Kerli Kivilaan says Eesti Laul song challenges decision-makers

Kerli Kivilaan will compete in Eesti Laul as a solo artist with a song she says is a reminder to decision-makers of their responsibility. In an interview with ERR, the singer said “When the World Is Over” asks why humanity is destroying the world.

Kivilaan said the song was inspired by uncertainty and wars on several fronts. “As individuals, we cannot ensure that we will even survive on this planet,” she said. “It is a small knock on the conscience of the powerful men who make decisions for us.”

The song had been ready for several years, she said, and she had considered entering it in Eesti Laul the previous year. Kivilaan said the competition and Eurovision were a good fit for the message she wanted to convey.

This is Kivilaan’s third time in Eesti Laul. She previously entered as a solo artist in 2019 with “Cold Love” and also competed with Vanilla Ninja. She described those experiences as very different: her first was new and exciting, while representing Estonia at Eurovision with the band last year involved an extraordinary three-minute performance and extensive preparation.

Although she is competing as a solo artist this time, Kivilaan said she will probably not perform alone. She praised the team supporting her and said she was grateful to have them with her.