Netherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016
The Netherlands participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 which took place in Valletta, Malta on 20 November 2016. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, was responsible for the organisation of their representative at the contest. The band, Kisses, a trio consisting of three girls: Kymora, Stefania and Sterre, were chosen internally by the Dutch broadcaster on 27 May 2016. Kisses performed their song "Kisses and Dancin'".
Background
Prior to the 2016 Contest, the Netherlands had participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest thirteen times since its first entry in 2003. The Netherlands has won the contest on one occasion: in 2009 with the song "Click Clack" performed by Ralf Mackenbach. In 2015 the Netherlands placed 15th out of 17 entries with the song "Million Lights" performed by Shalisa.
On 27 May 2016, Kymora, Stefania and Sterre were internally selected to represent the Netherlands at the 2016 contest in Valletta, Malta by AVROTROS among 29 young artists and 8 finalists after two auditions, held on May 21 and 22. Their song for the contest, "Kisses and dancin'", was presented on 1 October 2016.
Artist and song information
Kisses
Kisses is a Dutch girl group, consisting of three members: Stefania, Kymora and Sterre. They represented the Netherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Valletta, Malta on 20 November 2016 with the song "Kisses and Dancin'". Kymora Sade grew up speaking two languages, German and Dutch, because her mother is German. Besides singing and dancing, she loves to play the guitar and the piano. She attends a special high school in Amsterdam where she takes various art classes. She has acted in two professional musicals: Amandla Mandela and Waanzinnig Gedroomd. Stefania Liberakakis is from an originally Greek family that settled in Utrecht, and grew up speaking both Dutch and Greek. Before she auditioned for Junior Songfestival, she competed in The Voice Kids and sang in the Dutch children's choirKinderen voor Kinderen alongside fellow Kisses member Sterre. They performed twice for the royal family as part of this choir. She was initially represented Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 and it went on to cancel the event due to COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after, Stefania was announced that she will represent Greece again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. Sterre Koning has a lot of experience as a singer and as an actress in TV commercials. Sterre is part of JEANS TeenZ, a group of talented teens that performs in theatres. She takes singing and dancing classes in Amsterdam. She also loves to play the guitar, vlog, read, take photos, or hang out with her friends.
Kisses and Dancin'
"Kisses and Dancin'" is a song by Dutch girl bandKisses. It will represent the Netherlands during the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016. It is composed and written by Joost Griffioen, Stas Swaczyna and Hansen Tomas.
At Junior Eurovision
During the opening ceremony and the running order draw which took place on 14 November 2016, the Netherlands was drawn to perform fifteenth on 20 November 2016, following Australia and preceding Cyprus. The final will be broadcast in the Netherlands on NPO 3 with commentary by Jan Smit.
Final
Voting
During the press conference for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016, held in Stockholm, the Reference Group announced several changes to the voting format for the 2016 contest. Previously, points had been awarded based on a combination of 50% National juries and 50% televoting, with one more set of points also given out by a 'Kids' Jury'. However, this year, points will be awarded based on a 50/50 combination of each country's Adult and, to be announced by a spokesperson. For the first time since the inauguration of the contest the voting procedure will not include a public televote. Following these results, three expert jurors will also announce their points from 1-8, 10, and 12. These professional jurors are: Christer Björkman, Mads Grimstad, and Jedward.
