Poland Eurovision Selection 2023
For the second year, Polish Television (TVP) organized a national final select the country’s entry „Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję! ” or “Here Beats Europe’s Heart! Let’s Choose a Hit for Eurovision!”.
The process kicked off in September 2022, when TVP opened nominations. 300 songs were submitted, from which a jury selected ten finalists. The chosen acts gathered in Warsaw’s Transcolor stadium on Sunday 26 February, joined by Eurovision alumni. 50% of the vote came from the public and 50% from a jury of professionals. They selected Blanka Stajkow’s entry, Solo, to fly the red and white flag in Liverpool.
The ten finalists were:
1. Natasza Urbańska, Lift U Up
Defying the title, Natasza was lowered in from the ceiling upside down to open this mid-tempo rocky number.
2. Kuba Szmajkowski, You Do Me
This teen pop number in a minor key was spiced up with pyrotechnics.
3. Ahlena, Booty
This controversial R&B song was apparently about relationships, but the dancing reflected the title!
4. Dominik Dudek, Be Good
The winner of The Voice Poland presented an up-tempo, cheerful folk-rock number.
5. Alicja Szemplińska, New Home
Poland’s pick for the cancelled 2020 contest sang an emotional ballad about those forced from their homes by war and disaster.
6. Felivers, Never Back Down
Sochaczew’s own “Fab 4” gave us a rocky number in a sea of dry ice with Polish language rapping and a key change.
7. Maja Hyży, Never Hide
This up-tempo dance number started with tableaus worthy of David Bowie.
8. Jann, Gladiator
The pre-show favourite was dark, intense, and sexually provocative. It featured leather and rapping in a rocky style.
9. Blanka Stajkow, Solo
Half-Polish, half-Bulgarian Blanka presented a song with a Disco Polo/ holiday feel, group dancing and a jungle-like set.
10. Yan Majewski, Champion
Well known for appearances on TV talent shows, Yan presented a sports-themed anthem with some interesting colour effects.
During the concert, there were several special Eurovision performances:
Stefania, Last Dance (Greece, 2021)
Sara James, Somebody (Poland JESC, 2021)
Efendi, Mata Hari (Azerbaijan, 2021)
Roxie Węgiel, Anyone I Want to Be (Poland JESC, 2018)
Kristian Ochman, River (Poland, 2022)
Edyta Górniak (Poland 1994) presented a recent song Andromeda
Górniak (who remains the most successful Pole in the senior contest) was also the chair of the jury, joined by music journalist Marek Sierocki, choreographer Agustin Egurrola and director of the Polish radio first program Marcin Kusy. They placed Blanka first, followed by Dudek and Felivers.
The public votes were then added. Blanka remained in first place, followed by Jann (who had ranked fourth with the jury) and Dudek.
Not for the first time, the Polish results are controversial. There have been concerns raised about the transparency of the selection process, independent of the jury and the originality of Blanka’s winning song.
Nonetheless, Blanka was presented with her ticket to Liverpool, and we will see her in the second semi-final in Liverpool on 11 May.