| "Here I Stand" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byVasil Garvanliev | ||||
| Released | 12 March 2021 | |||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Megaforce | |||
| Songwriter | Vasil Garvanliev | |||
| Producers |
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| Vasil Garvanliev singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Here I Stand" onYouTube | ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 2021 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Artist | Vasil Garvanliev | |||
| Composers |
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| Lyricists |
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| Finals performance | ||||
| Semi-final result | 15th | |||
| Semi-final points | 23 | |||
| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "You" (2020) | ||||
| "Circles" (2022) ► | ||||
"Here I Stand" is a song by Macedonian singerVasil Garvanliev. The songrepresented North Macedonia in theEurovision Song Contest 2021 inRotterdam, the Netherlands, after being internally selected by the national broadcasterMacedonian Radio Television (MRT). It did not qualify for the final on 22 May 2021.[1]
"Here I Stand" was arranged and produced by Garvanliev alongside Macedonian musicians Borche Kuzamovski and Davor Jordanovski.[2]
In March 2021, following the release of Garvanliev's music video forEurovision 2021 a controversy arose. The reason was a piece of art in the venue where the music video was shot that resembled the colors of theBulgarian flag. Furthermore, Garvanliev has confirmed he holdsBulgarian citizenship, due to his grandmother's origin.[3] Because of the public pressure the video was eventually edited by Garvanliev.[3][4] Although in the past North Macedonia was presented on Eurovision from people with diverse ethnic backgrounds in this case theMacedonian Radio Television formed a special commission to decide whether Garvanliev should withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest over claims he had spread "Bulgarian propaganda". According toBalkan Insight, this is the first time that the Eurovision has seen such an 'ethnically heated dispute'.[5] The background of the conflict is due to the complicatedBulgaria–North Macedonia relations.[6][7]
Garvanliev gave an interview to the Macedonian newspaperSloboden Pechat, in which he said the artwork in the video "had no deliberate connection with the Bulgarian flag", adding that the triptych artwork in the video is a "creation of the authorJaneta Vangeli and is inspired byJesus Christ. The Bulgarian flag [colors] are horizontal".[8] The artwork involved is displayed in the Daut Pasha bath where the video was shot and involves three vertical panels of cream, green and a rusty orange colour. To some, this was a little too similar to the Bulgarian flag, which involves horizontal stripes of white, green and red.[9] Garvaliev declared toSlobodan Pechat: "The gallery has a beautiful display of works of art and no one involved in the video was allowed to interfere with them." Garvanliev also directly addressed fans with a video posted to hisFacebook account. Speaking in Macedonian, he clearly explained his stance on the situation. In the post caption, he wrote: "I am a music ambassador, and in music there is no religion, politics, orientation, race or color. I had absolutely no intentions to hurt anybody. Quite the opposite!" adding: "I am so proud of this project which not only embodies me, but my country and culture – musicians and featured artists in the gallery. I do not apologise for being me. I never will – I didn't have a choice in that. However, if I hurt anybody in any way, from the bottom of my heart... I am sorry. Forgive me."[9] The Macedonian broadcaster in a later montage of the official music video removed the scenes where the disputed artwork appears. MRT's commission decided that Garvanliev would remain as the representative.[10]
On 20 January 2021,Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) announced Macedonian singerVasil Garvanliev as thecountry's representative for theEurovision Song Contest 2021.[11]
The65th edition of theEurovision Song Contest is taking place inRotterdam, the Netherlands and consists of two semi-finals on 18 May and 20 May 2021, and the grand final on 22 May 2021.[12] According to theEurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Five", consisting ofFrance,Germany,Italy,Spain and theUnited Kingdom, are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the final, although the top 10 countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.[13][14] On 17 November 2020, it was announced that North Macedonia would be performing in the first half of the first semi-final of the contest.[15] The song did not quality for the final, to be held on 22 May 2021.[1]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 12 March 2021 |
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