Estonian public broadcaster ERR has revealed a dramatic change to the structure of its national final for the Eurovision Song Contest – Eesti Laul.
On several Instagram stories and posts, ERR disclosed that there will be an introduction of quarter-finals to the competition. This also has meant that the number of songs vying to represent Estonia in Italy next year has increased from 24 to 40. The rules were formally confirmed by Tomi Rahula, producer of the national selection.
Balancing the structure
Four quarter-finals will take place from the 20th of November to the 11th of December, with 10 songs in each quarter-final. Five songs will make it through each quarter-final, eliminating half of the competing entries. Three of the qualifying entries will be decided through the televote, while two will be chosen by juries.
After this, we return to the typical Eesti Laul format; two semi-finals will take place on the 3rd and 5th of February respectively. Five songs will again qualify from each semi-final, leaving 10 songs in contention to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Rectifying history
Artists who wish to participate in Eesti Laul have from today (September 2) until October 20 to send in their song. The song must not be publicly available before October 20 or will be disqualified.
Estonia is hoping to score their second win at the Contest after a checkered run of results in recent years. Despite scoring three top 10 results in the past ten years, Estonia has also failed to qualify four times.
Estonia last won the Contest in 2001 with Tanel Padar, Dave Benton, and 2XL and their hit “Everybody”. Benton made Eurovision history by becoming the first person of color to win the Contest.
Uku Suviste represented Estonia in Rotterdam for the 2021 Contest. At the close of voting, Uku finished in 13th place, putting him out of contention to qualify for the final.
Are you looking forward to next year’s Eesti Laul? Who do you want to participate in Estonia’s national selection? Could we be heading to Tallinn in 2023? As always, let us know what you think in the comments below or on social media. Don’t forget to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ over at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News Source: ERR
Photo Source: ERR
Tim J 
That Eurovision Site
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