Introduction

• Participant(s): Jurij Veklenko
• Song: "Run With The Lions"
  
• Writer(s): Eric Lumiere, Ash Hicklin, Pele Loriano
• Composer(s): Eric Lumiere, Ash Hicklin, Pele Loriano
• Broadcaster: LRT
  
• Social media:      
  
• Team review: 

This year Lithuania is celebrating the 20th ESC entry! Congratulations! Who have thought in 1994 that Lithuania is going to be a consistent ESC participant? Unfortunately, Lithuania has never won the contest, but this is just a matter of time. One day it will be the big day for the Lithuanians.

Lithuania is the country with the most extensive pre-decision procedure of all the European participants. This show is called “Eurovizija” and there were seven (!) live shows. This time the Lithuanians have decided for the pop singer Jurijus Veklenko. He has been participating as a background singer in 2013 and 2015 in the special same-sex kissing moment of “This Time”. He also performed the main vocal for lip-sync drag-act Lolita Zero with "Get Frighten" , which did not in win in 2017.

Jurijus was born in Klaipeda at the Baltic Sea in 1990. He has his bachelor in recreation and tourism, works as an IT specialist but made his hobby music to his profession. Jurijus appeared in several show formats such as Lithuania’s Got Talent and The Voice of Lithuania.

The Lithuanian entry “Run With The Lions” is a modern pop song which is about love, that cannot be hidden, it needs to be free.

“We got a love that can't be caged
Come on come on, get your freedom now
Run with the lions”

The chorus has an anthem style. Accompanied by a good background choir and a good stage show this song can do very well.

History

• Debut: 1994
• Participations: 19
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 13 (9 since 2004)
• Top 10: 2
• Chances for Top 10: 10%
• Chances for Final: 60%

For Lithuania it’s the 20th time in the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv this year. The debut entry from 1994 “Lopsine Mylimai” by Ovidijus Vysniauskas came last with zero points – not a good start, unfortunately. While the Baltic neighbour countries Estonia and Latvia had a better hand in choosing successful Eurovision entries including two victories, Lithuania never shaped up that well. Beside of two exceptions: “We are the winners” by LT United in 2006, this entry ended up 6th in Athens and Donny Montell’s “I’ve Been Waiting For Tonight” with a 9th place in Stockholm. At least Lithuania has qualified nine times for the Grand Final out of 19 participations including last year. The chance for Lithuania reaching the Top10 is relatively low at 10%. Last year’s entry “When We We’Re Old” by Ieva Zasimauskaitė made a great 12th place in the Grand Final. The Lithuanians songs were mostly sung in English, beside of first two years due to the language rule, so it was probably obvious for the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT to see that the songs will be sung in English to be understood for 100% to shape up in a better way.

Biggest successes

1x 6th place

• LT United - "We Are The Winners" (2006)

1x 9th place

• Donny Montell - "I’ve been waiting for tonight" (2016)

Video Nostalgia

• “What's Happened To Your Love” | Linas & Simone , Rank 16 (Semi Final), 2004, Istanbul
  
• “Love” | Sasha Son , Rank 23, 2009, Mosow
  
• “This Time” | Monika & Vaidas , Rank 18, 2015, Vienna