Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Eirodziesma 2012 was the thirteenth edition of Eirodziesma, the music competition that selects Latvia's entries for the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition commenced on 7 January 2012 and concluded with a final on 18 February 2012. All shows in the competition were broadcast on LTV1 as well as online via the broadcaster's official website ltv.lv, while the final was also streamed online at the official Eurovision Song Contest website euroision.tv.[3]

The format of the competition consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. The semi-finals took place at NA Studio in Marupe and the final took place at the Jūras vārti Theatre in Ventspils.[4] The three shows were hosted by Kristine Virsnite, Jolanta Strikaite and 2005 Latvian Eurovision entrant as part of Valters & Kaža Valters Frīdenbergs. The two semi-finals, held on 7 and 14 January 2012, each featured ten competing entries from which five advanced to the final from each show. The final, held on 18 February 2012, selected the Latvian entry for Baku from the remaining twelve entries over two rounds of voting: the first round selected the top three entries and the second round selected the winner. Results during the semi-final and final shows were determined by the 50/50 combination of votes from a jury panel and a public vote. Viewers were able to vote via telephone or via SMS up to five times.

Artists and songwriters were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster between 1 September 2011 and 14 October 2011. Artists and songwriters were required to have Latvian citizenship or residency and were able to submit up to two entries each. 71 entries were submitted for the competition at the conclusion of the submission period.[5] A jury panel appointed by LTV evaluated the submitted songs and selected twenty entries. The jury panel consisted of Aivars Hermanis (composer, arranger and producer), Jolanta Gulbe (singer and vocal coach), Zigfrīds Muktupāvels (singer and musician), Dace Pūce (director and producer), Olga Žitluhina (choreographer), Natalija Jansone (fashion designer) and members of the LTV Eurovision team.[6] An online vote also ran between 20 October 2011 and 1 November 2011, enabling users to listen to the 71 entries while the performers remained anonymous and vote for their favourites. However, the voting only provided consultation on which entries should be selected; the jury made the ultimate decisions. The twenty selected songs were announced on 8 November 2011. The performer auditions took place on 10 November 2011 and featured the performers of the selected songs. The jury panel evaluated the performances and either approved or rejected the performers. The twenty competing artists were announced on 1 December 2011.[7]

The first semi-final took place on 7 January 2012. Ten entries competed and the top five songs qualified to the final via a 50/50 combination of votes from a jury panel and the Latvian public. The jury panel that voted in the first semi-final consisted of Marts Kristiāns Kalniņš (musician), Ieva Kerēvica (singer and vocal coach), Daira Āboltiņa (film critic), Sandris Vanzovičs (journalist), Jānis Vinters (motorcyclist and farmer), Binnija Ārberga (beauty salon owner), Yana Kay (2003 Latvian Eurovision entrant as part of F.L.Y.), Emīls Balceris (2011 Latvian Eurovision entrant as part of Musiqq), Jānis Žaržeckis (plastic surgeon) and Elīna Breice (choreographer).

The second semi-final took place on 14 January 2012. Ten of the competing entries performed, and five qualified to the final via a combination of votes from a jury panel and the Latvian public. The jury panel that voted in the second semi-final consisted of Uldis Marhilēvičs (composer), Māra Upmane-Holšteina (singer), Alberts Kivlenieks (choreographer), Šeila (fashion artist), Jānis Deinats (photographer), Laima Liberte (Draugiem.lv project manager), Ilona Brūvere (director), Akvelīna Līvmane (actress), Kārlis Auzāns (producer and composer) and Jānis Stībelis (musician).

The final took place on 18 February 2012. The ten entries that qualified from the preceding two semi-finals competed and the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top three songs advanced to the second round, the superfinal: "I Want You Back" performed by Samanta Tīna & Dāvids Kalandija, "Beautiful Song" performed by Anmary and "Music Thief" performed by Mad Show Boys. In the superfinal, the song with the highest number of votes from the jury and the public, "Beautiful Song" performed by Anmary, was declared the winner.[8] The jury panel that voted in the final consisted of Marija Naumova (singer and Eurovision Song Contest 2002 winner), Olga Rajecka (singer), Andris Ērglis (singer), Raimonds Tiguls (composer), Daiga Mazvērsīte (musicologist and program manager of Latvijas Radio 2), Sigita Jevgļevska (actress), Jānis Šipkēvics (Chairman of the Board of Radio SWH), Raimonds Bergmanis (strongman), Biruta Ozoliņa (singer and musician) and Elmans Zeinalovs (Ambassador of the Azerbaijan Republic to Latvia).[9]

• In the Semi-final Latvia came 16th with 17 points: the public awarded Latvia 15th place with 18 points and the jury awarded 18th place with 17 points.[10]