Eurovision 2020: The contest so far or “The Good EurovisionFun’s Calendar”
With 160 days left for the biggest celebration of music, less than half a year, the interest in the entire european continent begins to peak. It also contributes to this, in addition to breaking the 12-month mark as we are already halfway through, the fact that as December is moving forward,the first national final,that of Albania is going to take place which means that we can officially talk about the beginning of the key processes: artist and song!
Across the European continent, the participating countries and their public broadcasters are preparing feverishly for the finding of the best act and the most impressive appearance in general.
ESC 2020, as is well known, will take place on 11-16 May 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands with the two semifinals taking place on 12 and 14 May,respectively and the grand final on Saturday 16 May at Ahoy Stadium. We also recently learned about this year’s Euroclub venue, which will be Maassilo. Our slogan for this year is “Open Up” and this year’s logo is as below:
In addition, the first pictures of the stage were released as well as details of its construction and the event’s setting up while the creative team that will lift the burden of this year’s semi-finals and grand final was announced. The stage was designed by Florian Wieder and the composition of the creative team is as follows:
- Eric van Tijn– Musical Director
- Gerald van Windt – Choreographer
- Natasja Lammers– Choreographer
- Sietse Bakker-Head of Show
- Twan van Nieuwenhuijzen–Head of Contest
- Marnix Kaart– Show Director
- Marc Pos– Show Director
- Florian Wieder- Designer
-Participating countries
Although the deadline for broadcasters’ submitting applications – substantially, countries – has expired in October, EBU only in mid of November, released the official list of participating countries. So, 41 countries,will parade on Ahoy’s stage this year and more specifically, :
- Albania (RTSH)
- Armenia (AMPTV)
- Australia (SBS)
- Austria (ORF)
- Azerbaijan (ICTIMAI)
- Belarus (BTRC)
- Belgium (VRT)
- Bulgaria (BNT)
- Croatia (HRT)
- Cyprus (CYBC)
- Czech Rep. (CT)
- Denmark (DR)
- Estonia (ERR)
- Finland (YLE)
- France (FT)
- Germany (ARD/NDR)
- Georgia (GPB)
- Greece (ERT)
- Ireland (RUV)
- Iceland (RTE)
- Israel (IPBC/KAN)
- Italy (RAI)
- Latvia (LTV)
- Lithuania (LRT)
- Malta (PBS)
- Moldova (TRM)
- Netherlands (AVROTROS)
- North Macedonia (MKRTV)
- Norway (NRK)
- Poland (TVP)
- Portugal (RTP)
- Romania (TVR)
- Russia (Channel One)
- San Marino (RTV)
- Serbia (RTS)
- Slovenia (RTVSLO)
- Spain (TVE)
- Sweden (SVT)
- Switzerland (SRG SSR)
- Ukraine (UA:PBC)
- United Kingdom (BBC)
Together with us in Rotterdam this year there will be two countries abducted last year (Bulgaria and Ukraine), while we will not see two others (Hungary and Montenegro) which travelled traveling to Tel Aviv last year.
Of these, 35 will split and compete in the two semifinals, with only ten of each semifinal qualifying for the grand final where they will meet the host countries and the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom),as they qualify directly to the final. So in total we will see 26 countries claiming the grand prize.
Artist and song: The crucial choice
As time goes on, the key question, of course, that concerns all Eurofans across Europe is “who and what”! Who will represent each country and with what song? There are basically two options for this choice: internal selection (by the broadcaster) and national final (which includes active public participation). There is no EBU rule for this choice, and each country is free to choose, without necessarily having a regular method.
In view of the above, let’s have a look in detail at the information available to us so that each of the 41 participating countries will choose to participate this year*:
| NATIONAL FINAL | DIRECT ASSIGNMENT | NO INFORMATION |
| ALBANIA | AUSTRIA | AZERBAIJAN |
| ARMENIA | BELGIUM | BELARUS |
| AUSTRALIA | BULGARIA | NORTH MACEDONIA |
| CROATIA | CYPRUS | POLAND |
| DENMARK | GERMANY | SAN MARINO |
| ESTONIA | IRELAND | |
| FINLAND | MOLDOVA | |
| FRANCE** | SWITZERLAND | |
| GEORGIA | GREECE | |
| ICELAND | NETHERLANDS | |
| ISRAEL | SPAIN | |
| ITALY*** | United Kingdom | |
| LATVIA | CZECH REP. (on-line voting) | |
| LITHUANIA | RUSSIA | |
| MALTA | ||
| NORWAY | ||
| PORTUGAL | ||
| ROMANIA | ||
| SERBIA | ||
| SLOVENIA | ||
| UKRAINE | ||
| SWEDEN |
So, it seems from the above table that:
-22 countries will hold national final
-14 will select internally and
– for 5 more we have no data
* Of course, it should be noted here that the above data can at any time change and some countries may change the designation for this year’s selection.
**France used the national final “Eurovision Destination” last year to select its representative and it looks like it will do the same this year. However, the information we receive from France 2 is ambiguous and there is a high likelihood of making an internal selection this year.
***Italy uses for the selection of its representative the famous San Remo festival, which is also the ancestor of ESC, but it is not compulsory the winner of this festival to represent the country in Eurovision as well.
To date, the artists we know are:
-Spain: Blas Cantó
-Belgium: Hooverphonic
-Cyprus: Sandro Nicolas
-Bulgaria: Victoria Georgieva
In the last hours, there are also rumors that Austria will choose Vincent Bueno.
Save the dates!!!!
But let’s look in detail now, especially as since December we are getting into full Eurovsion mood, the key dates by country regarding the selection procedures for this year’s contestants, so as not to miss any critical developments for your beloved country and our beloved contest.
Let’s start with the the countries that will choose through a national final:
1.Albania: 22 December- Final Fik 58 (traditionally, the first country with a national final which decides)
2.Armenia: 31 December- End of entries submission at “Depi Evratesil”
3.Australia: 8 February- Final “Eurovision: Australia Decides”
4.Croatia: 29 February- Final “Dora”
5.Denmark: 7 MArch- Final “DMGP” (Dansk Melodi Grand Prix)
6.Estonia: 13 & 15 February-Semifinals “Eesti laul”
29 February-Final “Eesti Laul”
7.Finland: 21 January-Finalists announcement, UMK 2020 (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu)
9 March- Final UMK 2020
8.Georgia: Final “Georgian Idol” in late December (if the last year’s nine-week format will be followed)
9. Iceland: January-Announcement of 10 finalists, Söngvakeppnin 2020
8 & 15 Februatry-Semifinals öngvakeppnin 2020
29 February-Final Söngvakeppnin 2020
10.Israel: HaKokhav HaBa L’Eurovizion (Rising Star) is already being aired but no date for Final announced
11.Italy: 4 February-10 first Campioni present their entries at San Remo Festival
5 February- 10 next Campioni present their entries at San Remo Festival
6 February-Cover night for all 20 Campioni
7 February-2η Cover night
8 February-Final San Remo Festival
12.Latvia: 8 February-Final “Supernova 2020”
13. Lithuania: 8 December-End of entries submissions at Eurovizijos Atranka 2020
14. Malta: 8 February-Final “X Factor 2020”
15. Norway: 11 January- 1st Semi final “Melodi Grand Prix 2020”
18 January- 2nd Semi final “Melodi Grand Prix”
23 January- 3rd Semi final “Melodi Grand Prix”
1 February- 4th Semi final “Melodi Grand Prix”
8 February- 5th Semi final “Melodi Grand Prix”
15 February- Final “Melodi Grand Prix”
16. Portugal: 22 & 29 February- Semifinals Festival da Canção 2020
7 March- Final Festival da Canção 2020
17. Serbia: 9 December- End of entries submissions at Beovizija 2020
18. Sweden: 1 February- 1st Semifinal Melodifestivalen
8 February- 2nd Semifinal Melodifestivalen
15 February- 3rd Semifinal Melodifestivalen
22 February- 4th Semifinal Melodifestivalen
29 February- Second Chance Melodifestivalen
7 March- Final Melodifestivalen
19. Ukraine: 22 February- Final Vidbir
So far,we have no information on the course of their national finals from France, Romania and Slovenia.
As far as the countries that will internally select, we have the artist only from Belgium, Spain, Bulgaria and Cyprus.
The “good EurovisionFun” calendar!
| MONTH | DAY | COUNTRY | EVENT |
| DECEMBER | 9 | Albania | Song release Festivali i Këngës |
| 19 | Albania | 1st show Festivali i Këngës | |
| 20 | Albania | 2nd show Festivali i Këngës | |
| 22 | Albania | Final Festivali i Këngës | |
| JANUARY | 6 | Czech Rep. | Artists announcement for the internal selection |
| 11 | Norway | 1st show Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 13 | Czech Rep. | Songs release for the internal selection | |
| 18 | Norway | 2nd show Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 21 | Finland | Artists announcement for UMK 2020 | |
| 25 | Norway | 3rd show Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 28 | ESC 2020 | Tel Aviv Delivery Ceremony in Rotterdam | |
| 28 | ESC 2020 | Semifinals Draw | |
| FEBRUARY | 1 | Sweden | Α΄Semifinal Melodifestivalen |
| 1 | Norway | 4th show Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 4 | Italy | 1st show San Remo Festival | |
| 5 | Italy | 2nd show San Remo Festival | |
| 6 | Italy | 3rd show San Remo Festival | |
| 7 | Italy | 4th show San Remo Festival | |
| 8 | Australia | Final Eurovision: Australia Decides | |
| 8 | Sweden | Β΄Semifinal Melodifestivalen | |
| 8 | Norway | 5th show Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 8 | Iceland | 1st Semifinal Söngvakeppnin | |
| 8 | Ukraine | 1st Semifinal Vidbir 2020 | |
| 8 | Malta | Final X factor 2020 | |
| 8 | Italy | Final San Remo Festival | |
| 8 | Latvia | Final Supernova 2020 | |
| 13 | Estonia | Α΄ Semifinal Eesti Laul 2020 | |
| 15 | Sweden | 3rd show Melodifestivalen | |
| 15 | Estonia | Β΄ Semifinal Eesti Laul 2020 | |
| 15 | Iceland | 2nd Semifinal Söngvakeppnin | |
| 15 | Ukraine | 2nd Semifinal Vidbir 2020 | |
| 15 | Norway | Τελικος Melodi Grand Prix | |
| 22 | Sweden | 4th show Melodifestivalen | |
| 22 | Portugal | Α΄ Semifinal Festival da Canção 2020 | |
| 22 | Ukraine | Final Vidbir 2020 | |
| 29 | Sweden | “Second Chance” Melodifestivalen | |
| 29 | Portugal | Β΄ Semifinal Festival da Canção 2020 | |
| 29 | Croatia | Final Dora 2020 | |
| 29 | Estonia | Final Eesti Laul 2020 | |
| 29 | Iceland | Final Söngvakeppnin 2020 | |
| MARCH | 7 | Denmark | Final Melodi Grand Prix 2020 |
| 7 | Sweden | Final Melodifestivalen 2020 | |
| 7 | Portugal | Final Festival da Canção 2020 | |
| 7 | Finland | Final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2020 | |
| 9 | ESC 2020 | End of deadline for songs submissions | |
| 9 | ESC 2020 | Head of delegation Meeting | |
| APRIL | 4 | ESC 2020 | Eurovision in Concert, Amsterdam |
| 10 | ESC 2020 | Eurovision Pre-Party, Madrid | |
| 27-16\5 | ESC 2020 | Stand-in Rehearsals | |
| MAY | 10 | ESC 2020 | Red Carpet Show |
| 12 | ESC 2020 | A΄ Semifinal ESC 2020 | |
| 14 | ESC 2020 | B’ Semifinal ESC 2020 | |
| 16 | ESC 2020 | Final ESC 2020 |
Meantime, Eurovision 2020 Committee in Rotterdam unveiled on Wednesday the three hosts of the shows, the presenters of the two semifinals and the grand final which are: Edsilia Rombley, Chantal Jansen and Jan Smit.
Finally, regarding the heads of national delegations, we should note here that we still have no information on the issue except from three resignations, that of Czech Jan Bors,Italian Nicola Caligiore and French Steven Clerima,with two of them having already been replaced (Czech Rep-Cyril Hirsch and France-Alexandra Redde). Also, the German Head of delegation had been replaced after his retirement and Alexandra Wolfslast took his place. Also, the first Meeting of the Referrence Group has taken place on November 11-12, with two more meetings already scheduled for January 27 and March 8.
As far as the tickets concern, the first of three waves of tickets for the 65th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will begin on Thursday, December 12th, 12:00 pm CET. The 2nd and 3rd wave will take place in late January and mid March respectively. Exact dates are expected to be announced at later time. Read all the details about the ticket HERE.
So slowly starting our long journey to Rotterdam, the situation is shaped as follows:
COUNTRY |
ARTIST |
SONG |
SELECTION METHOD |
| Albania (RTSH) | National Final | ||
| Armenia (AMPTV) | National Final | ||
| Australia (SBS) | National Final | ||
| Austria (ORF) | Internal Selection | ||
| Azerbaijan (ICTIMAI) | ? | ||
| Belarus (BTRC) | ? | ||
| Belgium (VRT) | Hooverphonic | Internal Selection | |
| Bulgaria (BNT) | Victoria Georgieva | Internal Selection | |
| Croatia (HRT) | National Final | ||
| Cyprus (CYBC) | Sandro Nicolas | Internal Selection | |
| Czech Rep. (CT) | On line voting | ||
| Denmark (DR) | National Final | ||
| Estonia (ERR) | National Final | ||
| Finland (YLE) | National Final | ||
| France (FT) | National Final? | ||
| Germany (ARD/NDR) | Internal Selection | ||
| Georgia (GPB) | National Final | ||
| Greece (ERT) | Internal Selection | ||
| Iceland (RUV) | National Final | ||
| Ireland (RTE) | Internal Selection | ||
| Israel (IPBC/KAN) | National Final | ||
| Italy (RAI) | National Final (?) | ||
| Latvia (LTV) | National Final | ||
| Lithuania (LRT) | National Final | ||
| Malta (PBS) | National Final | ||
| Moldova (TRM) | Internal Selection | ||
| Netherlands (AVROTROS) | Internal Selection | ||
| North Macedonia (MKRTV) | Internal Selection | ||
| Norway (NRK) | National Final | ||
| Poland (TVP) | ? | ||
| Portugal (RTP) | National Final | ||
| Romania (TVR) | National Final (?)
“Selectia Nationala 2020″ |
||
| Russia (Channel One) | Internal Selection | ||
| San Marino (RTV) | ? | ||
| Serbia (RTS) | National Final | ||
| Slovenia (RTVSLO) | National Final | ||
| Spain (TVE) | Blas Cantó | Internal Selection | |
| Sweden (SVT) | National Final | ||
| Switzerland (SRG SSR) | Internal Selection | ||
| Ukraine (UA:PBC) | National Final | ||
| United Kingdom (BBC) | Internal Selection |
Keep this table and watch it filling in !!!
That’s for now!!! Stay tuned for all the latest developments in each country but generally for our favorite Contest as well as for all the updates in the above information in order no to miss ANYTHING!
Photo: Martin Meissner
Photo: Andreas Papagiannakis
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