Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006


Belarus was represented by Polina Smolova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Mum". The song, an upbeat pop song that resembles the styles of Michael Jackson, was written by Andrey Kostiugov and composed by Sergey Sukhomlin.
Polina Smolova started her singing career with participations in children folk bands. She has graduated from music school in the piano department and sang in the children’s folk theater "Gostsitsa" as part of the Belarusian folk ensemble "Zhavaranachki." Polina later graduated from the Glinka Music College in the department of solo traditional singing from the Belarus State University of Culture and Art. She performed in the State Youth Music Theater as a soloist of the State Department of Internal Affairs Orchestra. She has participated in many song contests such as "Malvy", "Galasy radzimy", "Golosa Evropy", and the winner of the contest "Slavyanski Bazar v Vitebske" in 2005. Polina attempted to represent Belarus last year, and although she was the public's favourite, she didn't win because she was not selected by the jury.

Before Eurovision

Eurofest 2006

The winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a televised final took place on 10 February 2006 at the Republic Palace in Minsk, hosted by Denis Kurian, with the top three entries being selected by a public televote to proceed to the second round, which took place on 27 February 2006. In the untelevised second round on 27 January 2006, a professional jury selected the song "Mama" performed by Polina Smolova as the winner of the competition.

Preparation

For the contest, the winning song "Mama" has been revamped and renamed as "Mum" specifically for the contest.

At Eurovision

Because Belarus failed to qualify in 2005, Polina was required to compete in the Eurovision semi-final. She performed fifth, following Andorra and preceding the Albania. She came 22nd with 10 points, failing to qualify to the Grand Final.

Points awarded by Belarus[Eurovision [Song Contest 2006]]

Semi final

Final

Points awarded to Belarus