Eurovision 2021: The puzzle of confirmed countries and acts; Which ESC 2020 contestants return in next year's edition

Eurovision 2021: The puzzle of confirmed countries and acts; Which ESC 2020 contestants return in next year's edition
Monday, 04 May 2020

  • After the unprecedent Eurovision 2020 cancellation and EBU’s decision not to allow this year’s entries to compete in the 2021 edition, the countries are progressively unveiling their intentions and plans regarding next year's contest and whether they will stick with their ESC 2020 hopefuls or select new ones. 

    Once the Eurovision song contest was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic the question that arouse was what will happen with this year’s unlucky contestants that didn’t eventually were deprived the right to complete their Eurovision 2020 journey in Rotterdam. The EBU through a clear statement outruled the ESC 2020 songs ,by not allowing the  ESC 2020 entries to compete in 2021. Therefore the broadcasters were left to decide whether they will return with the same acts or not.

    The decision was accepted by broadcasters and delegations with mixed feelings and reactions. However  the participating countiries are leaving things behind and are progressively unveiling their intentions for next year's edition.

    Therefore the Eurovision 2021 puzzle of competing acts and countries for Eurovision 2021 has so far as following:

     

    CONFIRMED COUNTRIES AND ACTS

     So far a total of 13 countries have confirmed their Eurovision 2021 participation and the comeback of the ESC 2020 acts .These are:

    1. Spain – Blas Canto
    2. The Netherlands– Jeangu Macrooy
    3. Ukraine– GO_A Band
    4. Greece– Stefania
    5. Georgia– Tornike Kipiani
    6. Azerbaijan– Samira Efendi
    7. Switzerland–Gjon’s Tears
    8. Belgium– Hooverphonic
    9. Bulgaria– Victoria
    10. Israel – Eden Alene
    11. Austria - Vincent Bueno
    12. Romania - Roxen
    13. Australia - Montaigne

     

    CONFIRMED COUNTRIES – NEW NATIONAL SELECTIONS

    So far 6 countries have confirmed that they will be competing in Eurovision 2021 but with new selected acts. Estonia has confirmed that it will select a new Eurovision representaitve via Eesti Laul 2021 and gave to Uku Suviste a direct pass to the semi finals, while Sweden will be selecting its ESC 2021 act through the Melodifestivalen 2021 format. The same path have shosen the national broadcasters from Norway, Finland , Lithuania and Denmark.

    1. Sweden- Melodifestivalen
    2. Estonia- Eesti Laul
    3. Norway - Melodi Grand Prix 2021
    4. Finland - UMK 2021
    5. Lithuania - Pabandom Iš Naujo 2021
    6. Denmark - Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021

     

    CONFIRMED COUNTRIES / ACT or SELECTION TO BE DETERMINED

    Croatia has confimred its ESC 2021 participation but the national broadcaster, HRT, hasn’t confirmed whether it will continue with Kedzo Damir or go to a new national selection. The same status applies to Ireland the broadcaster of which has confirmed its Eurovision 2021 participation but has made no decision on the artist. 

    1. Croatia 
    2. Ireland

     

    COUNTRIES WITH NO DECISION YET

    1. Albania
    2. Armenia
    3. Belarus
    4. Cyprus
    5. Czech Republic
    6. France
    7. Germany
    8. Iceland
    9. Italy
    10. Latvia
    11. Malta
    12. Moldova
    13. North Macedonia
    14. Norway
    15. Poland
    16. Portugal
    17. San Marino
    18. Serbia
    19. Slovenia
    20. Russia
    21. United Kingdom

     

    THE ABSENT COUNTRIES 

    Meanwhile a number of countries that have been absent the latest yeats haven’t yet confirmed a possible return or not. Among them Hungary and Montenegro that have been absent only the last year and seem more closer to a decision of returning.

    1. Hungary
    2.  Montenegro

    On the other hand there’s a list of countries that have taken the path of absence the last years and their return seems less likely to take place . These are :

    1. Bosnia & Herzegovina
    2. Monaco
    3. Luxembourg
    4. Andorra
    5. Turkey
    6. Slovakia
    7. Morocco

    Depsite the unfortunate cancellation of Eurovision 2020 the host city of Rotterdam has expressed its intention to go on with hosting the Eurovision Song Contest next year. Just recently, the City Coucil of Rotterdam passed the approval of the additional funding that is essential to host next year's contest.  However, an official confirmation is expected in the following months.