Eurovision Choir is set to potentially return for its third edition this upcoming autumn following its hiatus.
Eurovision Choir 2023 Preparations Are Underway
Preparations for the biennial contest’s return are well underway with the announcement that LTV culture editor Ieva Rozentāle has been selected as the executive producer of the upcoming contest. Rozentāle’s appointment comes as she was revealed to have been elected the head of the TV Music Experts group for a two year term. This is one of a number of reference groups within the European Broadcasting Union that facilitates transcontinental co-operation in their particular area. Following Rozentāle’s selection she has since stated that a priority for the reference group is Eurovision Choir’s return this coming autumn. The contest has previously been axed in large part due to the pandemic. The original third edition was intended to take place in 2020.
Riga 2023
Details about the upcoming contest are not readily available at present. At this moment there have only been three confirmed countries for the third edition of Eurovision Choir. Latvia is set to host the contest again; neighbouring Lithuania are expected to make their debut; and Belgium is set to participate for the third time. While there have been no confirmed stances by any previously participating broadcasters opting to officially sit out of the third edition, two previous participating countries may be unable to compete.
As the BBC taking a more active role in Eurovision events outside of the Song Contest with its return to Junior Eurovision, there is doubt about the possibility of Wales or Scotland returning to the contest. Should the British national broadcaster wish to participate then its interest in the contest would supersede that of of any intended subnational participation. This would lock the two home nations out of the contest.
History Of Eurovision Choir
The biennial contest began in 2017 when the EBU announced a new edition to the Eurovision family. Previously called Eurovision Choir of the Year debuted with its inaugural contest in Riga, Latvia and featured nine countries performing an arrangement of music. Slovenia’s Carmen Manet choir won the contest singing a medley of ‘Aj, zelena je vsa gora’, ‘Adrca’, and ‘Ta na Solbici’. The second edition featured a slightly altered format. Ten countries participated in Gothenburg, Sweden. The top three (Latvia, Denmark, and Slovenia) participating in a second round with a new arrangement. Denmark’s Vocal Line ultimately won the contest. The winner of each year was decided by a single jury of three music professionals.
Information Source: Latvijas Televīzija
Image Source: EBU
Tim J