The EBU has confirmed that 41 countries will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. These are the same 41 countries that had planned to compete at Eurovision 2020.
The confirmed list brings an end to speculation over the two countries that had yet to publicly confirm: Belarus and the UK. Fans had worried that Belarus might withdraw because the broadcaster experienced staff changes following the political turmoil in Belarus.
Similarly, the BBC have been rather quiet. But the 2020 series of popular entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing debuted a month later than usual, meaning that the BBC’s publicity team has been busy promoting that show and may not have had time to focus on a Eurovision announcement.
Eurovision 2021: The 41 confirmed countries
🇦🇱 Albania
Albanian broadcaster RTSH will use its long-running song contest Festivali i Këngës 59 to select the Albanian Eurovision again. The competing acts have been selected and will be revealed in coming weeks.
🇦🇲 Armenia
Broadcaster AMPTV has not yet said how it will select its act for Rotterdam. Last year it held national final Depi Evratesil, however in recent years, Armenia has also internally selected their act.
🇦🇺 Australia: Montaigne
Broadcaster SBS has internally selected Montaigne as Australia’s artist for 2021. Her song will be internally selected. This also means that the regular national final Eurovision: Australia Decides has been paused for one year.
🇦🇹 Austria: Vincent Bueno
Austrian broadcaster ORF has invited back their 2020 internally selected singer, Vincent Bueno. It is most likely that his song will again be internally selected.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Efendi
Azeri singer Samira Efendi has said that she will represent Azerbaijan in the next edition of the song contest. Efendi was originally internally selected to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2020. It is likely that her song for Rotterdam will also be internally selected.
🇧🇾 Belarus
Broadcaster BTRC has not yet publicly commented on their participation, other than to say that 2020 act VAL will not be invited back for 2021. Belarus usually selects their act with a national final.
🇧🇪 Belgium: Hooverphonic
Following an agreement between Belgium’s two Eurovision broadcasters VRT and RTBF, Hooverphonic will return as the Belgian act for Eurovision 2021. The group was originally internally selected to represent Belgium in 2020.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria: VICTORIA
Broadcaster BNT has confirmed that Victoria Georgieva — who performs as VICTORIA — will return as their act at the next edition of Eurovision. She was originally internally selected for Bulgaria’s comeback at Eurovision 2020. Her song will likely be internally selected.
🇭🇷 Croatia
Broadcaster HRT will again use its national final Dora for 2021. The grand final will be held on 13 February. Dora 2020 winner Damir Kedžo will not automatically have a place, however HRT has said he is welcome to enter.
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Broadcaster RIK (CyBC) has not given any details of its selection process for Eurovision 2021, however it has confirmed that 2020 act Sandro will not represent the country for a second year. The broadcaster is likely to internally select their act.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Benny Cristo
Broadcaster Česká Televize has internally selected Benny Cristo for the next edition of Eurovision. The popular singer — who also performs under his full name Ben Cristovao — had previously won the national final ESCZ 2020. It is not known how his song for Rotterdam will be selected.
🇩🇰 Denmark
Back in April, broadcaster DR spoke about the 2021 edition of its national final Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. However, at the time DR also said they would start planning the national final “only after the corona crisis is over” — something that is arguably still a long way off. To date, DR has not released any further details about DMGP 2021. The 2020 winners Ben & Tan have not been offered an automatic place in the contest, and the duo say they will not be entering for 2021.
🇪🇪 Estonia
Estonian broadcaster ERR will again use its national final Eesti Laul to select its act. Competing acts will be announced on 5 December, with the grand final scheduled for 6 March. 2020 winner Uku Suviste has been guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.
🇫🇮 Finland
Broadcaster YLE will again hold its national final UMK to select its next Eurovision act. The seven competing acts will be announced on 19 January with the grand final due to be held on 20 February. The 2020 winner Aksel has confirmed he will be submitting an entry.
🇫🇷 France
For 2021, the French broadcaster will select their song using the new national final Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez.France’s 2020 act Tom Leeb has confirmed he won’t return for 2021 due to other commitments.
🇬🇪 Georgia: Tornike Kipiani
Tornike Kipiani will represent Georgia at the next edition of Eurovision. He was originally selected by winning the 2019 series of Georgian Idol. His song for Rotterdam is likely to be internally selected.
🇩🇪 Germany
The German broadcasters ARD and NDR will again use their internal selection process, with a demographically selected jury and expert jury helping to decide their entry for Rotterdam. The broadcaster says that the door is open for 2020 act Ben Dolic, who intends to submit a song with “Violent Thing” songwriter Boris Milanov.
🇬🇷 Greece: Stefania
Greek broadcaster ERT says it intends to continue its partnership with Greek-Dutch singer Stefania Liberakakis, who was to be the Greek act for Eurovision 2020. Her song will be internally selected.
🇮🇸 Iceland: Daði og Gagnamagnið
Broadcaster RÚV has invited back Söngvakeppnin 2020 winner Daði Freyr and his group Gagnamagnið. As his song will be internally selected, Iceland will not hold a 2021 edition of its national final.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Broadcaster RTÉ has not given any details about its participation in Eurovision 2021. However,in May, Ireland’s 2020 act Lesley Roy said that RTÉ had tentatively invited her back — but only if she manages to come up with the right song.
🇮🇱 Israel: Eden Alene
Israel’s broadcaster KAN has invited back Eden Alene as Israel’s act for Eurovision 2021. She was originally selected as the winner of Israel’s 2020 national final. Her entry will be selected using a 16-song national final.
🇮🇹 Italy
Broadcaster RAI has confirmed that the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival will have first refusal to represent Italy at Eurovision. Due to the pandemic, Sanremo will take place on a later date for 2021, with the grand final 6 March.
🇸🇲 Latvia: Samanta Tīna
Broadcaster LTV has invited back Supernova 2020 winner Samanta Tīna to represent Latvia at Eurovision 2021. The broadcaster has not said how her song will be selected, but it will not hold its usual national final Supernova.
🇱🇹 Lithuania
In late March, broadcaster LRT said that Lithuania would again hold their national final Pabandom iš naujo and that 2020 winners THE ROOP would get a pass to the grand final. However, to date no details of the 2021 national final have been confirmed, nor has THE ROOP said if they will be competing.
🇲🇹 Malta: Destiny
Broadcaster TVM internally selected Junior Eurovision winner Destiny Chunkunyere for Eurovision 2021. Destiny was originally headed for Eurovision 2020 after winning X Factor Malta. The broadcaster has not yet said how her song for 2021 will be selected, however it is unlikely that TVM will hold a national final.
🇲🇩 Moldova: Natalia Gordienko
2020 act Natalia Gordienko has updated her Instagram bio to describe herself as Moldova’s act for Eurovision 2021. Media speculation suggests she’ll again be working with the same creative team from 2020.
🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Jeangu Macrooy
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS says they are “happy to continue the collaboration” with Jeangu Macrooy. The Suriname singer had previously been internally selected to represent the Netherlands in 2020. His song for Rotterdam is likely to be internally selected.
🇲🇰 North Macedonia
Broadcaster MKRTV has not given any details about how they will select their act for Rotterdam, however since 2016 they have always used internal selection.
🇳🇴 Norway
Broadcaster NRK has will again host its national final Melodi Grand Prix. The grand final will take place on 20 February. 2020 artist Ulrikke has turned down the opportunity to compete again.
🇵🇱 Poland
Broadcaster TVP has not yet said how it will select its act, nor if 2020 singer Alicja Szemplińska will get a return ticket to Rotterdam.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Broadcaster RTP will again use its long-running national final Festival da Canção. The winner of FdC will go to represent Portugal in Rotterdam.
🇷🇴 Romania: Roxen
Romanian broadcaster TVR has again internally selected 2020 act Roxen. The broadcaster has not said how Roxen’s song for Eurovision will be chosen. In 2020, her song was selected from five possible entries at a national final.
🇷🇺 Russia
Broadcaster Channel One — one of Russia’s two Eurovision broadcasters — has confirmed they will again be organising Russia’s entry for Eurovision 2021. There’s no word on how the entry will be selected, but since 2013 Russia has internally selected its Eurovision act, usually with little fanfare before the artist announcement.
🇸🇲 San Marino: Senhit
The Italian singer Senhit will again represent San Marino at Eurovision. She previously competed at Eurovision 2011 and was due to return in 2020. Details of her song selection method have not been confirmed.
🇷🇸 Serbia
There’s no word on whether broadcaster RTS will use their national final Beovizija or internally select. Tabloid reports claiming that 2020 act Hurricane would represent Serbia at Eurovision 2021 were earlier refuted by the girl band themselves. Speaking to wiwibloggs in June, the group’s publicist said: “We do not yet have official information about this from [RTS].” They also said that they expected to know about Eurovision 2021 in “September or October”.
🇸🇮 Slovenia: Ana Soklič
Broadcaster RTV SLO has internally selected Ana Soklič for Eurovision 2021. She had previously won EMA 2020 and was due to perform at Eurovision 2020. Song submissions have been accepted and RTV SLO are likely to hold some sort of national final to choose her song.
🇪🇸 Spain: Blas Cantó
Spanish broadcaster RTVE has invited back the singer Blas Cantó to be Spain’s act in the next edition of Eurovision. His song for Rotterdam is likely to be internally selected.
🇸🇪 Sweden
Broadcaster SVT has will again use its long-running national final Melodifestivalen to select its act for the next edition of Eurovision. The Melodifestivalen tour will not be held, with all shows instead filmed in a smaller Stockholm venue. Competing acts are expected to be announced in November, with the grand final scheduled for 13 March.
🇨🇭 Switzerland: Gjon’s Tears
Gjon Muharremaj — who performs as Gjon’s Tears — will again represent Switzerland at Eurovision 2021. He was previously internally selected for Eurovision 2020. His song for Rotterdam will likely be internally selected.
🇺🇦 Ukraine: Go_A
Ukraine broadcaster UA:First has invited back 2020 national final winners Go_A. The broadcaster has not said how the group’s song will be selected or if national final Vidbir will be held in some form.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Atypically, the BBC has not yet commented on their participation for Eurovision 2021, though the broadcaster’s publicity team may currently be busy with Strictly Come Dancing. Last year BBC chose their act internally, though in recent years they have used a national final.
What do you think? Are you excited that the class of 2020 is back for 2021? What other countries would you like to see compete at Eurovision? Tell us your thoughts below!
DR has just announced that Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will take place 6 March in DR Byen. With 8 songs competing.
https://www.dr.dk/event/melodigrandprix/regler-deltagelse-i-dansk-melodi-grand-prix-2021
I’m just beginning to feel a glimmer of optimism, on the basis that at least we are going to see so many of the doomed 2020 acts finally being able to complete with one another.
Why they didnt program the ESC on summer??? On may its quiet sure that the option B ,C or D will the only ones possible !
TBH, I don’t think Armenia will pull it off. Armenian economy has been extremely damaged because of the war. And getting free weapons from Russia and Iran isn’t helping either. Hope they manage to join.
I dont want the economic or covid situation there to stop them from making a title tilt and giving Athena first refusal and a self written song with international partners because in my opinion, she really deserves it (I am from UK and my opinion is entirely on the basis of me obsessing and poring over Athena due to Chains On You – It has nothing to do with the conflict, and in fact, I voted for Azerbaijan in 2019 for Truth, which was my fave just because it is an ace song, simple as)
I hope that Jaagup Tuisk will represent Estonia in Eurovision 2021!
I also want to see Magnus Bokn, Maria Christian, Dotter, and Barbara Tinoco!
So, I guess the logo will also be the same for 2021 as we have the same participating countries without any returnees or withdrawals.
Hey, it’s good to not redo a logo. Saves time and money.
Giving the circunstances, it’s a big deal that nobody gave up. Sure, we would want some comebacks, but it’s not easy to return when there’s an international crisis going on and still some doubts about how the contest will happen. I’m curious about Lithuania’s situation. Their national final is usually one of the first to start, but we have no news about it yet. Plus The Roop built a strong fanbase there and abroad.Would they be inclined to follow Iceland’s lead?
Fingers crossed!!
That’s what I’ve been harping about for the last couple days. I’ve noticed there hasn’t been any more news about Lithuania’s 2021 national final plans since March 31 and seven months is a long time for radio silence. Lots of things can change between then and now. If Lithuania is going to do their national final, why hasn’t the broadcaster announced that they’ve opened the window for entries submissions? Lithuania’s submission period usually goes from late-September or early October to early December, but it’s almost November, and there’s been no news about the period being opened. They could be opening… Read more »
It would be great to have the input from someone from Lithuania. Even if the decision was to postpone to early March, I guess we would have heard something by now. Unless they decide to cut the heats and go right to the semifinals, then it’s still doable
That would be a way to cut down the number of people if there are restrictions within the studio due to the pandemic.
*sighing* Kazakhstan…
If they win JESC 2020, I feel like they might get a pass. But only if they win. Even finishing runner-up wasn’t enough of a push. Gotta go all the way!
If a big 5 country wins, I have a feeling Kazakhstan will be invited to ensure as an automatic finalist to ensure 26 countries are in the final, and then will participate in semis in subsequent years.
Well…that would be so unfair. The reason Australia got straight into the final in 2015 is because it was supposed to be a one-off.
Belarus? i dont think so. If you google it you will see that the dictator fired all people in the tv stations. All people in Belarus are fighting the dictator right now in the streets. Free Belarus. No artist will go if he is there.
I wish that was true that no artist would go to ESC. But I think Belarusian broadcaster have some sort of plan why else would they be on a list of confirmed countries. The broadcaster can definitely find an obedient puppet that they can use to show that everything in Belarus is “okay”. And there are definitely artists that stay apolitical even in crisis like right.
I’m pretty sure Lukashenko will make them find someone to sing ‘I love Belarus’ 2.0 or some folklore stuff. Backdrop will be red and green all over the place.
I hope Belarus won’t send a propaganda song by Lukashenko like in 2011. #FreeBelarus
Excluding 2011, I don’t think that’s really their style. At the moment, even BRTC would be too sophisticated for that. The propaganda for Belarus comes through participating and pretending that everything is normal. Winning and ensuring Minsk 2022 would be the real propaganda triumph, not a patriotic song itself.
Well, excluding 2007, 2009 and perhaps 2017, everything they’ve sent was just not a winning material to begin with. I have little faith that now they’ll suddenly change the pattern. Of course, I would love to be proven wrong and for them to actually try. Still, I believe that potential Minsk 2022 contest might present a challenge from the standpoint of assuring everyone is safe.
And yeah, 2011 propaganda song was downright dreadful. Aside from the noise from Portugal, probably my least favorite song there. And that’s saying a lot when referring to 2011.
They didn’t send one in JESC 2020, so I’m hopeful they will send a normal pop song/ballad or whatever is in their style. In fact, Belarus’ entry in this year’s JESC is my personal favourite. Not to support the regime, but I just really like Arina’s song and the vibe in it.
i have heard her songwriter is in prison. He was on a protest. FREE BELARUS
With that news I’m kinda surprised she’s still participating…
i know. she is half russian. the dictator likes russians. Not his own people
That makes sense
I’m happy that we don’t have withdrawals from 2020. I’m really looking forward for the eurovision 2021 nfs season, and ofc let’s cross that eurovision 2021 will take place in scenario A
Tecnically, we have whitdraws from Montenegro and Hungary, but I got what you mean and I totally agree! Let’s hope the situation with Covid will be better for May, but for now I’m keeping my hopes low to not be sad in May.
Scenario D will be great, too. Better than No ESC at least!
Like my friend said, if you have low expectations, you’ll never be disapointed.
(Also I agree with the scenario d thing)
Aw that’s so good! Something to definitely look forward to!
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I actually can’t wait to get this year done.
I’m so ready!
Rotterdam 21 begins NOW!!
I don’t know if I’m happy about Belarus coming back, if only because I’d be worried for any performer dealing with those dangerous morons at the broadcaster. Who would even want to?
To be honest, I think a lot of performers are happy to go along with the broadcaster. No shade to them, it’s one thing to actively throw support behind Lukashenko, but if you don’t live in a democracy silently towing the company line so to speak isn’t a stain on your character. I don’t think Angelika Pushnova and Napoli said anything about the protests…
if im honest: The one who goes the people will really hate. no one supports the dictator besides the dictators terror police and Putin and his terror police
I haven’t heard anything from Pushnova, but NAPOLI did post a statement on her Instagram denouncing police brutality, but not the removal of Lukashenko from power and the electoral fraud. Also, haven’t heard from the Provokatsiya guys or CHAKRAS. Even freakin’ Koldun hasn’t spoken about the protests since they began in August.
Alyona Lanskaya is always lurking there in the corner. She’s now a Lukashenko supporter.
Fun fact: it’s the first time in 31 years that we have the same line-up two years in a row (and seventh overall).
I won’t say it like this because 2020 contest was not even held. Let’s call this just a coincidence.
don’t forget the 2020 contest songs
With songs or with no songs, it still doesn’t count.
This is more or less what I figured would happen. And honestly, it’s probably for the best. Just the stability of having the same lineup as last year is probably a big relief. Here’s hoping we see some of our absent friends again soon enough, but I’m just happy to see the same 41 countries back for another go!
The sad thing about this is that probably more than one country will withdraw for 2022, bringing the total into the 30’s or possibly the mid 20’s.
The EBU will do everything to stop that from happening, and I am confident that it never will.
Last time we dipped that low was due to multiple broadcasters having financial issues and bad results. We haven’t sunk that low since then. Truthfully, it’s hard to see it dipping lower cuz the lineup has been so stable. There have been about 26 or so countries that have competed every year since 2005, and that’s give or take countries that pulled out one or two times but still mostly stick around (Portugal, Serbia, Poland, Armenia, San Marino, Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Romania, Cyprus…). Heck, five years ago we probably wouldn’t have called Australia or the Czech Republic… Read more »
The most recent #EurovisionAgain had no Sweden, Denmark or Malta! I think we’re doing okay now…
Heck, it’s probably too early to even write off Hungary or Montenegro from an extended exit. One absence does not a Luxembourg make.
Just to break it down:
Haven’t missed a contest since…
2004: Albania, Belarus, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
2005: Moldova
2008: Azerbaijan
2010: Georgia
2011: Austria, Italy, San Marino
2013: Armenia
2014: Poland
2015: Australia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Serbia
2016: Croatia
And beyond that, there are a couple that don’t fit the mold precisely (Bulgaria, Hungary, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Russia, and Ukraine) but haven’t gone more than two absences at a time since around 2007.
I’m just waiting for my country (Serbia) and RTS to internally select Hurricane. Beovizija can wait for 2022.
I would like a public selection for their song because they have released a lot of music since ESC were cancelled and are very skilled multilingually. Hasta La Vista was in my top 10, and i think they could do an ace bilingual tune.
Not to mention that Hurricane is currently one of the most popular acts in Serbia, RTS should definitely not make a mistake.
Wasn’t there supposed to be an announcement in September Serbia’s 2021 Eurovision plans? It’s passed and no news has come out.
This was jsaid just as an excuse for fake news that came out this summer. I think we will have to wait a little more… Even up till January.
From today, Croatian TV HRT is collecting applications for Dora plus changes to the regulations, a recorded choir and fourteen candidates plus five people on the stage, and the voting format will be announced on January 20, and additionally Indira forza during the conversation about Dora, said that never say never, maybe she would participate again
Since the same 41 countries from 2020 are going to participate in 2021 I guess this means they’ll keep the semi-final allocation from last year as well?
Obviously. What would be the point of doing it all over again if the countries are the same?
I really hope so. I feel like it’s a bit unnecessary to go through the same process all over again. Plus we have good split between countries like Armenia and Azerbaijan, Greece and Cyprus and Moldova and Romania. I fear that if they will do it again, we will once again get semis that are “unfair”, “too weak” or “a bloodbath”. The semifinals splits made for 2020 are perfect in my opinion: they are both fair and equal. Of course if we will have a “Switzerland situation” where the country specifically wants to perform in a certain semifinal, then of… Read more »
I kinda want a different semi lineup from 2020, so 2021 can still have it’s own identity. (like how they are revamping the open up logo)
Hopefully they’ll never invite Kazakhstan or any other non-European country.
Well, they’ve already invited Kazakhstan to Junior Eurovision. I guess it’s just a matter of time till they invite them to the adult version as well, considering that non-European countries, such as Australia, Israel and Armenia are allowed to participate.
Then somebody has to withdraw to make room for Kazakhstan. We have too many participants already every year.
The contest can accommodate 46 countries per contest. It’s never been too full.
Israel and Armenia don’t need to be “allowed” in the same way that Australia and Kazakhstan do.
So funny that you consider Azerbaijan a European country but not Armenia #biased
Lmao, unlike Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Turkey, Armenia and Israel are the only countries that have no territory in Europe.
So, yes, Armenia is not a European country, while Azerbaijan is Euroasian.
Wow, etnocentric much?
Kazakhstan is already participating in Junior edition and has broadcast the ESC for years now. They are likely to join at some point in the future when EBU can’t ignore them anymore
all dictator countries should NOT be allowed. who agrees? its not a bad thing to left them out. Turkey will NEVER be in after their treatment against France. Kazakstan,Russia, Belarus,Azerbaijan i can live without until they change for the better.
I really like james newman as an artist so i hope he stays. Also kudos for him being a songwriter himself. His song therapy gets played a lot at my work.
A sea of flaaags, so beautifulllll
They lift meeee uuuup intoooo the sky and guuuiiiide me hoooooooooooooooome
Wonderful news how the list of participating countries remain unchanged but I won’t hold my breath just yet as it’s still likely a few sudden withdrawals is possible. Next month we’ll find out who’s in Eesti Laul and shortly after all songs are out. Fikmas is coming! By new year MGP & PiN will kick start their heats and come February Mello fever swings by along with other NFs gearing up and long-awaited reveals for internally selected songs. Such a good feeling after what felt like the longest 7 months ever… Eurovision season is around the corner again. Even if… Read more »
The FiK list is coming out next week from what I’ve heard 🙂
I think its tomorrow
Oof, I hope the trend of shock winners won’t continue in 2021. Especially given the fact that “Running Scared” and “Everybody” are one of the weakest winners in the past two decades. I would be happy though, if a new country wins the competition.
I hope so too. It’s time for somebody to get their first win.
BRTC are really going to act like there isn’t political turmoil in the country…shame about Hungary and Montenegro but given the global economic recession I’m happy that no one withdrew.
So, a semi-final allocation draw won’t be necessary, right?
Interesting idea.
Why not? It’s new songs and 13 new acts. That draw worked for 2020
The songs and performers are irrelevant to the purpose of the draw. The draw is done in order to avoid having too many countries from one bloc in the same semi final.
I do think they might do another draw just to get the fandom in the mood and symbolically kick off the 2021 season, but other than that it’s a waste of time and energy.
yes true, why go for so many events where you might have covid risks
Isn’t the semi final draw the part of the season which is easiest to do distanced?
You can hold a draw with only one person though.
Why is it necessary? How is using the previous draw a problem? I don’t care if they hold another allocation draw, it just seems unnecessary to me. I don’t mind postponing the draw to after the deadline in March, though countries who select an entry later in the season can still get an impression of the competition and chose accordingly, they just wouldn’t be able to make this calculation regarding their semi. I wouldn’t ditch the 1st\2nd half draw. The production (=Björkman) already have too much power to build-up an entry by giving it a p??mp spot or bury it… Read more »
Oh, so I didn’t understand you. I thought you meant the production can determine the lineup however they wanted, without having to play within the allocated halves. If so, then I agree with you. In theory I can see the reasoning for having the producers determine the lineup (avoid having similar songs in a row etc.) but in action it’s just bordering on corruption. I would like to go back to the random draw too, but if not – I’d at least have the songs drawn into thirds or quarters, not halves. This would give more power to chance, and… Read more »
Exactly and the likes of Say Tra La La would stay in the Semi where it belonged
Well put. The draw ceremony can stay the same length. The way it is now, there are two bowls (one for each semi final), each of them has two kinds of notes – “1st half” and “2nd half”. If they draw the countries into quarters then they’ll have four types of notes, that’s it. The host still mixes up the notes and reads whatever is written on the the one they picke, just like before. Also, if I’m not mistaken the semis were drawn into halves even before Björkman started determining the running order himself, because rehearsals for the 1st… Read more »
Since they consider it a totally new year/edition with songs and everything it will probably happen anyway.
Why not? It would be held as usual. We can still get 2020 semi finals line-up, but that’s chance one in a million.
I think they should keep the same countries for same semifinals, but maybe change the semifinal halfs (1st half / 2nd half) a bit and of course the semifinal draws need to be changes as we will have totally new songs.
I think this would be a good idea, because we would’ve had the perfect semifinal splits for 2020:
-Armenia and Azerbaijan in different semis
-Greece and Cyprus in different semis
-Moldova and Romania in different semis
-Overall good split
Do you know what date(s) please?
I would like to follow it
I still have my doubts that Australia will be there for 2021 . Very few are allowed to fly out of Australia and the government says no international travel until mid 2021 or a vaccine is available .
Australian cricket players are allowed to play in the IPL at the moment, which is based in the UAE/India atm. She’ll just have to abide by strict quarantine once she gets back.
she would perform remotely in this case. I do also fear that some acts based in different countries where the gulf in covid handling is greater, like Athena, wouldnt access their HODs easily (Dadi would, as the handling in Iceland and Germany are similar in quality and done well), and would travel to Rotterdam without them.
I doubt that Athena will decide to not go to Armenia for eurovision because of the covid situation there. As long as she stays safe everything is alright
Athena would love to return to Armenia in person tomorrow if she could, but with nearly 1000 recorded positive tests per million, and some “buying” such, compared to Greece’s 80 per million, it is hard to see how she could go there until the new year, particularly given wiwi said she couldn’t go to Armenia to film the (not location reliant) video for Dolla, and I hope she can be selected to represent them, and work on her song, video etc, without needing to be there or meeting the HOD. I have nothing to do with Armenia (I’m from UK),… Read more »
I know that Armenia has opened borders for tourists after Athena has recorded the music video of “Dolla”. Right now everyone who is entering to Armenia needs or to go to 14 day quarantine or to test negative for the virus after landing there and right now Armenia is planning to lift these entry restrictions in early January.
I hope they can, but the virus is going really badly (even worse than it is here in UK and we have the worst elected government in Europe) and it will need a proper lockdown. And I want AMPTV and Athena to do joint contingency plans so that the potential of the woman who gave the world Chains On You doesn’t have her potential ruined by poor resources.
Her birthday’s on the final? that cool
Also, it meant she turned 11 when Helena (who She later wrote a song for in 2017) won in Kiev, and it is also the same day as the most famous Armenian musician, recently deceased chanson icon Charles Aznavour.
Why have you not realised yet that one of the scenarios is if people can’t leave their country, they will perform remotely? I feel like I have seen you make this comment a lot and you still fail to grasp that one simple answer.
Yes, but is it also not true that the government might allow if it is for a special occasion? Competing abroad would count as such. Also you seem to have missed the part where they mentioned several scenarios? If she can’t go then she will perform in her home country being linked to Rotterdam..
I think that Montaigne will be granted a special permission from the government. Otherwise she will participate remotely. I really hope that this won’t happen, but it’s far more better than withdrawing. But they won’t withdraw, it’s special permission or remote participation
yes agreed, i think Montaigne might receive special permission from the government since she already missed out on performing at 2020 contest when it was being cancelled, so yeah i guess they have sympathies
If they allow certain people to play abroad in competitions, they’ll allow her to go as well. What they might say is that she can’t have a huge delegation or she’ll need Dutch rather than Australian dancers/backing singers.
I agree with what you have said
I actually on day randomly thought of pros and cons for deciding participating remotely or at Rotterdam is better (If the people who decide get a choice): Pros for Rotterdam: Don’t need to build stage Nice and big stage design Cons and things to consider: Will the government let her go? Quarantine Much more of a covid risk Travelling far to the Netherlands Probably more expensive Quarantine Did I say quarantine? What if someone gets covid? Pros for Remote: Minimal travelling Less covid risk They know they can stage it (Big night in) Maybe cheaper? No quarantine Everyone is there… Read more »
Youpi, let’s go to ESC 2021!!!
One of the few good news of 2020. However, I think Montenegro could’ve made a comeback. Hungary too, but their withdrawal was made due to political reasons so a comeback was never a possibility for me, at least at this time, with covid19 as a possible excuse. It seems that UK didn’t want to make any announcement regarding its ESC participation because of the ongoing pandemic. I was expecting Belarus to confirm since they had already confirmed for JESC despite the political situation. My only concern is about Armenia and Azerbaijan because of the ongoing conflict. Armenia hasn’t even confirmed… Read more »
I wish Montenegro returned, and also Slovakia due to Mikolas, Lake Malawi and Benny. I am sure all of Athena, Hurricane, Leslie and Alicija are given first refusal, but i do fear that , as Athena has been unable to travel to Armenia since she was returned to Greece after the show was cancelled, the covid and war makes matters even worse for her than for someone who lives within Armenia’s borders. Also, she said on her story in late September that she was releasing a ballad in October, but 26 days into the month, and no mention of it… Read more »
For me, my countryman James Newman, my fave Athena Manoukian, Lesley roy and Hurricane (I don’t want Cyprus to select a female rnb/dance pop act because I want Stefania, Athena, hurricane, Samira and Eden protected) are the ones I am waiting for
I think 28-30 acts will return (though only Uku I expect would win a challenge belt selection involving the 2020 act in a regular process). My wishes: *James Newman And Iain James to put their heart into the UK song, whether it’s theirs or not. * the name of Athena Manoukian, whose birthday is May 22, but who probably hasn’t yet been named due to the gulf in how Greece and Armenia have handled Covid (but i’m Sure she will be and I want fans to select it and everything done to prevent a repeat of srbuk’s horror campaign 2019),… Read more »
Why is Latvia’s flag San Marino’s?
Seriously? Downvoted for a simple question? Y’all pressed
Uff… I am very glad that UK and Belarus are in! Even though I expected no returns / debuts, part of me was still secretly rooting for it. Nonetheless, this is a much better situation than it could have been and I hope that everyone will make the best out of it while remaining safe as possible.
So there won’t be any semi final allocation draw ceremony this year
I’m sure there will be with new songs and 10-13 new acts.
good thing nothing’s changed from last year, even tho montenegro and hungary have no excuses to not participate… hope they’ll be back soon
Montenegro has little money and Hungary’s government doesn’t want them to participate – those are the “excuses”
Participating in ESC is’t exactly life or death. It is an invite, not an obligation. They don’t need excuses to turn it down..