC+Plus: How did you develop the entry with the composers? Ukrainian entries are usually revamped, will yours be arranged too?

Mary: Together with my team, we are already been working on multiple-choice arrangements. By March we will determine the final version for performance in Copenhagen. But I can assure you, whatever arrangement we have not provided, it will certainly be filled with the effects of Ukrainian melodies.

ESC+Plus: Have you thought about the staging? What kind of costumes would you like to wear during your Eurovision performance? 

Mary: There are a few ideas of the new performance. Which of them we will chose – time will tell. Costumes will be developed depending on the idea chosen.

ESC+Plus: Have you met last year‘s Zlata Ognevich? In case of that, have she given any advice to you?

Mary: I have not met with them yet. But still ahead!

ESC+Plus: Which is your favourite Ukrainian entry at the Eurovision? And your favourite winning one?

Mary: Of course, my favorite show is that became the reason the Eurovision-2005 was hosted in Kiev. And among the winners from other countries, are close to me: Helena Paparizou, Loreen, Lena, and, of course, the winner of last year – Emelie de Forest.

ESC+Plus: Now time for a personal test…

A place:

Top of the Hoverla (mountain in the Carpathians)

A food:

Pies, biscuits, cakes…

A voice:

Alt.

A song:

Sting – Shape of my heart.

A person:

Margaret Thatcher.

A moment:

Coming on the scene.

A wish:

To live life on the stage!

Thanks for this interview and from all the ESC-Plus.com team, the best of luck for the contest in Copenhagen! See you there!