With 16 competing entries, Junior Eurovision 2014 in Malta was the biggest edition of Junior Eurovision since 2007. It featured three debuts (Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia), four returning countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Serbia), and one very sunny island. We packed our sun tan lotion and enjoyed jam after jam.
We hoped that this year’s contest, held in Sofia, Bulgaria, would be even bigger. So far, not so good. Today it emerged that Iceland has turned down the chance to debut at the contest, and Lithuania has said it has no plans to return. We can picture the behind-the-scenes negotiations.
“Iceland, would you like to participate in Junior Eurovision 2015?”
“Lithuania?”
And what if Michele Perniola asked really nicely?
Right. Lithuania joins fellow Baltic country Latvia in abstaining from a return, having last participated in 2011. They once placed third, in 2008, but haven’t done all that well in the contest otherwise.
Iceland was heavily rumored to debut in last year’s contest. They stayed away and, despite seeing the success of the show in Malta, still aren’t convinced by JESC.
Andorra, Austria, and the Czech Republic have also ruled out a debut this year, and the United Kingdom has ruled out a return. However, Ireland confirmed its debut earlier this year, and several countries, such as Germany and Hungary, are still looking to potentially participate.
What countries are you excited to see in this year’s Junior Eurovision?
@danielvarga really? Thanks 🙂 I haven’t been following the Junior Eurovision season that much :c
@Marina: Slovenia, Georgia and Sweden have already confirmed participation. 🙂
since we are all talking about countries here: Cyprus: I think they will participate, but with a simple act, kind of like Sophia last year. Her entry was simple and not very expensive, which is exactly what the Cypriot broadcaster wants, seeing as they don’t have a lot of money to spend. San Marino: Even though they haven’t gotten good results over these past 2 years, they’ll stay (just like Eurovision). If they don’t find a new child artist in San Marino, they’ll always use an old one or find one in Italy (like Michele & 4/5 of the Peppermints)… Read more »
I think Croatia and Ukraine will withdraw, Azerbaijan, FYR Macedonia and Moldova will return, maybe Romania or Greece too and Germany and Hungary will debut together with Ireland.
So there could be maximum 23 countries in Bulgaria.
I hope for Hungary,Uk,Norway,Belgium,…..
I think that JESC particpating countries could be added to 20 countries, or if can add up to 26 countries! Additional of participating countries would help JESC to be better. Then more countries means more diverse acts. In the future, JESC would have at least 15 countries to present diverse children songs from Europe.
I think Hungary will debut but Germany won’t because ARD/NDR won’t debut and ZDF don’t even know what JESC is! (I write them a E-Mail) But I think Croatia will withdraw because they finished last last year! Also the Ukraine will withdraw because the war is still not over in the Ukraine! Montenegro could withdraw if they won’t find sponsors! Italy could also withdraw because of financial problems! The other countries which participate in the past won’t come back I think! Armenia, Serbia and Russia will definitely participate! I don’t know if Cyprus and San Marino will participate! So I… Read more »
I hope the JESC isn’t postponed or cancelled due to lack of participants, like the Dance Contest, before Ireland has a chance to debut. I’ve been wanting an Irish participation in the Junior edition for years. So far, I think it is the only Eurovision that we have a chance of winning.
Plus, as Deven said, if the selection process was done right by TG4, the it would definitely show RTE how ridiculous and amateur the national broadcaster really is. I would also love to see the reaction that our national language, As Gaelige, receives on the international stage.
I hope TG4 take JESC seriously because that might motivate RTE to lift the finger. I mean, if TG4 have the budget for a 5 week national final, hopefully this will prompt RTE to drastically overhaul the national final. Give it the changes it needs.
The United Kingdom has still 2 broadcasters to turn JESC down. Channel 4 & BBC.
I hope Armenia doesn’t pull out – hasn’t been a confirmation yet. Betty was amazing last year <3
With the failure of Iceland to qualify in Vienna, and Lithuania’s low placing (18th), it seems they’ve decided to put all their energy into improving their standings at the senior level. Austria (0 pts.), U.K. (5 pts.), Czech Republic (NQ), I’m not surprised they’re not participating in the JESC.
Who cares about the JESC, anyway…
I would like to see Azerbaijan, Macedonia and Moldova come back. They were absent last year for no reason.