Photo: EBU / Thomas Hanses

After one year off, Latvia‘s national final Supernova is back and is looking to be just as popular as ever. Broadcaster LTV has confirmed that 130 entries have been received for Supernova 2022 — the highest number ever received.

The record of 130 just beats the previous record total of 126 entries that were received in late 2019 for Supernova 2020.

The upcoming 2022 edition of the national final promises to be musically diverse. Agnese Štrause-Kubliņa — LTV’s head of Children, Youth and Entertainment Programmes — said that “In terms of genre, this is definitely the richest year of Supernova. Songs in the style of pop, folk music, electronic music and even heavy rock have been submitted to the competition.”

She also revealed that among the applicants are artists who have previously represented Latvia at Eurovision. Twenty-one acts have previously flown Latvia’s flag at Eurovision.

Supernova was put on hold for 2021 when 2020 winner Samanta Tīna was internally selected for Rotterdam. Entries for the 2022 edition were launched in October, with the broadcaster saying they were looking for new artists, as well as experienced acts.

The Supernova 2022 selection process

The songs will be assessed by an expert jury selected by LTV. The jury will evaluate the songs, considering the song structure, the international potential of the entry, the personality of the artist and the artist’s past experience and future potential.

The jury will reveal their shortlist of entries some time in January when the songs will also be released publicly. In recent years, the shortlisted acts have performed their songs at a live audition phase to further assess their suitability.

Supernova 2022 will take place in February 2022. At this stage, LTV has not confirmed any details about the 2022 edition of the show. The 2020 edition of Supernova used a single grand final with nine competing acts.

What do you think? Who would you like to see enter Supernova 2022? Should a returning artist represent Latvia in Turin? Tell us your thoughts below!

21 Comments
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Maxim
Maxim
2 years ago

I always thought it was written in Supernova’s rules that past winners can’t participate anymore. Did they change that for this year?

Sussy Baka
Sussy Baka
2 years ago
Reply to  Maxim

There’s not a such rule that doesn’t allow past winners to participate. Aminata, Justs, Triana Park, Laurs Rizzoto, Carousel and Samanta Tina(idk about her) just haven’t tried to participate again.

Kee
Kee
2 years ago

Inside info,Markus riva also submitted a song written by Kontopoulos!

Addie
Addie
2 years ago

I hope Supernova has a really good line up for 2022, they’ve been having so much bad luck in these recent years. I actually liked all of Latvia’s NQs ( even 2021, but after seeing what a disaster of a performance that was, I stopped liking it) Maybe there will be some Latvian songs?? That would be awesome, it’s about time we see some Latvian culture in ESC

Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

all it takes is 1 (ONE) outstanding song in that bunch and latvia will do well. let’s hope they have it bc lately they haven’t been so lucky.

Croatia
Croatia
2 years ago

When I hear that a folk song has been submitted, I have the impression that it will be Madara

Poet
Poet
2 years ago

Fingers crossed Latvia dares to experiment this year. That’s when it typically achieves it’s best results.

Ashton
Ashton
2 years ago
Reply to  Poet

To be fair, have they not been experimenting every single year since 2015?

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  Poet

They have been experimenting ever since 2000 lmao. A variety of genres and styles.

Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago

It’s surprising good that Latvian artists still care about Eurovision even after Latvia’s worst era in the contest.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

It would have so easy or understandable to withdraw after failing to qualify for so many years, but they’re not giving up. Latvia might be last overall for 2021, but there’s only one way to go but up.

Jack Popfield
Jack Popfield
2 years ago

Very curious for this selection and what Latvia can pull up their sleeve next after their horrendous trainwreck in Rotterdam resulting in a 5th last place semifinal finish for Latvia in a space of 12 years, that’s painful. We always ridicule UK, Spain & Germany for their poor results but Latvia are the same story as well (with just one great result in a long space of time) being the black sheep of ex-Soviets. Supernova had a really good start springing 2 straight qualifications in ESC but quickly derailed off track as song standard got lower and lower every year… Read more »

Makss
Makss
2 years ago

As a Latvian,I’m having high hopes for this selection.This many acts applied, it really shows the interest in participation, and that artists are taking it seriously.Also I’m looking forward to hear songs, at least shortlisted ones, because this year’s genre diversity sounds really promising.It’s not that every genre mentioned here will be chosen for the selection, but I hope that the selection will be as diverse as possible. But considering, that those entries should be of high quality of course. Also looking forward to see some artists with past Eurovision experience, and I’m curious about who they are. So far,… Read more »

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  Makss

The returning artist is probably Bujans (Intars Busulis + Reinis Sejans) with that “He, She, Me & You” song. Check it on youtube. It is fine as a fun act for Supernova, for pure entertainment, but definitely should not win.
There were 126 songs submitted in 2020, but most of them were very average or below average. 130 is not much more than that, but all it takes is one stand out act. Hopefully we will have it.

Kaija
Kaija
2 years ago
Reply to  Makss

Anyhow, the music industry in Latvia has been improving over the past few years, we just gotta hope the right artists apply for it, not just the songs from that song writing camp that are never really good.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

Hopefully, Latvia can make a comeback for 2022 after a disastrous last place finish for 2021. Good luck

Zane
Zane
2 years ago

The talk is that Reinis S?j?ns (Cosmos, Latvia 2006) and Intars Busulis (Latvia, 2009) have submitted a song which they performed at X Factor last weekend. You can find it on Youtube as “Buj?ns – She, He, Me & You” and it is a joke entry.
Of course they might not be the only returning artists, but I don’t see many others returning.

N93
N93
2 years ago

21 acts have previously flown Latvia’s flag at Eurovision? That’s an insane number! Really curious to see what Latvia will come up with. And nice to see that after a last place this year, artists aren’t scared of sending an entry and trying to represent Latvia

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago
Reply to  N93

They mean in Latvia’s history they have competed with 21 acts 😀

N93
N93
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Lol haha, my bad!

Ashton
Ashton
2 years ago

hoping Madara returns with a Latvian-language ballad as beautiful as Esam?ba was