There is some big news coming out of the Junior Eurovision HQ: It has been officially confirmed that Italy will NOT host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. This comes after weeks of speculation — ever since Italy won the 2014 contest — that they would.

In the statement issued on the Junior Eurovision website, the JESC Executive Supervisor, Vladislav Yakovlev, said that the EBU had been in conversation with RAI over the last two months, but “unfortunately they are not in a position to hold the competition in Italy”. No further reasoning has been given beyond that.

This confirms the news that had originally been broken by Bulgaria’s Telegraph newspaper, which reported that the EBU had been told by RAI that they could not decide where to host the contest and that the broadcaster had financial worries too.

What is different to the Bulgarian report is the fact that the EBU have said they are speaking to two countries about hosting the contest. Whilst Bulgaria is more than likely one of them, it’s not yet clear what the other country is. Could a return to Malta be on the cards after the overwhelming success of the 2014 contest? Or could the contest go to Armenia who have also proven they can host and who finished third this year?

Either way, it’s a shame that we won’t be jetting off to Rome, Milan or anywhere else in Italy come November/December. Though admittedly we’re still not sure if we’ve ever really recovered from the last time the Italians hosted a Eurovision contest…oh, Tuto

Update at 18:40 GMT: Bulgaria has received an official invitation from the EBU, according to the BNT Eurovision web site. The site quotes the new Director General of BNT Vyara Ankova, who seems very enthusiastic: “This is a unique chance for BNT and Bulgaria to host one of the most prestigious music competitions in Europe. Krisia, Hassan and Ibrahim proved that when we are united, success is possible.”

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Auggie
Auggie
9 years ago

I hope that Bulgaria steps up to host the JESC 2015 show!!! Also, if they’re hosts, Macedonia can easily come back (those are neighboring countries). Now, if they can’t do it, they should give Georgia, Sweden, Serbia or Croatia the right to host it.

LeBron
LeBron
9 years ago

Can confirm officially that BNT have received an invitation to organise the contest and at least on paper, the TV leadership are delighted and intend to accept that responsibility. Arena Armeets officials also confirmed in a private conversation that there has been inquiry in the availability of the arena for November and December.

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

So EBU is still traumatized by their Rome 1991 experience and the Toto Cotugno-lack-of-english ghost still whispering in their brains. LOL
Still I find it humiliating … not every singles Italian is unable to speak proper English so I do find some prejudice in this decision. Is EBU also denying Italy the chance to host the ESC show if they ever get to win?

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

why did Italy take part in the first place? and why did the EBU juries gave them the victory?? Because the public voted for Bulgaria the most and the stupid “winners” juries gave 12p to Italy and only 4 pts to Bulgaria + San Marino ignored Bulgaria and gave 12p to italy (they used a jury as well).

EBU has screwed junior eurovision mainly because no one cares… Bulgaria should have won and hosted the show from the beginning. anyway,

Bledar Leka
Bledar Leka
9 years ago

I think Bulgaria knew from right after jesc

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
9 years ago

Thank you Sabrina ; )

sabrinafromGeorgia
sabrinafromGeorgia
9 years ago

The Netherlands gave us the best 2 JESC shows ever! So for me its easy to give this years contest again to the netherlands

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

I have an idea for if Bulgaria hosts the contest:

HOST CITY: Sofia

VENUE: Festivalna (has a capacity of 9,000 for concerts)

DATE: December 5, 2015

HOSTS: Poli Genova, Sofi Marinova, & Stoyan Yankoulov

Nebi
Nebi
9 years ago

What does this mean if Italy were to win ESC? Would they be able/willing to host?

Hollandique
9 years ago

Bulgaria would be good. Or maybe Georgia, or Azerbaijan or Israel if they return!

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

I’ll look up some good venues in Bulgaria to host JESC 2015.

(5 MINUTE BREAK. NO, SERIOUSLY.)

Ok. I’m back. I found some good venues in Bulgaria to host Junior Eurovision 2015.

1. Winter Palace of Sports, Sofia (6,000 people for concerts.)
2. Festivalna, Sofia (9,000 people for concerts.)
3. Armeets Arena (19,000 for concerts. But no doubt that it will be cut down to about 9,500-12,000 for Junior Eurovision 2015.)

There’s another venue in Varna that can hold 5,000 people for concerts.

What do you guys think?

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

I´d rather see Bulgaria returning in ESC than hosting JESC. But that´s up to the sponsors of course. 😛

Dhani
9 years ago

BULGARIA they deserve to host the contest they have never hosted a eurovision before give it to bulgaria

plus if bulgaria will host maybe their interest in adult Eurovision will maybe be bigger

JESCGermany15
JESCGermany15
9 years ago

I think the EBU give the host to Bulgaria now! They should show us, that they can organize an show like JESC! Second time in Malta will be boring! But I hope Italy take part in JESC 2015! Hope more western countries will join JESC like Germany (Really hope ZDF debut), Iceland and Irland! Also hope that Czech Republic and Hungary debut! And Danmark, Norway and Spain should return to JESC 2015! I hope that JESC 2015 will be bigger as JESC 2014 was!

Nikos
Nikos
9 years ago

Sofia 2015!

Mavision
Mavision
9 years ago

What about Armenia? They already showed that they can host JESC plus they got a good result.

Jak
Jak
9 years ago

I hate Italy.

Britz26
9 years ago

Yay! 😀 BULGARIA!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 Not Malta again, that would be boring!

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

Chaos! 🙁

Dar
Dar
9 years ago

its not worth it .. average show .. i cant even think of a winner from it i ever liked other than ukraine 2012..
just cancel the show.. waste of time

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

Way to ruin some hopes Italy! And for that reason, screw it, GO BULGARIA! They should have won the contest anyway…

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

I’d be very happy if the Junior Eurovision Song Contest went back to Malta. As they staged a fantastic show in November.

Could Ireland host it in their debuting year?

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
9 years ago

That’s a shame, really. Sorta makes you wonder if they would even want to host the main ESC if they win, I’m sure JESC is much less expensive to operate, but w/e. Give it to Bulgaria, good opportunity to showcase a country that’s never really been showcased before.

Ricardo
Ricardo
9 years ago

BULGARIA! YEP! 🙂