Thor Salden
Encyclopedia
Thor Salden from Schoten
was the winning contestant in the Belgian pre-selections of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006
and he represented Belgium
in the international final on 2 December 2006 in Bucharest
, Romania
where he reached seventh place in a field of fifteen. At the time of the preselections he was the youngest contestant at eight years old. He won both the first semi-final on 17 September 2006 and the final on 1 October 2006. In the opening show he performed together with Attic and Clouseau.
His winning song "Een Tocht Door Het Donker" ("A Journey Through The Dark"), produced by Peter Gillis about a walk in the woods with his grandfather, was released as a single on 13 October 2006 and entered several national music charts. Initially the song reached #1 in the Ultratop 50
, #2 in Belgium's national download music chart and #8 in the Radio 2 Top 30. After 16 weeks in the Ultratop 50, Thor received a golden record on 30 January 2007 as a result of over 15,000 single sales and legal downloads of the song, making him the youngest Belgian artist to receive this award.
One of Thor's dreams is to sing a duet with X!NK
who won the Belgian preselections in 2003.
On 2 December 2006 the announced plans were put into action. For the occasion, residents of his home town could watch the international final of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on big video screens in the market square and in the 'Forum' hall thanks to support from the VRT
. Local inns worked together to provide things like soup, lemonade and glühwein
for the occasion while the city council provided fire baskets and oversight. Children could make a "journey through the dark" from Thor's school to the market square.
charity Music for life.
Schoten
Schoten is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality only comprises the town of Schoten proper. On January 1, 2006 Schoten had a total population of 33,160. The total area is which gives a population density of 1,122 inhabitants per km². Schoten abuts the...
was the winning contestant in the Belgian pre-selections of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the fourth edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for young singers aged 8 to 15. On 2 December 2006, the contest was broadcast live from Bucharest, Romania making it the second time the contest had been held in a capital city...
and he represented Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
in the international final on 2 December 2006 in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
where he reached seventh place in a field of fifteen. At the time of the preselections he was the youngest contestant at eight years old. He won both the first semi-final on 17 September 2006 and the final on 1 October 2006. In the opening show he performed together with Attic and Clouseau.
His winning song "Een Tocht Door Het Donker" ("A Journey Through The Dark"), produced by Peter Gillis about a walk in the woods with his grandfather, was released as a single on 13 October 2006 and entered several national music charts. Initially the song reached #1 in the Ultratop 50
Ultratop 50
Ultratop 50 singles, often just Ultratop 50, is the weekly chart of fifty best-selling singles in Flanders, Belgium, and is produced and published by the Ultratop organization. The chart has existed since March 31, 1995...
, #2 in Belgium's national download music chart and #8 in the Radio 2 Top 30. After 16 weeks in the Ultratop 50, Thor received a golden record on 30 January 2007 as a result of over 15,000 single sales and legal downloads of the song, making him the youngest Belgian artist to receive this award.
One of Thor's dreams is to sing a duet with X!NK
X!NK
X!NK are a pop punk group from Belgium. The band consists of two pairs of brothers: Jonas and Niels Meukens, and Thomas and Philip Valkiers. Jonas is the lead singer and occasionally the second guitarist, his brother Ni|els is the drummer. Philip plays the bass guitar and Thomas plays the guitar...
who won the Belgian preselections in 2003.
Events in Schoten
On 25 October 2006 Thor and three other young people were invited to Schoten city hall where they signed "the golden book" and received an official deed for their accomplishments. The occasion was celebrated with a song to the tune of Thor's winning Junior Eurovision entry. Schoten city council also announced their plans surrounding the international Junior Eurovision final.On 2 December 2006 the announced plans were put into action. For the occasion, residents of his home town could watch the international final of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on big video screens in the market square and in the 'Forum' hall thanks to support from the VRT
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep
The Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie , or VRT, is a publicly-funded broadcaster of radio and television in Flanders ....
. Local inns worked together to provide things like soup, lemonade and glühwein
Mulled wine
Mulled wine, variations of which are popular in Europe, is wine, usually red, combined with spices and typically served warm. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas and Halloween.-Glühwein:...
for the occasion while the city council provided fire baskets and oversight. Children could make a "journey through the dark" from Thor's school to the market square.
After the contest
On 22 December 2006 Thor auctioned off the T-shirt with the Superman logo he wore during the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the Studio BrusselStudio Brussel
Studio Brussel is a radio station in Belgium, owned by the VRT. The music played is considered more alternative than the other big radio stations, and is aimed mainly at a youth audience....
charity Music for life.