Portugal’s Eurovision 2022 journey has begun as the songwriters for the upcoming edition of Festival da Canção are revealed.
It’s what you write that counts
Kicking the selection off, national public broadcaster RTP announced the songwriters involved in the upcoming competition – a typical tradition, with artists and songs being released at a later date.
Twenty songs will compete in Festival da Canção 2022. Sixteen of the songwriters were invited by RTP to contribute a song to the competition. The remaining four were chosen through an open call for submissions by the broadcaster.
The sixteen songwriters internally selected by RTP are:
- Agir
- Aurea
- Blacci
- Cubita
- DJ Marfox
- FF
- Fábia Rebordão
- Fado Bicha
- Joana Espadinha
- Kumpania Algazarra
- Maro
- Norton
- Os Azeitonas
- PZ
- Syro
- Valas
In addition to these, the four songwriters winning a spot through the open call are:
- Pedro Marques
- Pepperoni Passion
- The Mister Driver
- Tiago Nogueira (Os Quatro e Meia)
Keeping the status quo
RTP announced that they had received 600 submissions for its 2022 edition. Festival da Canção 2022 will see 20 songs compete in two semi-finals.
From the semi-finals, ten songs will advance to the final where a jury and the Portuguese public decide the winner. Following this, the winning song will represent Portugal in Turin.
Portugal in Eurovision
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with António Calvário’s “Oração” in 1964. Since then, Portugal has participated in the competition 52 times – appearing the final 43 times. Their only win in the competition came in 2017 with Salvador Sobral, performing his heart-wrenching song “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Portugal’s most recent participation was with The Black Mamba with the song “Love Is On My Side” – the first song Portugal sent in the English language. The Black Mamba managed to qualify for the Grand Final finishing 12th, after receiving 153 points from the jury and the televote.
Are you looking forward to Festival da Canção next year? Also, who would you like to see singing for Portugal in Italy? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: RTP
Photo Credit: RTP
Tim J 
That Eurovision Site
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