🇮🇹 Italy will not be participating in the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest

As time progresses, more and more countries reveal if whether or not they will be participating in the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Another country that will not be participating is reigning Eurovision champions Italy, who won the main competition in May 2021 with Måneskin and the song “Zitti E Buoni”

Italy’s non-participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will see them miss the competition for a second consecutive year. Their latest participation was in 2019 when the competition was being held in Gliwice-Silesia.

A cautious approach on the presence of minors in television

Speaking to Eurofestival News, the director of Rai Ragazzi Luca Milano mentioned that a cautious approach has been taken in 2021. This, along with the planning required to participate are the reasons why the country is not participating:

I can confirm that Rai will not participate in the 2021 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.This year we have adopted a very cautious policy on the presence of minors in television programs (also with regard to our study programs which have only recently reopened, with very strict procedures, their doors to children).Participation in an international event such as the JESC requires a long planning and preparation phase, which has started since spring and we have not started.Collaboration with other European public services and with the EBU remains very important to us. We preferred to focus this year on other projects, such as the cycle of short documentaries EBU Kids Portraits or the European initiative “Say Hi” on friendship to be held in November, naturally awaiting the “Italian” edition of Eurovision. 2022 to which the whole company is already devoting great attention.

Luca Milano on Italy’s non participation at the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest (translated)

What we currently know about the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest

After winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2020, it wasn’t long until it was revealed that the winning host nation; France, will be hosting the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. In May 2021, it was revealed that Paris will be hosting this year’s competition in La Seine Musicale on December 19.

At the time of writing, the following countries have confirmed their participation in this year’s competition

• France – Host Nation
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ireland
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Russia
• Ukraine

Italy’s Junior Eurovision Journey

In 2014, Italy made its debut in the competition with Vincenzo Cantiello, and the song “Tu primo grande amore”, where it managed to win the competition. Since their debut, Italy has managed to participate in the competition a total of six times. Their recent participation was in 2019, with Marta Viola and “La voce della terra” which placed 7th, recieving 129 point from the jury and the online vote.

Are you disappointed that Italy will not be participating in this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest? Would you like them to return to the competition in the future? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. Don’t forget to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ over at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

News Source: Eurofestival News

Photo Source: EBU / Thomas Hanses