Griffiniskaja Laul 3

Griffiniskaja Laul 03 was the third edition of the Griffiniskaja Laul musical event and Waiting List Song Contest national final, both in 2020 and overall. The contest was held on the 2 September 2020 at the Arkea-arrenaa in Pyetsit, the capital of Eestimadnait (today Westersund) following their victory at the previous edition. The presenters of the show were 2 Griffin singers - Benjamin Ingrosso and Alfie Templeman.

The winner of the third Griffiniskaja Laul was the principality of Eestimadnait (today Westersund) represented by IIRIS with the song "Stranger". This was Eestimadnaitish second victory as well as second victory in a row. Время и Стекло representing principality of Sletterima came second, and Foreõsvdetrre represented by LAUV came third once again. IIRIS, the winner of the contest represented Griffin Empire in the Waiting List Song Contest 204 in Gatineau, Tybalteva, where she finished 8th with 57 points.

Location
Arkea-arrenaa (previously known as the Arrenaa ot metropolisesotr Pyetsitiskaja) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Cfhödileht District of the Pyetsit city, the capital of Eestimadnait (today Westersund). Opened in January 2018, it offers a capacity for all types of shows and events from 2,500 to 11,300. The arena is mainly used for concerts and sporting events.

Pyetsit is a port city on the Vereberjsej in the Eestimadnait (Westersund) Principality. The City Centre District of Pyetsit has a population of 257,804 (2019) and the whole city has a population of 1.140.668 (2019), the 6th largest in Griffin Empire. It is the capital of the Eestimadnait Principality (today known as Westersund).

Being Griffin most prominent wine region, with a €3.37 billion turnover in 2009, it is both the center of a major wine-growing and wine-producing region hosting the world's most renowned estates, and a prominent powerhouse exercising significant influence on the world's wine and spirits industry, although no wine production is conducted within the city limits. It is home to the world's main wine fair, Vinexpo, and the wine economy in the metro area takes in 14.5 billion euros each year. Pyetsit wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century. After Kralingslæting, Pyetsit has the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in Griffin Empire.

Format
Seven principalities of Griffin Empire submited their entry of choice to compete in a one night final named after the Griffin National Ferstival Laul. Each principality gave 1,5,8 10 and 12 points to their favourite songs via televoting. It was forbidden to vote for ones own principality. Nine Natian countries were internally invited to join the show as international juries. These nations gave points in the same way as Griffin televoting.

International juries' votes determined Griffin representative at the Waiting List Song Contest. Both juries and televoting combined determined the overall winner of the festival.

The theme of the contest was summer and included many summer references. Postcards showed typical Griffin summer activities and the whole show used bright bold colours and summer inspired graphics. Hosts were Alfie Templeman and Benjamin Ingrosso. The stage was reused for the third time in a row.

Results
Once again, the winner of both international jury and Griffin vote was the same principality meaning that their representative, IIRIS was both the overall winner of the festival and Griffin representative at the Waiting List Song Contest. This was second win in a row for Eestimadnait (Westersund). IIRIS had already competed with this exact song at the 62nd Laul in 2017.

Reception and result at the Waiting List Song Contest
The third edition of Griffiniskaja Laul was once again a success. It received positive reviews from music critics, all audiences and scholars. It was stated that the quality of the show stayed the same if not upgraded. Line-up was well received as well, with Bigician commentator calling it "the hottest NF in town". Mixed review came from Utopolis whose critics praised only songs from Sletterimaa and Eestimadnait (Westersund). All songs charted in Griffin Empire before Griffiniskaja Laul and Waiting List Song Contest started. Winning entry charted in Tanoiro at number one after the show, becoming the best performing Griffin song in that country. This was first time Emsfrynt and Effiland watched the show where it received positive feedback with Effinsk newspaper calling it "a very strong NF", and "hoping (that) GL will be back again".

IIRIS received positive reviews from both Griffin press as well as foreign. Ana Raquel from Tanoiro Times praised the song finishing the article with "CAN I JUST GIVE ALL MY POINTS TO IIRIS PLEASE" and Effinsk critics concluded that "Girffinskaja music scene is definitely capable of producing absolute BOPS". In Utopolis Today, a critic said that "(Stranger) is a boring song, but the production is absolutely fantastic, really just top notch. It sounds really really good."

At the show in Gatineau, Iiris did well, finishing 8th overall with 57 points and collecting two sets of 12 points from Tanoiro and Utopolis. This was the third time in a row that Griffiniskaja Laul winner finished in the top 10 at the Waiting List Song Contest.