It caused Eurovision 2020 to be cancelled. And now the impact of Covid-19 pandemic is starting to be felt by Junior Eurovision too with Wales confirming its withdrawal.
Wales withdraws from Junior Eurovision 2020
Welsh-language broadcaster S4C quietly broke the news in a series of tweets on Tuesday 14 July. Responding to a query about its 2020 participation from a curious JESC fan (@eurofansesp), the network tweeted: “Due to the present circumstances, unfortunately we will not be taking part in this years contest”.
Hi there, due to the present circumstances, unfortunately we will not be taking part in this years contest ?
— S4C ??????? (@S4C) July 14, 2020
In a second tweet, the station added that “no decision has been taken about our participation next year at present”.
We'll miss everyone too! We won't be broadcasting it this year and no decision has been taken about our participation next year at present.
— S4C ??????? (@S4C) July 14, 2020
While many 2019 participants have yet to confirm their 2020 participation, Wales is the first would-be returnee to rule itself out.
Wales made its debut in 2018 and returned in 2019. The country had previously entered as part of the United Kingdom between 2003 and 2005.
This news comes just one week after Germany announced that it will be debuting in November’s competition.
Junior Eurovision and the Covid-19 pandemic
While Eurovision 2020 may have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all stakeholders are committed to making Junior Eurovision happen.
It remains to be seen what implications coronavirus will have on the contest.
Organisers may follow the lead of the Dutch national selection. Junior Songfestival 2020 will be held in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena with an audience limited to only family members of the competing acts.
Broadcaster AVROTROS says it would be “irresponsible to have so many children from all over the Netherlands come together singing, dancing and screaming”.
The pandemic may also have an impact on the number of participating countries. For instance, Australia has yet to RSVP. As of July, the country has very strict quarantine rules regarding international travel. These may prove too burdensome for a young act and delegation should they still be in place later in the year.
The list of confirmed countries currently features 13 nations — Belarus, France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Spain and Ukraine.
Looking towards Eurovision 2021
While Junior Eurovision is a much smaller event than Eurovision itself, it could provide some indication as to how the coronavirus pandemic might affect the main contest.
S4C will not be the only broadcaster to be impacted negatively by the current crisis. Networks all over Europe and beyond have seen their advertising revenues crash while more pressure is placed on existing resources.
Logistically, quarantine and social distancing measures could also make Eurovision preparations more difficult.
Unfortunately, Wales may just be the first of many to withdraw from a Eurovision event due to corona.
Are you disappointed to see Wales bow out? Do you think there’s a risk that more countries might follow? Let us know in the comments below.
I would rather have the U.K. take part tbh .. Wales is not a sovereign country .. it’s part of a country ..
It’s a country of countries. In fact, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland are even allowed to compete separately in major international competitive events, ranging from pageants to sports, among others.
That is nice .. So is Gibraltar and the farce islands, neither are countries ..
Overseas territories and self-governing autonomies have also competed as their own countries in international competitions. Why they are allowed to take part as they are is because of those comps’ criteria, likewise with Eurovision. And yes, Scotland, Wales, England, and Northern Ireland are considered as countries within the UK. And because Eurovision is a competition taken part by national broadcasters, if ever the BBC opts to not take part in a Eurovision-branded competition like the case of JESC, a regional UK broadcaster or two will happily take their place, as is the case of Wales’ S4C, and BBC Scotland for… Read more »
I’m Welsh and I’m not interested in the Junior competition. I was intrigued to hear that they were going to start entering the contest and thought we ad a lovely entry for 2018. So I was very disappointed that it got ignored completely. Hopefully things will improve.
And we always have a strong reputation at the Choir contest we can look back on!
Is it possible for the rest of the UK to enter JESC?
Well, atleast Wales aren’t withdrawing completely. They deserve a better result!
They shouldn’t even have this contest this year. Do should do just like Eurovision did. Have the contest next year. Safe & sound.
And it really hurts that the contest will be held in Poland. Their situation of LGBT+ people is the worst in Europe. Is that good example for children to be themselves? No.
That’s mean. 🙁
What the Polish Government and president are doing to LGBT+ people isn’t mean?
Aww that’s sad… but at least it’s “just” Wales and not a stronger and more regular competitor…
What an awful thing to say
It’s a shame. Hope to see them again soon. I feel like it won’t be a small year, though. Having a debutant is already more than I expected.
No, not Wales! I hope Armenia won’t withdraw also because Armenia is really successful at JESC. I would be surprise if Armenia will follow Wales’s footsteps. Same thing with North Macedonia and Albania too, I hope they won’t withdraw.
I doubt it. 🙂
More importantly, this means that the show will probably not be broadcast on the BBC Iplayer either. Goodbye beautiful 50 fps JESC. T__T
Wales gonna win in 14 years mark my words.
So nothing to do with the 2x last placings then
“We won’t be broadcasting it this year either” suggests otherwise.
They can’t broadcast the show if they can’t showcase the Welsh language to their viewers. After all, the mandate of S4C is to promote Welsh culture in Wales through broadcasting.
And Malta actually placed last in 2019.
It’s disappointing to see any country withdraw. I do fear that Wales won’t be the last to withdraw this year, though. I do not know how many countries will compete in JESC this year, but at the moment I’m predicting 15 or 16 countries at this moment.
Well I don’t thunk it’ll be that low since we already have 13 confirmed countries (already more than 2012 and 2013 lmao) I predict 17 or 18 max. Without corona this year would’ve seen the highest amount of participating countries. Ugh
If by some miracle we get every 2019 competitor besides Australia and Wales, plus our debutant Germany, that’ll still be 18 countries.
If we get only 15 countries imma be absolutely gutted