🇵🇱 TES Preview: Emotional, warm and impactful for Maja’s first rehearsal

Today rehearsals for Junior Eurovision 2023 continue in Nice. Countries rehearsing on Day 2 include Ireland, Albania, Poland, France, Spain and Italy. The third country to rehearse today is Poland’s Maja Krzyżewska.

What did we learn about Maja’s staging?

Disclaimer: Please note that the EBU has not released footage from the first rehearsals, and that the description detailed in this article is mainly based from the pictures and if available footage from the delegations themselves.

This is really sweet, the backdrops of a younger Maja really make this wholesome. There is a darkness to this when the LEDS go black and we see “I Just Need a Friend” on the backdrop. The whole thing will really pack an emotional punch to the viewers watching at home. Maja is joined on stage by dancers which works very well for the message of the song. The pink lighting in parts also brings a sense of warmth to this as well, the whole thing is just extremely touching.

If you are interested in seeing more pictures from Maja’s first rehearsal today, you can look through them right here.

Who is Maja Krzyżewska?

Maja Krzyżewska–or “Maja from the end of the world”, as she calls herself–first appeared in the public eye through her participation on Poland’s edition of The Voice Kids. While there, she was coached by Cleo, former Polish Eurovision representative in 2014. Aside from singing, Maja enjoys performing aerial silks.

Her nickname “Maja from the end of the world” refers to her tiny village of Szeszupka, Poland, a town with fewer permanent residents than there are Junior Eurovision participants.

In 2023, Maja Krzyżewska won the opportunity to represent Poland at Junior Eurovision through the national final Szansa na Sukces. The song “I Just Need a Friend” had already been selected for Poland, and Krzyżewska won in the superfinal against Leon Olek, with her version coming out on top.

Poland’s Junior Eurovision journey

Poland was one of the countries that participated in 2003’s inaugural edition of the competition, where they were represented by Katarzyna Żurawik with the song “Coś mnie nosi” and placed 16th. Poland participated for another year before going on a 12-year break and returning in 2016. Since returning to the competition, they have participated five times, and achieved back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019.

Their recent participation in 2022 saw them represented by Laura with the song “To The Moon”. Laura placed 10th overall, receiving 96 points from the jury and online vote combined.

What do you think about “I Just Need a Friend”? Are you excited for Poland’ entry? Let us know in the comments or on social media! Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for Junior Eurovision 2023!

News Source: EBU

Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU