Earlier this month, there was fan speculation that Hungary would return to Eurovision 2022 and the national song contest A Dal would again serve as the national final. However, this was incorrect. The official rules of A Dal 2022 have now been released — and there’s no mention of the contest being connected to Eurovision.
Broadcaster MTVA has opened submissions for A Dal 2021 and has released the rules for entry. There is much in common with standard Eurovision rules — artists must be at least 16 years old, songs must be no more than three minutes long, no animals are allowed on stage.
But unlike other national song contests, the winner of A Dal 2022 won’t win the ticket to represent their country at Eurovision. The rules are clear that the main prize of A Dal 2022 will remain as winning the Petőfi Music Award.
While Hungary could still compete at Eurovision 2022 by selecting their act through another method, given Hungary’s withdrawal in 2020, it seems likely they will be taking another year off.
Hungary’s withdrawal in 2020
Prior to 2020, the A Dal rules explicitly confirmed that the winner of A Dal would also go on to represent Hungary at Eurovision. But since 2020, this has been dropped, replaced with the Petőfi Music Award prizes and other perks.
MTVA did not give a specific reason for why they were withdrawing from Eurovision 2020 but said that instead of doing Eurovision, they “will support the valuable productions created by the talents of Hungarian pop music directly.”
However, after speculation in foreign press that Hungary had withdrawn from Eurovision over the presence of LGBTQ performers, the broadcaster issued a strongly worded statement saying this was not the case.
A Dal 2020 went ahead without the Eurovision connection. And despite it suffering from low viewership, things turned out well for the winners. Hungary’s Eurovision 1997 singer Gergo Rácz along with Reni Orsovai won A Dal 2020 with their song “Mostantól”. The song broke records, spending 19 weeks at No.1 on Hungarian radio.
The 2021 edition of the contest was won by the veteran group Kaukázus with their soft rock song “Egyetlen szó”
Hungary’s history of Eurovision breaks
Hungary has a history of withdrawals at Eurovision. After their 1994 debut, Hungary ended up taking a break between 1999 and 2004. After their return in 2005, they took the years 2006 and 2010 off, citing financial difficulties.
While it remains to be seen whether Hungary will eventually return to Eurovision, many fans eagerly await a Hungarian comeback.
What do you think? Would you like to see Hungary return to Eurovision? Will you follow A Dal 2022? Tell us your thoughts below!
In hindsight, it really feels like they were just waiting for one of their acts to miss the Grand Final.
Actually, some of them like it because it’s an opportunity to show off the country.
I’m sure Hungary tolerated ESC when they got good decent results and their main target of ire were migrants/refugees and POC. When they decided to lean into anti LGBTQ discrimination as well, the idea of Eurovision, an event that celebrates multiculturalism and the LGBTQ+ community, became too unpalatable for the Hungarian government. Like one maybe, but both? Orban wouldn’t tolerate both.
How they can comeback with the homophobic Orban as the prime minister?? Lol…
Hungary, Turkey and Morocco too, they are very friend of Italy because are 4 country and they talk the same language (iN therm of o…phobia)
JOCI <3 hes so adorable
I’m not surprised, but even Azerbaijan has suffered through all of the LGBTQ acts in Eurovision but I guess the Azeri mindset is a bit more flexible!
Well, Azerbaijan wants to participate because they promote the country and their propaganda so the broadcaster wants to benefit from the contest. That’s why their entries are always bought, because Ictimai doesn’t really care much.
Wiwi, please delete this homophobic comment.
And that is paradoxical knowing Azeris sent Efendi’ Cleopatra which was basically promoting homosexuality or at least bisexuality as a normal thing to accept, which is certainly not a normal and accepted thing in Asia, heck, even in most of Eastern Europe.
As long as Orban is in charge, Hungary won’t come back 🙁
As a Hungarian as many of you said here, until we have our dictatoric government it is highly unlikely we will every come back to the contest.
So please people from around the globe, pray for us that the united opposition party will win next year in our elections.
Love you all.
A Hungarian Eurovision fan.
I wish you guys good luck for next year’s election, but I have a feeling Orban has this rigged and sewed up In his favor, A la Belarus
It’s the in and out country. They will return when it serves thier purposes..
Or at least once they get rid of Orban.
Unless Orban has it rigged for him to stay in power even with an election.
Wouldn’t put it past him tbh.
During the reign of Orban, the return is unrealistic, but if the opposition wins the elections in 2022, it is the only hope that Hungary will return
Hungary has an election in 2022 and the United Opposition has a good shot at beating the current government. Hopefully that’ll happen because that would allow Hungary to return to Eurovision!
okay they’re clearly out again, which is bad news since their contribution to eurovision was always precious. hope to see them back soon.
While I am pleasantly surprised and happy that Montenegro is returning, I’m not holding my breath for hungry returning for 2022. If the A Dal rules Aren’t mentioning Eurovision at all, they’re likely not returning, unless they’ll internally select somebody, but that’s not likely either.
This screws everything up for Hungary. When Eurovision needed it the most, THEY WERE GONE.
You have it the wrong way around, it was Hungary who needed the contest – and still does, sadly.
Not the first time Hungary plays on and off game. They return and withdraw often, they will return again.
I don’t know why Hungary is still being a major subject to be talked about in ESC community, in my opinion they’re sadly gone for good, like their neighbours, Slovakia. Nevertheless they’ve sent some bangers and I really want them back, I just can’t see it coming
Same thing happens again so goodbye Hungary.