What could Eurovision 2017 look like?

Elliot Harris examines what we know already about Eurovision 2017...

Eurovision 2016 happened nearly two weeks ago, and already lots is happening in preparations and conformations leading into Eurovision 2017. Of course we know the contest will be held in Ukraine following Jamala’s victory.

As of May 25th 2016, 15 countries have confirmed they will be participating or very likely competing in Eurovision 2017, stand outs on the list include Bulgaria, who seem intent on a return after the success of their comeback year. Poli Genova guided them to fourth in the grand final after a two-year absence from the contest and Portugal, who withdrew from Stockholm 2016 due to poor results and “to rework and improve their selection process”

Estonia, Finland, Hungary and Sweden have all confirmed their participation and began working on plans for their national selections also, which will remain the same as previous ears – Eesti Laul, UMK, A Dal and Melodifestivalen respectively. Norway have also confirmed they will be back in 2017 after failing to qualify for the final for the first time since 2011 with Agnete and Icebreaker.

Estonia will be back after their last place finish in Stockholm

Although not confirmed it is looking a Croatia will be returning to the contest, following the success of Nina Krajlic and her efforts taking them back to the final for the first time since 2009, it is also heavily rumoured they’ll be internally selecting their act the same way as they selected Nina, hand picking The Voice: Croatia winner again like with Nina, if this is to be believed it is looking as it will be Series 2 winner Ruza Janjis will be flying the Croatian flag in Ukraine, although no official confirmation has made by HRT at this current moment of time. 

Ireland and Switzerland, despite having poor runs of form in the semi finals off late have also had their head broadcasters confirm their return. Ireland have failed to qualify for the final the last three times, last qualifying in Malmo 2013 where Ryan Dolan then placed last in the final and Switzerland only qualifying for the final twice in the last ten contests, coming dead last in their semi finals the last two attempts with Melanie Rene & Rykka.

Big Five nations France, Germany and Spain have all confirmed they will be returning to the contest, it was another disappointing year for Spain and Germany as Barei and Jamie-Lee finished 22nd and 26th respectively in the Grand Final, with NDR announcing with their participation conformation “More work and focus has to be directed on the song” France on the other hand enjoyed a fantastic result, placing 6th in the final and just four points off a top five finish, their highest placing in the contest since 2002.

France enjoyed a fantastic Eurovision result in Sweden this year

On the flip side, mircrostate Andorra have announced they have no intention of participating in Ukraine only really saying it is not logistically possible but failing to go into any specific reasons for this reasoning, Andorra last made an appearance in Eurovision back in 2009 and failed to make an final in six attempts. 

Montenegro have also hinted at a possible withdrawal from Eurovision2017 on social media. The announcement came via Facebook after the EBU released a statement saying Jamala has not gained an unfair advantage despite 1944 being performed at an small event prior to the contest or its announcement in the Ukranian selection, the song at the time was titled “Us Crimea” when translated into English. 

Eurovision powerhouse Russia are currently on the fence and debating their involvement in Eurovision 2017 with it being hosted in Ukraine. This is due to ongoing disputes first and foremost between Russia and Ukraine and The Crimea region, to which has led to war since 2014 between the nations. Also Russia had complained about Jamala’s entry “1944” wich highlighted the deportation of thousands of Ukrainians out of The Crimea region under Joseph Stalin’s ruling, one of whom was Jamala’s grandmother, Russian ministers had complained the song was politically charged and an attack on Russia and an attempt to tarnish the nations name, however this complain and dispute was thrown out by the EBU and the song was allowed to compete in original form with no adaptation to the song of lyrics. Also, on the morning of the jury Grand Final, NTU publically announced they would not be competing at Eurovision 2017 if Russia and Sergey Lazarev had won, so would Russia withdraw out of retaliation and spite? It is currently unknown. No countries who have competed in Eurovision 2016 have officially withdrawn from Eurovision 2017 at this present time.

Will Russia withdraw next year?

Australia, despite their own contest spin-off, Asiavision, have apparently been discussing details about a return in 2017, this is heavily due to be believed because of their second place finish in Stockholm. However, for Australia to be able to participate they require an invitation from the head delegation, NTU.

We could see a country debuting in Eurovision 2017 – Kosovo. The nation which declared it’s independence from Serbia back in 2008 has contacted the EBU about participation in the forthcoming contest and that the broadcaster RTK had been invited to the Eurovision Committee and whether they participate is solely on the decision of Kosovo, this has sparked questions of Serbia’s stance in the contest if Kosovo are to compete due to the friction between nations, but in recent months Kosovo have also become a member of UEFA and FIFA, making the nation eligible to play in World Cup and European Championship qualifier matches in the future it’s only a matter of time before the nation joins Eurovision.

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