Hera Björk, the Icelandic Eurovision Song Contest representative in Oslo in 2010, won the first place and the prestigious Gaviota de Plata (the Silver Seagull) on this year’s Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile with her up tempo entry Because you can.
Six countries qualified to the final phase of the competition: Chile, Iceland, Italy, Panama, United States and Venezuela. All of them had to perform in two semifinals in front of the Monster, as the audience in Viña is called, and the international jury before the three finalists were announced.
Hera qualified to the final with the highest score of the competition, 6.6, and delivered a strong performance during the final which earned her the first Icelandic victory on the 53 years history of the contest.
Because you can was released in iTunes, both in English and Spanish, as single from her latest album. The song is composed by Camilla Gottschalck, Christina Schilling, Jonas Gladnikoff and Örlygur Smári, all of them with Eurovision experience.
Beside the International Competition, there’s a Folk Competition which was won by Chile and the performance of several well-known musical guests. This year Sir Elton John, the Jonas Brothers and the Spanish superstar Miguel Bosé were amongst them.
Previously, several former Eurovision contestants had won the prestigious Festival. Gilsela (Andorra 2008) won for Spain the Silver Seagull in 2003 with Este amore es tuyo; Paolo Meneguzzi did the same in 1996 for Italy with Aria ario.
Hera Björk represented Iceland in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo finishing 19th in the final.
Because you can (Viña del Mar 1st semi-final)
Because you can – Spanish version
