After months of anger, sadness, speculation, crowdfunding campaigns and petitions — Portuguese Eurofans can now lower their weapons and release the fireworks. Portugal is confirmed for Eurovision 2017!

In a statement released to Festivais da Canção, Portugal’s national broadcaster RTP confirmed not only the Iberian nation’s participation in next year’s event but also that they’ll screen this year’s Eurovision — both of the semi-finals and the grand final. The Eurovision spirit is still alive for the administration and content direction board of RTP, you guys, and we are just loving it! *cries in Portuguese*

Next year, RTP is going to have its 60th birthday and it’s expected that Festival da Canção — being the most iconic program of the state broadcaster — will be back as Portugal’s national selection. Yet no decision has been made in how Portugal will choose their comeback act for Eurovision, despite RTP promising some exciting changes in the selection method.

Meanwhile, Portugal will still be represented in Stockholm. Suzy, who was a fan favourite with her entry  “Quero ser tua” in 2014, will perform at a number of OGAE fan events during Eurovision week.

Are you excited with Portugal’s return to the competition? Will the promised improvements make Portugal a strong contender in next year’s edition of Eurovision?

FOLLOW ALL OUR PORTUGAL EUROVISION NEWS HERE

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Dino
Dino
8 years ago

Apparently, there has been a meeting, not very secretive i guess, between the HoD, RTP executives and programmers, OGAE Portugal and representatives from Portuguese recording companies. I just hope this is finally the time RTP decides to invest in Eurovision and its worth!

Miss X
Miss X
8 years ago

that xenophobe Charles is saying “enough with that pimba”, you dimwit, how many times has Portugal sent a song in this genre????

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
8 years ago

Welcome lovely Portugal, please keep on entering your own style and language! 😛 All the best in 2017 and on!

Charles
Charles
8 years ago

Back at Eurovision… What for really? For the spoil brat joy of fans? Or to showcase music that is worth listening to but that totally does not relate to the spirit of current Eurovision? I’m baffled and confused by this … And please enough with the “Pimba” crap … it’s like Swedish schlager but even worse and more embarrassing … I don’t want to vomit to bad made music with no meaning.

Marcus (day one)
Marcus (day one)
8 years ago

So Portugal left the contest for no real reason and is most likely going to change nothing about their selection whatever.

I remember RTP promising changes for 2014 and we got Suzy who lets all face it (no matter how much wiwibloggs fan over her) didn’t have a good song even tough the song that came 2nd was way better.

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

Wonderful news, I wish them all the best for next year.

HappyPortuguese
HappyPortuguese
8 years ago

Please, please, take Kika next year! I’m sure you’ll qualify for the final and most likely be in the top. Just listen to her song “Russo”

João Teles
João Teles
8 years ago

as a portuguese i am very sceptical about our return next year, i’ll only believe Portugal will send a great song to ESC when i see it.

georgekirkas
georgekirkas
8 years ago

Well, I have to say that I’m really happy! However, we should wait and see because it’s too early right now. If they want to qualify, then they should try something better and more modern than last year.

Herr Freitag
Herr Freitag
8 years ago

I’m happy they’re back but I hope they will just change everything – I think they should cancel the festival and do in Internal Selection 😀 Selecting a good singer and then take composers from other countries with Portuguese ones and then in English – or do Italy and being modern in your own language but I think there will be no changes so another ”No” for the Final and this will go as long as Sweden win again, then they withdraw, come back the year after, said all will be change and in the end there will be no… Read more »

Aaron GR
Aaron GR
8 years ago

I always have a soft spot for Portugal, the perpetual underdog. And I like that they approach it the way they want to approach it. To me that’s the true Eurovision spirit – have fun, don’t get your panties in a bundle.

Holden
Holden
8 years ago

Well done Portugal. Parabéns !!! We miss you so much.

someone
someone
8 years ago

Portugal is not only Suzy, Catarina Pereira or CR7 sister, we have more and better artists!

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Excellent news from RTP! Thank you, Portugal! x

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

They just hate SVT

Robert Heslop
Robert Heslop
8 years ago

If they want to stick with Portuguese songs then they need something similar to the Brazilian artists Anitta – Atenção or Manu Gavassi – Camiseta, obviously by using a Portugal-born singer.

bartosz
bartosz
8 years ago

That’s a good news. I hope that they will send something fresh and modern – Amor Electro for example

Pedro
Pedro
8 years ago

@ESCadditc
You must be confident that what you say is always right.. Get some notion dude…

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
8 years ago

Portugal must be feeling confident that Sweden will not win.

Portugal must put more effort into their songs. They get the results they deserve.

Paul D.
Paul D.
8 years ago

Let’s hope Sweden doesn’t win again lol

DJ Tiggeh
DJ Tiggeh
8 years ago

Portugl will return, unless Sweden win again XD

Sabina
Sabina
8 years ago

I hope we will see Catarina Pereira at last!

Denis
Denis
8 years ago

Last time they took a break, In Malmö, they said they would be back with a new process and new songs. They came back with the same process and even worse songs than before the break. So I’m not hoping for much, we have the exactly same procedure next year. And what if Sweden wins this year, or any time soon which is likely. Will you take another break? Portugal should reconsider their attitude towards Eurovision. If you still see it as a way to “promote” your culture then you won’t go anywhere. For all means use Portuguese and your… Read more »

florinho
florinho
8 years ago

2017- Portugal in , Romania out

Leaf
Leaf
8 years ago

SUZY needs to come back !!!!!
We need the light, summery, dancy, exotic tunes at Eurovision…. Cos honestly I am getting bored of everyone trying to be Avicii and Sia….. We need something more authentic !!!!

Pedro
Pedro
8 years ago

Thank you so much for all support! Love, Portugal! :’)

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
8 years ago

This time, choose VERY carefully, something worthy of the top-half of the final table. For example, consider what your next-door neighbor (Spain) sent this year.

El Rosario de Raquel
8 years ago

Luz yo quiero ver luz
Poder pintar de color
Un nuevo amanecer
Vivir, amar y sentir
Wolcome PORTUCAL 2017
SUZI quero ser tua.

oooops
oooops
8 years ago

Suzy or Catarina Pereira(Do someone know to spell this?) should participate in Eurovision, or maybe Ronalda will get loads of votes

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Bring back Flor-de-lis!! 🙂

Lucie
Lucie
8 years ago

If you guys are interested in becoming competitive, look at the spanish mirror. Move a bit away from your roots, try something different.

Now if you just want to “promote” your culture, keep doing the same.

Miguel
Miguel
8 years ago

Welcome back hermanos portugueses.

Please bring something good to the contest, worth of qualifying. We want to see Portugal again in the final. You’ve missed it since 2010.

AG
AG
8 years ago

Portugal is one of my favourite countries in Eurovision and I don’t know why.

They definitely have to change their selection process. They need a young and big name performing few songs where people will get a chance to choose one.

But something has to be up to date and still Portuguese. It’s not the language that’s the problem, but the fact Portugal doesn’t understand the purpose of Eurovision.

I’m happy they will be back.

Pollaski
Pollaski
8 years ago

Good to see Portugal’s back. GET DOWN, EVERYONE!

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hot-dancing-unlv-college-football-fan-2012.gif

Of course, we’ll be getting down to music with a rigidly regional appeal that the vast majority of us won’t understand a damned bit of, but get down anyways.

blondboybc
blondboybc
8 years ago

Very pleased to see Portugal returning in 2017! Hopefully we’ll see Turkey back, too. But, not holding my breath. Bring back Suzy! Loved that song/performance! 😀

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

Yeah! I am very happy with that. I hope they get a good entry, cause returning countries most of the time have that when they come back.

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Maybe the spoke to soon? What If Sweden wins? Portugal has a record of not attending Eurovision in Sweden 🙂

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

I have some questions for Portugal now
Can they submit a song with full or part English language this time?
What if Frans wins the contest, will they finalize their participation for next year?

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

not my favourite country musical-wise but glad to hear it, nevertheless. maybe outsource the song to sweden next year?

Thiefo
Thiefo
8 years ago

If they accompany their comeback with a great song, just like many returning artists this year then good! Welcome back!

Transmermaid
Transmermaid
8 years ago

So proud being a fellow portuguese gal!! WE NEED EUROVISION

No Name
No Name
8 years ago

Honestly maybe they shouldn’t have, Portugal is like one of the most underrated country in the whole competition, They had a perfect victory-entry in 2008 yet they didn’t made it to the top 10. I don’t really see the point of coming back If it’s just to be stuck in semis again and again..

But nonetheless, I hope them great results for the upcoming years!

Lanti
8 years ago

Yay they’re back! (And hopefully not with something that sounds like their 2011 entry)

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
8 years ago

Hope they do with a good song…