It’s interesting they revealed the running order one month before the Contest again this year. The order has an interesting allotment. Malta who was last-up last year is first-up this year. Albania ended the main Eurovision back in May and it will will end Junior Eurovision next month! Host nation Georgia has a favorable position with 15th. We’ll have a better sense how it works the entries when all the songs are decided. My latest review is for the song that’s sixth in the running order.
UKRAINE
Song: “Motanka”
Performer: Sofia Nersesian
Once again, Ukraine held a national final to determine the performer and the song to perform in Tbilisi. The winner was decided to be ten-year old Sofia Nersesian and her song “Motanka.” For those that don’t know, the Motanka doll is a doll with a cross for a face and was seen as a symbol of good luck for the family in ancient times. The Motanka dolls are still popular today and are considered an important part of Ukrainian identity. The song’s lyrics are Sofia telling her Motanka doll to give her protection in daily life. Although there’s no mention of the ongoing war in this song, you can sense she’s praying for protection during wartime. The song is a mix of vibes going from the intense to the danceable and Sofia’s vocals in the song are very dramatic. The song gives a lot to like and is loaded with both energy and intensity.
JESC Chances: Last year, Artem Kotenko helped Ukraine get its fourth Top 3 finish. Ukraine is good at finishing in the Top 10 but often has difficulty getting into the Top 3. This song is loaded with the right energy and already has some good staging. Staging may need some improvements. As for the song’s chances of winning, it’s too soon to tell. So far, it’s the leader but not too many songs have been released yet. As the competition starts being released gradually, we’ll get a better sense. One thing with Eurovision songs is when a nation has a standout song one year, Eurofans will compare the next year’s song to that standout song. Motanka risks being compared to “Dim (Hear Me Now).” It shouldn’t be, but it can happen.
Listen to Ukrainian Junior Eurovision 2025 song
Lyrics of Motanka
Ukrainian/ English
Мотанка, мотанка
Мотанка, мота – мота- мотанка
Мотанка – мота – мота – мотанка
Мотанка лялечка НЕ СПИТЬ
Ниточки світяться – Віра горить
Мота – мота
Мота – мота
Мота – мота
Мота – мота
О люлі люлі, люлі, ой люлі
Коло вікон не ходи, не ходи
Коло вікон там не сон, дрімота
Коло вікон вже давно темнота
Та я тебе темрява не боюсь
Голос мій чуєш – за світло борюсь
Мотанка лялечка НЕ СПИТЬ
Ниточки світяться – Віра горить
Оооооо
Mota, mota – motanka, my own,
Save my life, don’t leave me all alone.
Mota, mota – motanka, I pray,
Trade my tears for warm rain on the way.
Мота – мота – мотанка моя
Збережи, прошу моє життя
Мота – мота – мотанка прошу
Замість сліз дай теплого дощу
Замість сліз дай теплого, замість сліз дай теплого… теплого дощу…
Мота – мота
Мота – мота
Мотанку – лялечку
Що мені змалечку
Рідненькі рученьки мами дали
Темною нічкою, най захистить тебе
Мотанка лялечка
твій Оберіг
Ой люлі, люлі, ой люлі
Різні у мотанки є кольори
Мотанка лялечка НЕ СПИТЬ
Ниточки світяться – Віра горить
Ооооо
Mota, mota – motanka, my own,
Save my life, don’t leave me all alone.
Mota, mota – motanka, I pray,
Trade my tears for warm rain on the way.
Мота – мота – мотанка моя
Збережи, прошу моє життя
Мота – мота – мотанка прошу
Замість сліз дай теплого дощу
Мотанка, мота – мота- мотанка
Мотанка – мота мота – мотанка
Оооооо
мота, мота – мотанка
Мота, Мота
English
Motanka, motanka,
Motanka, mota-mota-motanka
Motanka, mota-mota-motanka
Motanka is not sleeping
The threads are glowing – faith is shining within
Shhh…
Mota-mota
Mota-mota
Mota-mota
Mota-mota
Oh lullay, lullay, oh lullay
Don’t walk near the windows, don’t walk
By the window there’s no sleep, just a dream
It has been dark by the windows for a long time
But I’m not afraid of the dark,
Hear my voice – I fight for light
Motanka doll is not sleeping,
The threads are glowing – faith is shining within
Ooooh…
Mota-mota-motanka, my own,
Save my life, don’t leave me alone.
Mota-mota-motanka, I pray,
Trade my tears for warm rain on the way.
Mota-mota-motanka, my own,
Save my life, I beg you.
Mota-mota-motanka, please,
Instead of tears, give me warm rain
Instead of tears, give me warm
Instead of tears, give me warm
Warm rain
Shhh…
Mota-mota
Mota-mota
Motanka-doll
That my dear mother’s hands
Gave me when I was a little girl
May it protect you in the dark night
Motanka-doll, your talisman
Oh lullay, lullay, oh lullay
Motanka has different colours
Motanka-doll is not sleeping
The threads are glowing – faith is shining within
Ooooh…
Mota-mota -motanka, my own
Save my life, don’t leave me alone
Mota-mota-motanka, I pray
Trade my tears for warm rain on the way
Mota-mota-motanka, my own
Save my life, I beg you
Mota-mota-motanka, please
Instead of tears, give me warm rain
Motanka, mota-mota-motanka
Motanka, mota-mota-motanka
Ooooh…
Mota-mota-motanka
Shhh…
Mota, mota
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