Welcome to Gyeongju
"the Museum without Walls"
Welcome to Gyeongju, South Korea's living museum, where the past and present converge in a mesmerizing tapestry of culture and history. This enchanting city, often referred to as the "Museum Without Walls," is a treasure trove of ancient relics and natural beauty, waiting to captivate your senses. Gyeongju's legacy as the capital of the Silla Kingdom, over a millennium ago, is palpable in every corner. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic sites, such as the Bulguksa Temple, a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture, and the Seokguram Grotto, home to a serene stone Buddha. These ancient wonders invite you to step back in time and experience the spiritual essence of Korea's past. Wander through the sprawling Tumuli Park, where grassy mounds conceal the tombs of ancient Silla kings and nobles. The serene atmosphere and scenic vistas make it a perfect place for contemplation and leisurely walks. The Cheomseongdae Observatory, one of the world's oldest astronomical observatories, stands as a testament to Silla's advanced knowledge and scientific achievements. Climb its stone steps for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside. Gyeongju's rich heritage is not limited to its historical sites. Explore the Anapji Pond, a tranquil oasis that once served as a royal garden during the Silla era. Its reflections of vibrant lotus flowers and surrounding pavilions create a picturesque scene that changes with the seasons. The city's vibrant markets, like the Gyeongju Jungang Market, offer a taste of contemporary Korean culture. Savor local street food, shop for traditional handicrafts, and immerse yourself in the friendly bustle of local life. For a touch of natural beauty, take a leisurely bike ride along the scenic Bomun Lake. Surrounded by lush greenery, it's the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. As the sun sets, Gyeongju's charm comes alive. Visit the Gyeongju Namsan Folk Village, where traditional Korean architecture and cultural performances transport you to a bygone era. Then, savor the flavors of regional cuisine at local restaurants, where dishes like bibimbap and haejangguk will tantalize your taste buds. Gyeongju invites you to step into the pages of history and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Korea's past. Whether you're an archaeology enthusiast, a nature lover, or a cultural explorer, Gyeongju promises a journey of discovery and wonder.
Host City / Gyeongju, South Korea
Venue / Center Art Gyeonggi
Hosts / Jenna Ushkowitz and Steven Yeun
Participating countries / 52
Debuting countries / Tanzania
Returning countries / Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, Greece, Monaco, Suriname, Uruguay and Uzbekistan
Withdrawing countries / Ghana, Morocco, New Zealand, San Marino and Venezuela
Debuting players / José Mora for Colombia, José Oropeza for Uruguay and Mathijs for Suriname
Venue / Center Art Gyeonggi
Hosts / Jenna Ushkowitz and Steven Yeun
Participating countries / 52
Debuting countries / Tanzania
Returning countries / Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, Greece, Monaco, Suriname, Uruguay and Uzbekistan
Withdrawing countries / Ghana, Morocco, New Zealand, San Marino and Venezuela
Debuting players / José Mora for Colombia, José Oropeza for Uruguay and Mathijs for Suriname
Returning Artists
Chen Aharoni / for Israel / placing 6th
Cornelia Mooswalder / for Austria / placing 4th Dani Martín / for Spain / not qualifying for the final De Kast / for Netherlands / not qualifying for the final Gisela / for Andorra / placing 6th Maite Perroni / for Mexico / placing 23rd Sogdiana / for Uzbekistan / not placing Thomas Godoj / for Germany / placing 5th |
The Result
Countries receiving most 12 points / Turkey and United Kingdom, 5
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / Sweden, Denmark and Colombia
Countries receiving points from most juries / Israel, 23
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Estonia in 10th with 10 points from Austria, Turkey, Malta and United States as highest marks
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / Germany in 26th, getting 12 points from South Africa
Through out the entire voting, the lead changed regularly with 3 countries contending for victory in a very tight race. Pakistan lead in the early stages, but then it became a battle between Israel, United Kingdom and Sweden. Towards the end, it seemed that Sweden would claim their 12th victory, but the other two never gave up, and when all the votes had been cast, Israel was left on top for the third time. Sweden and United Kingdom settled for the silver and bronze respectively, with Canada and Pakistan rounding out the top 5.
Israel hadn't tasted gold since GM08, so their third trophy was way over due. Israel has been one of the most consistant participants in the contest, taking part since the very first edition. Having only missed a total of 10 editions since, Israel has competed 84 times, reaching the final on 71 occasions, finishing in top 10 a total of 29 times, winning 5 medals. Their first medal, one of silver, was won on only their second participations, and the very next edition - in GM03 - they took one step up the podium to claim their first gold medal, when Miri Mesika finished on top. Only 5 editions later, Israel scored the most points again and claimed their second trophy. Since then Israel has done pretty well, often finishing in the top 10, but until now they have only won one other medal, but who cares about that now. Rami, the curent HoD, is only the second HoD for Israel. He took over the Israeli delegation all the way back in GM20, and though he has since won a bronze medal, he had to wait 75 editions for his first victory! Very well done Chen Aharoni, Rami and Israel!
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / Sweden, Denmark and Colombia
Countries receiving points from most juries / Israel, 23
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Estonia in 10th with 10 points from Austria, Turkey, Malta and United States as highest marks
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / Germany in 26th, getting 12 points from South Africa
Through out the entire voting, the lead changed regularly with 3 countries contending for victory in a very tight race. Pakistan lead in the early stages, but then it became a battle between Israel, United Kingdom and Sweden. Towards the end, it seemed that Sweden would claim their 12th victory, but the other two never gave up, and when all the votes had been cast, Israel was left on top for the third time. Sweden and United Kingdom settled for the silver and bronze respectively, with Canada and Pakistan rounding out the top 5.
Israel hadn't tasted gold since GM08, so their third trophy was way over due. Israel has been one of the most consistant participants in the contest, taking part since the very first edition. Having only missed a total of 10 editions since, Israel has competed 84 times, reaching the final on 71 occasions, finishing in top 10 a total of 29 times, winning 5 medals. Their first medal, one of silver, was won on only their second participations, and the very next edition - in GM03 - they took one step up the podium to claim their first gold medal, when Miri Mesika finished on top. Only 5 editions later, Israel scored the most points again and claimed their second trophy. Since then Israel has done pretty well, often finishing in the top 10, but until now they have only won one other medal, but who cares about that now. Rami, the curent HoD, is only the second HoD for Israel. He took over the Israeli delegation all the way back in GM20, and though he has since won a bronze medal, he had to wait 75 editions for his first victory! Very well done Chen Aharoni, Rami and Israel!
The Winner
Scoreboards and Live Voting
Voting
12, 10, 8...1 point for your top 10
In the final you also have to choose 3 substitutes
The voting forms are here / Semi final and Final
In the final you also have to choose 3 substitutes
The voting forms are here / Semi final and Final
Watching the Videos
All the videos are in the YouTube playlist at TVGlobalMusic