With about 177 days to go, we will be heading to Yerevan, Armenia for the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which will be the 20th edition of the competition. This will also mark the second time that Armenia will be hosting the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Armenia’s hosting of the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, comes after they achieved their second win in the contest, with Maléna and the song “Qami Qami“, with her entry emerging victorious after emerging victorious at the top of the scoreboard.
When and where is it taking place?
Shortly after winning the 2021 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU and ARMTV have revealed that Armenia will be hosting the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
Since then, it was revealed in April 2022, that “Yerevan” will be hosting the 20th edition of the competition, which will take place on December 11, 2022, at the Karen Demirchyan Complex, which can accommodate up to 8,000 spectators. This will be the second time the venue will host the competition, with the first being in 2011.
Who is due to participate?
At the time of writing, 10 countries have confirmed that they will be participating, and how they will be selecting their representative for this year’s contest.
- Armenia (Host Country) – It is yet to be confirmed how Armenia will select its representative.
- Bulgaria – It is yet to be confirmed how Bulgaria will select its representative.
- France – It is yet to be confirmed how France will select its representative.
- Georgia – The latest season of Ranina started in April, with the selection due to conclude on June 18.
- Ireland – TG4 has opened submissions of artists for Junior Eurovision 2022. However, they are yet to confirm the format of their selection.
- Netherlands – Junior Songfestival will once again be used to select their representative, with the final due to take place on September 24.
- North Macedonia – It is yet to be confirmed how North Macedonia will select its representative.
- Poland – It is yet to be confirmed how Poland will select its representative.
- Portugal – It is yet to be confirmed how Portugal will select its representative.
- Spain – Spain’s Head of Delegation Eva Mora has confirmed that the search for the next Spanish representative has commenced.
In addition to the above, Khabar Agency has confirmed its intention to participate. Whether this will come to fruition will be based on whether they will be invited by the EBU.
Who will we not see in Paris?
The following countries will not be participating/debuting, with this the reason for their non-participation are as follows:
- Estonia – ERR confirmed to ESCPlus.es that they are not able to participate due to financial limitations. However, they did not close the door to future participation.
- Finland – YLE confirmed to Eurofestivales that their non-participation as they did not “want to create new child stars or feel comfortable with children competing in these types of shows.”
- Israel – KAN confirmed to Eurofestivales that their non-participation is due to their preference of focusing on Eurovision.
- Montenegro – RTCG confirmed to Eurofestivales that their non-participation is due to financial limitations and preference of focusing on Eurovision.
- Slovenia – Despite initially considering a return to the competition, RTVSLO confirmed to Evrovizija.com as it was not provided in their Program-Production Plan for 2022.
The following countries have mentioned they will not be debuting/returning to the competition without any explanation.
In addition to the above, this will be the first year Russia will not be participating in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest when the EBU suspended its membership in May 2022. This will also be the second edition that Belarus will miss due to the suspension of its membership in May 2021.
Countries whose participation is unsure
The following countries have previously participated in the competition. However, their participation in the upcoming edition of the competition is yet to be confirmed.
- Albania – RTSH is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Azerbaijan – After a two-year break Azerbaijan returned to the competition in 2021. With Armenia hosting the competition in 2022, it is unsure if they will be competing. Azeri delegation member Eldar Rasulov mentioned that Azerbaijan “must participate and work for a better result” no matter where the competition takes place.
- Australia – 2019 was the last year Australia participated in the competition. ABC has confirmed to ESCPlus.es that they will not be participating. However, Australia could still participate through SBS if they are invited by the EBU.
- Belgium – VRT has confirmed to ESCPlus.es their non-participation. However, RTBF is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Croatia – HRT is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Cyprus – CyBC is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Germany – Despite improving on its result in 2021, Germany is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Greece – ERT is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Iceland – RUV sent a delegation to the 2021 contest and aired the contest with a two-hour delay. Despite their non-participation, their airing of the 2021 competition scored a 96% share.
- Italy – RAI is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Malta – TVM is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Serbia – RTS is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom – BBC and ITV is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
- Ukraine – UA:PBC is yet to comment on participation in the 2022 contest.
Are you looking forward to this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest? Who do you want to participate in this year’s competition? Will you be heading to Yerevan? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. Don’t forget to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News Source: Various Sources
Photo Credit: EBU
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