It’s always a tough ask, when you take part in the contest the year after your country does well. This might be because your country won, or could just be because your country had a really good result the previous year.
Our friends in Latvia tend to have an inconsistent approach to the contest. Since the semi-finals, they’ve only made the Grand Final six times in 16 goes. Today’s birthday boy Justs Sirmais got to the big time in 2016, the year after a countrywoman came sixth. Not their best result, but broke a run of six non-qualifications. So getting to the final was a big deal. Justs even had a song written by his aforementioned countrywoman. So what could possibly go wrong? Well, following in Aminata’s footsteps was always going to be tough, and he didn’t quite make it to the left-hand side of the scoreboard. Nevertheless, Justs is currently the last Latvian in the Grand Final.
Justs is 26 today.
Daudz laimes dzimšanas dienā, Justs!