The Eurovision 2023 confirmations have been coming thick and fast, and now Portugal has joined the mix. On Friday broadcaster RTP confirmed its participation and opened the submissions window for Festival da Canção — its national final.
Here’s how the broadcaster spelled it out.
“Portugal confirms its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 that will take place next May in the United Kingdom.”
“The national selection – Festival da Canção 2023 – will happen in the first trimester of the year, and it will have 20 songs competing.”
“Sixteen songs will be presented by the authors that RTP invites directly (and whose names will be known later) and the remaining four will come from the open submission of songs.”
“From today until the 21st of October, RTP is receiving applications to participate in the Festival da Canção 2023.”
Portugal at Eurovision
Portugal took a one-year break from Eurovision in 2016 following a run of four straight non-qualifications. It returned with a bang in 2017 and watched jazz star Salvador Sobral win it all with “Amar pelos dois”. The following year Cláudia Pascoal sang about her grandmother’s garden with “O jardim” — and finished last.
And so it goes with Portugal at Eurovision — follow your heart, see what happens. The country’s national final has earned a reputation for doing its own thing, bringing together composers, artists and genres that often catch people off-guard. Never forget: The public vote chose Viva La Diva and their song “Novo Gloria” over Mr. Sobral.
Last year Maro — full name Mariana Brito da Cruz Forjaz Secca — represented the country with “Saudade, saudade,” finishing an impressive fourth in her semi-final and ninth in the grand final.
Who do you want to see compete in Portugal’s national final? Let us know down below!
The most interesting selection over the past few years, along with SanRemo, but that doesn’t suit wiwi’s Melfest agenda…
Earlier today I saw the Instagram page for a vegan festival in Trondheim using Saudade, Saudade as background song for one of their stories. It felt quite random but I was so happy to see it.
I never voted so much for Portugal like Im doing since 2017…They became a quite interesting country at ESC their entries are full of personality! Im waiting for another good song
Portugal very seldom disappoints and their last two entries have been two of their best ever. I have high expectations for what will almost certainly be an awesome selection of songs that will lead to a great entry in the UK. (Which would be a good thing, since with ‘72 excepted, the Portuguese honestly haven’t sent their best to contests in the UK).
1982 was great though! Highly under-classified…
I have to say especially since their return in 2017 Portugal are doing something right I even like telemovis I think that countries that would like a big national final but not to the extent of Melodifestivalen should look towards this one
Loved MARO, i hope they will send something that special again next year.
After the good results the Black Mamba and MARO had achieved for Portugal, it makes total sense. Here’s to hoping the next Portuguese representative will be equally great, if not better
I can’t speak or understand a word of Portuguese but I just love Portugal in Eurovision and always will.
Adelaide was my favourite song in my first Eurovision back in 1985 and my all time favourite Eurovision Song is Lusitana Paixao : it’s an amazing song and I think Dulce Pontes is a terrific singer.
I hope the Portuguese entry will be in Portuguese and I look forward to hearing their entry : they never disappoint!
Indeed Pensar em Ti is another song that was criminally under-valued by the juries…