Welcome to Karlovy Vary
"The City of Healing Waters"
Welcome to Karlovy Vary, the jewel of Bohemia, where elegance flows as naturally as the thermal waters that made this town world-famous. Nestled in a lush valley embraced by forested hills, the city unfolds like a painted postcard, with pastel colonnades, grand spa houses, and the gentle murmur of the Teplá River guiding your every step.
Wander along ornate promenades where emperors, artists, and visionaries once strolled, sampling the mineral springs from delicate porcelain cups as steam rises softly into the cool air. Each spring has its own character and legend, turning a simple walk into a ritual of wellness and discovery, while the architectural splendor of the Mill Colonnade and Market Colonnade adds a sense of timeless grace.
Karlovy Vary is not only a sanctuary for relaxation but also a stage for culture and glamour. The city comes alive during the internationally renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, when cinema stars and storytellers fill the streets with excitement and sparkle, blending seamlessly with the town’s refined spa atmosphere.
Climb to panoramic viewpoints like Diana Tower for sweeping views over red rooftops and rolling green hills, or lose yourself in the surrounding nature trails where tranquility reigns. In the evening, candlelit cafés and elegant restaurants invite you to savor Czech and international cuisine, accompanied by the famous Becherovka herbal liqueur, born right here.
With its harmonious blend of healing traditions, natural beauty, and refined culture, Karlovy Vary offers an experience that soothes the body and enchants the soul. Come and immerse yourself in a town where time slows, elegance lingers, and every moment feels like a gentle indulgence.
Wander along ornate promenades where emperors, artists, and visionaries once strolled, sampling the mineral springs from delicate porcelain cups as steam rises softly into the cool air. Each spring has its own character and legend, turning a simple walk into a ritual of wellness and discovery, while the architectural splendor of the Mill Colonnade and Market Colonnade adds a sense of timeless grace.
Karlovy Vary is not only a sanctuary for relaxation but also a stage for culture and glamour. The city comes alive during the internationally renowned Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, when cinema stars and storytellers fill the streets with excitement and sparkle, blending seamlessly with the town’s refined spa atmosphere.
Climb to panoramic viewpoints like Diana Tower for sweeping views over red rooftops and rolling green hills, or lose yourself in the surrounding nature trails where tranquility reigns. In the evening, candlelit cafés and elegant restaurants invite you to savor Czech and international cuisine, accompanied by the famous Becherovka herbal liqueur, born right here.
With its harmonious blend of healing traditions, natural beauty, and refined culture, Karlovy Vary offers an experience that soothes the body and enchants the soul. Come and immerse yourself in a town where time slows, elegance lingers, and every moment feels like a gentle indulgence.
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9 Highlights
- The Mill Colonnade, Karlovy Vary’s most iconic landmark, is a grand neo-Renaissance structure housing several hot mineral springs and forming the architectural and social heart of the spa town
- The Historic spa center, with pastel-colored spa houses, ornate hotels, and riverfront promenades, reflects the town’s 19th-century golden age as a retreat for European nobility
- The Diana Observation Tower, reached by funicular or forest paths, offers sweeping views over Karlovy Vary’s red roofs and surrounding wooded hills
- The Vrídelní Colonnade, home to the Vřídlo geyser that shoots thermal water up to 12 meters high, showcases the raw power behind the town’s world-famous thermal springs
- The Svatosské Rocks, a dramatic granite rock formation above the Ohře River, provide one of the region’s most scenic hiking areas, complete with a legendary footbridge
- The Market Colonnade, a wooden, ornamented structure near the river, shelters historic springs and adds fairy-tale charm to the old town
- The Loket Castle, in the nearby medieval town of Loket, crowns a rocky river bend and ranks among the Czech Republic’s most photogenic fortresses
- The Ján Becher Museum, dedicated to Becherovka liqueur, explores the town’s signature herbal drink through historic cellars and tastings
- The Grandhotel Pupp, a lavish Belle Époque hotel overlooking the Teplá River, is one of Central Europe’s most famous spa hotels and a defining visual symbol of Karlovy Vary’s elegance
Host City / Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Venue / Mattoni Arena
Hosts / Radka Rosická and Jakub Kotek
Participating countries / 40
Returning countries / Australia, Finland, Montenegro and Ukraine
Withdrawing countries / Bosnia-Herzegovina
Debuting players / None
Venue / Mattoni Arena
Hosts / Radka Rosická and Jakub Kotek
Participating countries / 40
Returning countries / Australia, Finland, Montenegro and Ukraine
Withdrawing countries / Bosnia-Herzegovina
Debuting players / None
Returning Artists
15 |
David Guetta / 5 times for France, 4 times for Monaco and once for Ghana, United Kingdom and United States / Double Global Music Champion
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12 |
Soraya Arnelas / 7 times for Spain, twice for Andorra and once for Cuba and Luxembourg / 6th place
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09 |
Jane Zhang / 7 times for China and once for Italy / 11th place
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08 |
Dua Lipa / twice for Kosovo and South Korea and once for United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Netherlands / 5th place
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07 |
Agnes Carlsson / for Sweden / Double Global Music Champion
Eluveitie / for Switzerland / Silver Medallist Gjon's Tears / 4 times for Switzerland and twice for Albania / Double Bronze Medallist Lorena Gómez / 4 times for Andorra and once for Spain and Jordan / Global Music Champion |
06 |
Guy Sebastian / 4 times for Australia and once for Malaysia / Global Music Champion
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05 |
Matoma / twice for Norway and United States / Silver Medallist
Of Monsters and Men / for Iceland / 6th place sanah / for Poland / 8th place |
04 |
Sugababes / for United Kingdom / Bronze Medallist
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03 |
Alex Vargas / for Denmark / 6th place
Asiya / once for Russia and Kyrgysztan / 17th place Jerry Heil / once for Ukraine and Netherlands / Global Music Champion |
02 |
BGYO / for Philippines / Semi Finalist
Ilona Csáková / for Czech Republic / Semi Finalist Jerub / for United Kingdom / Global Music Champion Kanita Suma / for North Macedonia / Semi Finalist Peter Serrado / for Canada / 17th place Sobel / for Poland / 24th place Teddy Swims / for United States / 8th place Tones and I / for Australia / 15th place |
DEADLINESJanuary 15th:
Vote in the semi finals January 26th: Vote in the final January 31st: Submit a song for the next edition |
VotingGive 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 |
Live Voting |
Scoreboards |
The Result
Countries receiving most 12 points / Denmark and Greece, 3
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / China and Greece
Countries receiving points from most juries / Ukraine, 21
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Andorra in 7th with 10 points from Canada as highest mark
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / South Korea in 25th getting 12 points from Albania
The first top mark was handed out to Denmark, but their lead didn't last long and they passed it on to Germany and France, before Ukraine took over about one third into the jury vote. For the last third, Ukraine took turns with Greece in leading the scoreboard, but at the end Ukraine was on top ahead of Greece, Norway, United Kingdom and Netherlands. As we are used to, the public had a different opinion, and only Norway repeated in the top five, placing third in the televote. The public's favourite was Germany, who was only 13th with the juries. They were closely followed by Denmark (7th with the juries), Norway, Poland (23rd) and Canada (19th). Though the televote changed some placings, the combined top five was that of the jury vote, giving Ukraine their second trophy, Greece the silver medal and Norway the bronze. United Kingdom and Netherlands rounded out the top 5.
Ukraine debuted in GM14 and finished a respectable 6th on their second attempt. However, after only 4 participations, they quit and did not return until GM30. Still, they did not become a regular player, because the results weren't all that impressive, and the Head of Delegations constantly changed. When Ukraine finally cracked the top 5 in GM121, they were already on their 14th HoD! The current HoD, Olya, who came onboard in GM169 is the 19th player to head the Ukrainian delegation and she quickly became the one with the longest tenure, and within the first 25 editions she made Ukraine reach the top 10 five times. And then, finally in GM194, Ukraine won their first medal and it was of the purest gold, when KAZKA triumphed. Since then, another 8 top 10 results have been achieved, but no more medals until now. After a total of 139 participations, 70 finals and 25 top 10 results, Ukraine lifts the trophy for the second time. Well done Ukraine, Jerry Heil and Olya!
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / China and Greece
Countries receiving points from most juries / Ukraine, 21
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Andorra in 7th with 10 points from Canada as highest mark
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / South Korea in 25th getting 12 points from Albania
The first top mark was handed out to Denmark, but their lead didn't last long and they passed it on to Germany and France, before Ukraine took over about one third into the jury vote. For the last third, Ukraine took turns with Greece in leading the scoreboard, but at the end Ukraine was on top ahead of Greece, Norway, United Kingdom and Netherlands. As we are used to, the public had a different opinion, and only Norway repeated in the top five, placing third in the televote. The public's favourite was Germany, who was only 13th with the juries. They were closely followed by Denmark (7th with the juries), Norway, Poland (23rd) and Canada (19th). Though the televote changed some placings, the combined top five was that of the jury vote, giving Ukraine their second trophy, Greece the silver medal and Norway the bronze. United Kingdom and Netherlands rounded out the top 5.
Ukraine debuted in GM14 and finished a respectable 6th on their second attempt. However, after only 4 participations, they quit and did not return until GM30. Still, they did not become a regular player, because the results weren't all that impressive, and the Head of Delegations constantly changed. When Ukraine finally cracked the top 5 in GM121, they were already on their 14th HoD! The current HoD, Olya, who came onboard in GM169 is the 19th player to head the Ukrainian delegation and she quickly became the one with the longest tenure, and within the first 25 editions she made Ukraine reach the top 10 five times. And then, finally in GM194, Ukraine won their first medal and it was of the purest gold, when KAZKA triumphed. Since then, another 8 top 10 results have been achieved, but no more medals until now. After a total of 139 participations, 70 finals and 25 top 10 results, Ukraine lifts the trophy for the second time. Well done Ukraine, Jerry Heil and Olya!
The Winner
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“Dodaiy guchnosti” by Jerry Heil is a bold and introspective pop-art song that weaves vulnerability with sharp emotional intelligence. The title - which translates to “Give me tenderness” - sets the tone for a track that’s about craving warmth, softness, and genuine connection in a world that often feels brusque and hurried. Jerry Heil’s lyrics balance raw emotional appeal with self-awareness, giving voice to the universal longing for closeness without surrendering strength.
Musically, the song blends modern pop textures with expressive vocal delivery, pairing intimate verses with a chorus that opens into an emotional release. The production supports the sentiment, with dynamic swells and gentle electronic flourishes that underscore the contrast between fragility and resolve. Jerry’s voice carries both sweetness and grit, making the journey from introspection to catharsis feel personal and real. On the charts, “Dodaiy guchnosti” resonated strongly in Ukraine and within Jerry Heil’s international fanbase, bolstered by streaming momentum and social media buzz. Its blend of heartfelt lyricism and contemporary pop appeal helped it find traction on playlists and radio rotations, marking it as another impactful release in Jerry Heil’s evolving artistic arc. |
The Final
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01
148 points |
02
130 points |
03
117 points |
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Semi Final One
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01.
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Norway
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Matoma & Arve Tellefsen feat. May
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Sju&TrædveMil
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109 points
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02.
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Netherlands
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Bodine Monet
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Tears like rain
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94 points
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03.
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Albania
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Gjon's Tears
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Où est mon amour
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88 points
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04.
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Greece
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Klavdia
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Anemos
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81 points
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05.
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Spain
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Soraya
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Heaven knows
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78 points
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06.
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Germany
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Gregor Hägele
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Let me go
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75 points
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07.
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Finland
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Mirella
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Vähän enemmän
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75 points
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08.
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Andorra
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Lorena Gomez
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Tanto
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73 points
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09.
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South Korea
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Jennie feat. Dua Lipa
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Handlebars
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73 points
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10.
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United Kingdom
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Jerub
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Kumbaya
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61 points
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11.
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Ireland
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Sugababes
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Too lost in you
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58 points
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Semi Final Two
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01.
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Ukraine
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Jerry Heil
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Dodaiy guchnosti
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114 points
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02.
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France
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Valentina
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T'es pas là
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102 points
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03.
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China
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Jane Zhang
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Above destiny
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83 points
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04.
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Iceland
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Of Monsters and Men
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Ordinary creature
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83 points
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05.
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Montenegro
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Durda
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Dominos
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80 points
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06.
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Belgium
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Typh Barrow
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Close to me
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75 points
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07.
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Denmark
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Alex Vargas
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Shine your way out
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71 points
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08.
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San Marino
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Sarah Toscano
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Amarcord
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68 points
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09.
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Australia
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Guy Sebastian
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Get it done
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66 points
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10.
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Canada
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Peter Serrado
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If it all came down to this
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63 points
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