Here I Stand (Vasil Garvanliev song)

"Here I Stand" is a song by Macedonian singer Vasil Garvanliev. The song represented North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after being internally selected by the national broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT). It did not qualify for the final on 22 May 2021.^[1]

"Here I Stand"
Single by Vasil Garvanliev
Released	12 March 2021
Length	3:00
Label	Megaforce
Songwriter(s)	Vasil Garvanliev
Producer(s)	Borche Kuzmanovski Davor Jordanovski
Vasil Garvanliev singles chronology
"SudBina" (2021) "Here I Stand" (2021)
Music video
"Here I Stand" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2021 entry
Country	North Macedonia
Artist(s)	Vasil Garvanliev
Composer(s)	Borche Kuzmanovski Vasil Garvanliev Davor Jordanovski
Lyricist(s)	Borche Kuzmanovski Vasil Garvanliev Davor Jordanovski
Finals performance
Semi-final result	15th
Semi-final points	23
Entry chronology
◄ "You" (2020)
"Circles" (2022) ►

Background and composition

"Here I Stand" was arranged and produced by Garvanliev alongside Macedonian musicians Borche Kuzamovski and Davor Jordanovski.^[2]

Release and promotion

Controversy of the music video

In March 2021, following the release of Garvanliev's music video for Eurovision 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 the Bulgarian flag. Furthermore, Garvanliev has confirmed he holds Bulgarian 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 the Macedonian Radio Television has formed a special commission. It is to decide whether Garvanliev should withdraw from Eurovision Song Contest over claims he had spread Bulgarian propaganda. The whole case has taken on extreme nationalistic tones.^[5] According to Balkan Insight, this is the first time that the Eurovision has seen such an 'ethnically heated dispute'.^[6] The background of the conflict is due to the complicated Bulgaria–North Macedonia relations.^[7][8]

Garvanliev gave an interview to the Macedonian newspaper Sloboden 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 author Janeta Vangeli and is inspired by Jesus Christ. The Bulgarian flag [colors] are horizontal".^[9] 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.^[10] Garvaliev declared to Slobodan 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 his Facebook 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."^[10] The Macedonian broadcaster in a later montage of the official music video removed the scenes where the disputed artwork appears.

At Eurovision

Internal selection

On 20 January 2021, Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) announced Macedonian singer Vasil Garvanliev as the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.^[11]

Rotterdam

Main article: North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021

The 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Rotterdam, 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 the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Five", consisting of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United 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]

Release history

Release history for "Here I Stand"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref.
Various	12 March 2021	Digital download streaming	Megaforce	^[16]

References

1. McGarry, Andrew (19 May 2021). "Eurovision 2021: Montaigne represents Australia with pre-recorded video at song contest's first semi-final in Rotterdam". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
2. . European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
3. "North Macedonia edits video for Eurovision entry after controversy over Bulgarian flag image".
4. Transitions (16 March 2021). "Balkan Identity Disputes Spill Into Eurovision Arena". Transitions Online. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
5. Prof. Kolozova from Skopje: We are crazy! 03/16/2021, Fakti.bg News.
6. "North Macedonia Eurovision Contestant Accused of Spreading Bulgarian Propaganda". Balkan Insight. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
7. "What lurks behind Bulgaria's "veto" on North Macedonia's accession talks?". New Eastern Europe - A bimonthly news magazine dedicated to Central and Eastern European affairs. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
8. Tcherneva, Goran Buldioski, Vessela (2 December 2020). "How to advance a European solution to Bulgaria's and North Macedonia's dispute – European Council on Foreign Relations". ECFR. Retrieved 17 March 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
9. Anita Zlatkova (3 March 2021). "Exclusively for Free Press - Vasil Garvanliev: Someone obviously wants to make scandals unnecessarily". Sloboden Pecat. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
10. Robyn Gallagher (16 March 2021). "North Macedonia: "I do not apologise for being me" – Vasil speaks out after criticism of artwork shown in "Here I Stand" music video". wiwibloggs.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
11. . European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
12. . European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
13. . European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
14. Eurovision Song Contest 2021. Rotterdam, Netherlands: European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 18–22 May 2021.
15. Groot, Evert (17 November 2020). . European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
16. "Here I Stand – Single by Vasil Garvanliev on Apple Music North Macedonia". Apple Music. 12 March 2021. from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.