The final of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place this Saturday, October 24. Ukraine will compete for victory with the song NOT A LULLABY, performed by 12-year-old singer Erika Kolesnichenko from Bila Tserkva. Malta is hosting this year's contest, and the broadcast will begin at 22:00 Kyiv time.
Broadcast Organization and Voting Rules
According to Suspilne, the final show will be held in Malta, where representatives from 16 countries will take the stage. Traditionally, Timur Miroshnychenko will commentate on the final, and a separate broadcast with translation into Ukrainian Sign Language has been prepared for viewers. Supporters can vote for the Ukrainian representative through free online voting on the official JESC.TV website, with rules allowing votes for one's own country.
The public voting process is divided into two stages. The first stage runs from 00:59 to 21:59 Kyiv time on the day of the final, October 24, before the live show begins. The second stage opens immediately after all contestants finish performing and lasts for approximately 15 minutes. The winner will be determined by a 50/50 combination of national jury scores and public voting.
Stage Performance and Erika Kolesnichenko's Team
On the international stage, Erika Kolesnichenko will perform at number 11 with the dynamic track NOT A LULLABY, written by Svitlana Tarabarova. The song encourages listeners not to be afraid to take action, believe in their own strengths, and pursue their dreams with confidence. The Ukrainian artist's team significantly updated the staging for Malta, placing the singer at the center of the audience's attention.
Directors Lesia Podolianko and Illia Osedliy worked on the staging, while the visual design incorporates dancers whose faces will remain hidden to emphasize the choreography. Specially for the final, stylist Oleksandr Grekov created a vibrant pink costume with voluminous sleeves and ruffles on the trousers, complementing the playful and energetic mood of the song.
Star Guests and Musical Program of the Show
The large-scale show in Malta will delight viewers not only with performances by contestants from 16 countries but also with spectacular numbers featuring past winners. The concert will open with a flag parade to the song RamDamDiriDam, performed by hosts Destiny Chukunyere, Gaia Cauchi, and Kin Cutajar. In total, organizers have planned several major musical collaborations.
Among the key numbers is Obsessed with (Junior) Eurovision, featuring former Maltese representatives and past winners, highlighting the country's history of triumphs at the contest. Additionally, Lou Deleuze, winner of Junior Eurovision 2025, and DARA, winner of the adult Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, will take the stage. The concert will conclude with a joint performance of Join the Festa by all contestants, written by AIDAN, Malta's representative at adult Eurovision 2026.
Significance of the Contest and Prospects for the Ukrainian Delegation
Ukraine's participation in Junior Eurovision 2026 holds significant cultural importance for promoting young talents on the international stage. The contest traditionally attracts millions of viewers across Europe and allows young artists to showcase themselves to a massive audience. Erika Kolesnichenko approaches the final with a solid background of vocal experience and professional backing from a strong staging team.
Experts and music reviewers note the high level of competition at this year's show, which brings together top performers from 16 countries. The combined jury and public voting results will demonstrate how deeply the Eurovision community values the synergy of powerful vocals, striking choreography, and the life-affirming message of the Ukrainian entry.
