Belarus: National final confirmed and the jury vote returns

Belarusian broadcaster BTRC have recently confirmed details of how they will select their entry for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. For the sixth year in a row, Belarus will be using their national final Eurofest. Therefore interested parties can now apply to take part in the selection. The deadline for applications is 22nd November. A round of auditions will then take place before the end of November and, as in previous years, these will be streamed live online for fans to enjoy – or not!
The national final itself is due to take place “before 25th January“, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed. Up to fifteen acts will take part in the televised final, the exact number will depend on the quality of submissions. The competition isn’t restricted to just Belarusian citizens. Consequently, artists and composers from all over the world can attempt to represent Belarus in Eurovision 2017. A key rule change is that the jury is returning after last year’s competition was decided by 100% televoting. This led to some controversies, so BTRC will be hoping that a 50% jury/televoting split will give the fairest result possible.

Who could be taking part?

Alyona Lanskaya, who represented Belarus in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, has already stated her intention to take part in the 2017 Belarusian national selection. Back in July, she told Belarusian website kp.by that she was already preparing to participate in the upcoming competition, and that her song had already been made. Alyona’s 16th place in Eurovision 2013 remains Belarus’ joint second best ever finish. This is alongside Teo who finished in the same position one year later. Nevertheless, Koldun remains their most successful entrant whose entry Work Your Magic finished in 6th place in 2007. However, overall Belarus have struggled to succeed at Eurovision. Of their 13 times entering the contest, only four have made the grand final.

Are you looking forward to Eurofest 2017? Do you think Alyona Lanskaya will be amongst the finalists? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments below!