AleziRadio Festival of Songs
| AleziRadio Festival of Songs | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Music Competition |
| Created by | AleziRadio (Now subsidiary of Alezian Broadcasting Authority) |
| Presented by | Various presenters |
| Country of origin | North Alezia (1958-2020), Alezian Union (2021-) |
| No. of episodes | 63 contests |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | Various locations, all in Alezian Union |
| Running time | 2 hours |
| Release | |
| Original network | AleziRadio |
| Original release | 16th of May 1958 |
AleziRadio Festival of Songs, abbreviated and mostly known as ARFOS (Arabic: مهرجان الأغاني العزي راديو / Maharajan Al'aghniu 'Aliziiradiyu) (Dutch : AleziRadio Muziekfestival) (Indonesian : Festival Lagu AleziRadio) (Georgian : ალეზი რადიო სიმღერების ფესტივალი / AleziRadio simgherebis pest’ivali) (Alezian : Fe'isti'fa'ali Ka'ina Alezi'iRadi'oi) is a National Music Competition that is held every 16th of May of every year since 1958, which is also North Alezia's independence. The competition used to only feature regions of North Alezia, however, after the reunification of the Alezian Union happened, ARFOS now features all 24 regions of the Alezian Union. Each region sends in a song which then all regions would vote on as well as other songs from other regions to decide the winner of that edition's competition. The competition is broadcasted to regional stations of the Alezian Broadcasting Authority (Previously AleziRadio)
Since the start of the competition, only all North Alezian regions has participated in the competition every year. As Mosin-Nagan and Pantabang Islands only debuted in 1966, Daya Island debuted in 1967, and South Alezia debuted in 2021 as well as the dividing Mosin-Nagan and Pantabang Islands' entries to six as they are equal members of the Alezian Union as of 2021.
The competition has received positive acclaim, hitting at least three million views every year, and applauded for bringing Alezian Popular Music to a new positive level. Additionally, ARFOS is applauded for being a board for Alezians who came from regions who would usually be left out or be unknown to present themselves and their cultures and languages to the nation.
However, the competition was also criticized for uncertain quality of hosting where each region has vastly different qualities of hosting, and the fact that songs are too uncertain quality-wise. ARFOS is also criticized for being "too old" for the modern Alezian population, and the fact that ARFOS was a remnant of the Iliya Dictatorship. ARFOS stays strong due to the fact that ARFOS adapted to the modern times.
History
AleziRadio came to be after a meeting in Zafizamarrah decided that a song competition between all six regions in North Alezia was the best way to promote friendship and friendly rivalry between all regions, and to promote each others' musical capabilities. The idea for the competition itself was rumoured to be proposed by Amina Iliya, the first permier of North Alezia herself. However, it was proven to be false 60 years later (2018) where it was actually proposed by the Head Director of AleziRadio at the time, Muhammad Rizannurahmanurrahim.
Six regions participated in the first competition in 1958 held in capital Zafizamarrah. Where Aziz Goridagyev Novogrody with the song "Dasvidanya" won the first edition and became a national legend. As the competition progressed, so as technology. Where television broadcast was experimented in 1960, and finally became the norm in 1980. Sattelite broadcast started in 1990, Streaming and Widescreen Broadcast in 2003, and High Definition Broadcast in 2005.
The competition became a mainstay for North Alezians all around the country, and territories such as Mosin-Nagan, Pantabang Islands, and Daya Island joined into the competition separate from their dependant region.
Reunification of the Alezian Union resulted in North Alezia joined in by South Alezia who was interested in participating since 1966, but never realizing it until the 2021 competition.
The AleziRadio Festival of Songs has been used occasionally by Alezians to protest against the dictatorship at the time, especially by the Democratization Movement which angered the family that the threat of cancellation roams around, however, the competition continue to flourish even after the dictatorship ended.
Rules
Songs
In the AleziRadio Festival of Songs, the rules mandates each region to send in two songs. All songs must be original and not covers of any other songs, never be used for any other festival, or not released before 1st of February of the festival's year. All songs must not contain sensitive topics such as hate speech, racism, or excessive violence explicitly. All songs must include lyrics and vocals, which means instrumental-only songs are not eligible. Songs must be sung in the official major or minor language of that region, however, if won, the song must be reprised in English.
Artists
Each region must send in two artists, where each must sing only one of the two entries. There is no age limit, however each artists must either born or live in that region for at least 15 years. Borrowing artists from other regions or territories is not allowed. Backing singers, performers, and dancers are allowed, as long as the amount of people on stage not exceed six. In 2015 after the participation of Luna The Cat, the rule was added to not allow live animals on stage. Artists who participate should never have a record of entering the Alezian Charts on any circumstances.
Performance
In the AleziRadio Festival of Songs, all songs must be performed live and all must be accompanied by at least 10% of the orchestra. Backing tracks are allowed, however, backing vocals must be live.
Running Order
The running order of the competition is decided based on the ranks of the participating regions of the previous AleziRadio Festival of Songs. Any new regions' entries shall be put on the last spots on the competition. If there's more than one debuting region, then the entries are assembled alternatively to prevent the same debuting region performing consecutively.