KOLGÓRA – Zalivnia’s SOFIA & DJ Andy V has won the 2021 Geovision contest with their song Deca Techna. The artists, a hit with many audiences around the globe, came to the top of the leaderboard with 86 points. On the other hand, Wallea came second with 81 points, while Semanya came third with 73 points.

Although the Zalivinian entry initially did not score well in the semi-finals with only 67 points, its performance “greatly improved” during the finals. The entry was praised for its “unique routine and staging”, with “spetaculor” set-pieces. The lyrics of Deca Techna was also “very relatable”, said a jury for the contest.

Deca Techna is one of the few winning non-Ingerish songs sung in its native Zalivinian. The most recent non-Ingerish winning entry was from Elhádon in 2015.

“This is the proudest moment of my life,” said the Zalivinian lead singer Sofija Miljen, as she and her partner Andrija Vuksić received their trophy from the last year’s winner. “It has been great representing my country to the world. I hope this will inspire more of our countrymen to represent our country to the world.”

“It is also a monumental event for me as well,” said Vuksić. “He is also a great partner, and we have been singing together for the past ten years. This is the pinnacle of our partnership.”

The other participants had also sent congratulations to the winners. Semanyan singer Karila hopes to see SOFIA & DJ Andy V next year in Ulinje, which will host the next Geovision contest. Tassa Esibraṭa, the Mauretian repreentative, viewed the song and its singers as “inspirational”.