242 Poznan

Welcome to Poznan

– where history meets modern life in the heart of Central Europe.

Standing quietly between Warsaw and Berlin, Poznan is often described, with a mixture of pride and irony, as “the most Polish of Polish cities.” It is one of the oldest cities in the country, yet also one of its most dynamic and forward-looking. Here, centuries of history are not preserved behind glass, but woven naturally into the rhythm of everyday life.

At the heart of the city lies the Old Market Square, one of the most beautiful in Poland. Colorful merchant houses frame lively cafés and terraces, while the magnificent Renaissance Town Hall dominates the scene. Each day, crowds gather beneath its clock tower to watch the city’s famous mechanical goats emerge and butt heads, a tradition that has delighted visitors for centuries. Around the square, history is everywhere, from medieval streets and churches to grand buildings that reflect Poznan’s long role as a center of trade, culture, and learning.

Yet Poznan is far more than its past. Former industrial districts have been transformed into creative hubs, cultural venues, and modern neighborhoods, giving the city an energy that feels both contemporary and distinctly its own. Along the banks of the Warta River, green spaces and walking paths create room to slow down, while galleries, festivals, and a thriving food scene ensure there is always something new to discover.

Poznan is also known for its openness and inclusive atmosphere. Often regarded as one of Poland’s most LGBT-friendly cities, it has built a reputation for tolerance, diversity, and a vibrant social scene. Its bars, clubs, cafés, and cultural events contribute to a welcoming environment where different communities and ideas meet comfortably side by side.

This is a city that embraces change without losing sight of its roots. Renaissance elegance meets post-industrial creativity, tradition blends with innovation, and local pride is balanced by a cosmopolitan outlook. From the colorful façades of the Old Market Square to the riverside parks and creative districts beyond, Poznan reveals itself as a place that is constantly evolving while remaining unmistakably itself.

In Polish, there is even a playful expression: “Poznan wart Poznania” - Poznan is worth discovering, or quite literally, worth getting to know.

Highlights

⇧ Rynek, Market Square

The iconic façades of the Old Market Square, painted in rich colours and full of character. A favourite backdrop for locals and photographers, they give Poznan its unmistakable charm and postcard-perfect identity.

Stare Miasto

The vibrant heart of Poznan and one of the most beautiful historic cityscapes in Poland. A wide panorama of rooftops, streets and landmarks that captures the city’s layered identity - where history, everyday life and modern rhythm naturally come together.

Ratusz - Town Hall

A masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and one of the most iconic town halls in Poland, serving as a fine example of Polish architectural heritage. Famous for its mechanical goats, it stands as a symbol of pride, craftsmanship and centuries of civic history.

Poznan Pride Week

Poznan’s most colourful celebration of openness and diversity. Every year in June, for an entire week, the city transforms into a space of music, events and community spirit – proudly embracing freedom, equality and good energy for everyone.

Zamek Królewski - Royal Castle

A reconstructed medieval landmark built on historic foundations and imagination. Locals jokingly call it “Gargamel’s Tower”, but it remains a curious symbol of Poznan’s layered and sometimes playful approach to history.

Warta River

The natural backbone of the city, flowing gently through Poznan’s landscape. In summer, its banks come alive with beaches, cycling paths, kayaking and open-air gatherings, turning nature into part of everyday city life.

Stary Browar - Old Brewery

A former industrial complex transformed into one of Europe’s most celebrated examples of art, design and commerce. Where brick walls once shaped beer, today they shape culture, creativity and modern urban life.

Zamek Cesarski - Imperial Castle

A monumental reminder of the Prussian era. It is said that Germans entering the city after the Partitions of Poland were so impressed by Poznan’s order, cleanliness and layout that they joked it could almost be a German city - a compliment the city still remembers with a smile today.

Koziolki Poznanskie - Poznan Goats

The city’s most beloved tradition and playful symbol. Every day at noon, two mechanical goats appear above City Hall and butt heads in front of gathered crowds - a humorous ritual that has been delighting residents and visitors since the 16th century, and has become a defining part of Poznan’s identity and charm

Venue and Presenters

Hala Arena

A modern indoor arena in the heart of Poznan, Hala Arena has been a landmark of the city since the 1970s. Known for its distinctive circular design, it hosts concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, and cultural gatherings, remaining one of western Poland’s most recognizable venues.

Alicja Szemplinska

A talented singer and songwriter with a warm, expressive voice, Alicja rose to national prominence after winning a major Polish television talent competi-tion. Blending contemporary pop with emotional storytelling, she has become one of the most promising young artists on the Polish music scene.

Artur Orzech

A respected broadcaster and commentator, Artur Orzech is one of Poland’s most recognizable television personalities. Known for his calm delivery, musical expertise, and long-standing connection to international entertainment events, he has earned a reputation as a trusted and familiar voice for audiences across the country.

Kuba Szmajkowski

A charismatic pop artist and performer, Kuba first gained attention as a member of a successful boy band before launching a solo career. With energetic stage presence, contemporary pop sound, and a growing catalogue of hits, he has become a popular figure among younger audiences in Poland.

Participants

38 countries

from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania will be on stage in Poznan

Returning countries

Belgium, Lithuania, Philippines, South Korea and Spain

Withdrawing countries

Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia and Turkey

Returning Artists

10th participation

Anxhela Peristeri / GM Champion

8th participation

Harel Skaat / Bronze Medallist

5th participation

Jeck / GM Champion
Kostas Martakis / 4th place
Vlatko Lozanoski / GM Champion

4th participation

BTS / 8th place
Nuno Ribeiro / 14th place

3rd participation

Alex Warren / 6th place
Amna Alajbegovic / Semi Finalist
Clara Luciani / Semi Finalist
Damiano David / GM Champion
Nil Moliner / 14th place
Picture This / 10th place
Remo Forrer / 5th place

2nd participation

Alina Pash / Semi Finalist
Carla Lazzari / GM Champion
Helena Gao / 18th place
Mirella Roininen / 11th place
Mona / 15th place

DEADLINES

June 15th:
Vote in the semi finals
Nominate an artist for Global Music Royalty

June 26th:
Vote in the final and for Global Music Royalty

June 30th:
Submit a song for the next edition

Voting

Give 12, 10, 8...1 point for your top 10
In the final you also have to choose 3 substitutes

Voting forms:
Semi final
Final

Songs & Videos

Dropbox entitled "242 Poznan"

YouTube playlist at TVGlobalMusic

Live Voting & Scoreboards

The Final Live Voting
The Final Scoreboard
The Final July/Televote Split

Semi Final 1 Scoreboard
Semi Final 2 Scoreboard

Video Recaps

The Result

Countries receiving most 12 points / Italy, 5
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / North Macedonia and United States
Countries receiving points from most juries / United States, 20
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / North Macedonia in 7th with 10 points from Andorra and Israel as highest marks
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / Ireland in 20th getting 12 points from Netherlands

The evening unfolded as a contest of shifting momentum, where the juries crowned one leader, but the public had the final word.

Act I - The Juries Find Their Front-Runners
The jury voting opened with Portugal handing out the first set of points, and the early spotlight did not fall on Portugal at all. Instead, Russia made the first strong move, taking early maximum points and briefly looking like the first country to watch.
Portugal’s own scoreboard remained empty through the first four juries. Its campaign only began with the fifth jury, Czechia, and from there the Portuguese entry slowly started to gather weight rather than bursting immediately into contention.
Liechtenstein, meanwhile, became the early architect of consistency, collecting points across several juries and gradually building one of the strongest jury totals of the night. The United States also stayed close, while Italy and the Netherlands kept adding enough high scores to remain part of the upper group.
Portugal’s rise was therefore not an early lead story, but a delayed climb. Once it started scoring, it kept finding enough support to close the gap, eventually reaching the top group before the jury phase ended.
When the final jury had voted, the standings were:
Liechtenstein – 92
United States – 88
Portugal – 87
Italy – 85
Netherlands – 84
Andorra – 75

Liechtenstein held the lead, but by only four points over United States. With the televote still to come, the contest remained wide open.

Act II – The Public Changes the Ending
Then came the televote, revealed one country at a time from the bottom of the jury ranking upwards.
The opening reveals produced only minor changes, with modest scores leaving the top of the leaderboard untouched. The first real surprise came when the United Kingdom, only 22nd after the juries, collected a strong 27 televote points, making one of the evening's biggest climbs.
As the reveal moved into the upper half, several contenders failed to find the public support they needed. Sweden's 8 points ended any realistic hopes of a late charge, while Andorra's 25 and the Netherlands' 26 strengthened their positions without threatening the lead.
Then the race reached its decisive phase.
Italy received 33 televote points, briefly moving into first place and setting a new target for the remaining favourites.
But Portugal had the perfect reply.
Third after the juries, it received the night's biggest televote of 40 points, surging to 127 and suddenly becoming the country to beat.
The United States followed but could not match that total.
Now only one country remained.
Liechtenstein had won the jury vote and was the last to receive its televote. Its 27 points were enough to secure second place overall, but not enough to catch Portugal.
The crown had changed hands.

The Conclusion
This was a final of patience and precision.
Liechtenstein spent the jury vote doing almost everything right, building the strongest foundation of the evening through remarkable consistency. Portugal, meanwhile, never allowed itself to drift too far behind, quietly staying within striking distance while others came and went around it.
The televote provided the turning point.
Italy briefly looked capable of stealing the victory, but Portugal answered with the night's biggest public score, transforming a five-point jury deficit into an eight-point winning margin. By the time Liechtenstein received its televote, the challenge was no longer about taking the lead, but about matching a target that had suddenly become just out of reach.
Global Music 242 will be remembered as a contest where the jury winner did not become the overall winner. Instead, it belonged to the country that timed its strongest performance perfectly.
When the final points were revealed, Portugal had turned opportunity into victory.

The Champion
This was Portugal's 12th medal and the 8th of gold. Portugal triumphed the first time in GM11 and the last time was in GM182.
Portugal is one of the founding members og Global Music and has now competed 191 times, reaching 113 finals and finishing 39 times in the top 10.
Nuno Ribeiro's score of 127 points is the country's highest score since they won GM99 and their 5th highest ever.
Well done Portugal, Nuno Ribeiro and HoD Sandro who wins for the 4th time.

The Winner

“Saloia” by Nuno Ribeiro is a heartfelt pop ballad that blends contemporary songwriting with the warmth of Portuguese musical tradition. The title, referring to a woman from the rural outskirts of Lisbon, carries a sense of nostalgia and authenticity, setting the stage for a song about love, longing, and the enduring pull of cherished memories. Rather than dwelling on heartbreak alone, “Saloia” embraces the beauty of looking back while moving forward.

Musically, the track combines gentle acoustic textures with polished pop production, allowing its emotional core to shine through. Soft guitar melodies, subtle percussion, and sweeping instrumental flourishes gradually build toward a soaring chorus that feels both intimate and uplifting. Nuno Ribeiro’s warm, expressive vocals bring sincerity to every line, giving the song a timeless quality that resonates long after the final note.

In terms of reception, “Saloia” has connected strongly with audiences in Portugal, earning widespread streaming success and radio airplay while further establishing Nuno Ribeiro as one of the country's leading contemporary pop artists. Its blend of emotional storytelling, memorable melodies, and understated elegance has made it one of the standout songs in his growing catalogue.