Estonia’s broadcaster ERR has revealed that Eesti Laul 2023 will be held in two separate venues. The semi-finals will be held in the Viimsi Artium. The final will then take place in the Tondiraba Ice Hall in Tallinn.
What we know about Eesti Laul 2023 so far
In previous editions, Eesti Laul semi-finals have been held in a different city to promote the show nationwide. In 2019 and 2020, the semi-finals were held at the University of Tartu’s sports hall. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the show was fully broadcast from the Saku Suurhall in Tallinn.
As a result, Eesti Laul 2023 is the first edition since the pandemic that is being held outside of the capital, Tallinn. This is also the first time since 2016 that the Saku Suurhall is not the host venue for the final of the competition. The Tondiraba Ice Hall is based in the east of Tallinn, with a capacity of just over 7,500.
In total, 20 songs will participate in Eesti Laul 2023. All competing songs will be revealed in December on a special show to be broadcast by ERR. The twenty competing acts were revealed on the light news programme Ringvaade, giving each artist the chance to prepare music videos ahead of the national selection. The two semi-finals will take place on January 12th and 14th, with the final taking place on February 11th.
Estonia’s Eurovision journey
Estonia has appeared at almost every Eurovision since their debut in 1994. They have won the contest once with Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL in 2001, singing Everybody. Other notable Estonian entrants include 3rd placer Sahlene with Runaway in 2002 and Ines with Once In A Lifetime in 2000, who placed 4th. More recently, their highest-placing entries have been Urban Symphony with Randajad in 2009 and Ott Lepland with Kuula in 2012, both of whom finished in 6th place. In 2022, they elected to send STEFAN through Eesti Laul to the contest with “Hope”. He successfully qualified for the final and finshed in 13th place with 141 points.
Estonia has used Eesti Laul to decide their competing entry every year since 2009. Before then, they used another national final format, Eurolaul, dating back to their first attempt at participation in 1993, where they failed to make it through the pre-qualifying round.
What do you make of ERR’s choices? Do you think Eesti Laul 2023 will live up to previous years? Who would you like to see represent Estonia in Liverpool in May? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare to cover the Eurovision 2023 national final season!
News Source: ERR
Photo Credit: Kadri Tamme
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