RTP: 43 countries will participate in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest

This afternoon, the latest episode of A Voz do Cidadão (The Citizens’ Voice) was broadcast on RTP1. The show was dedicated to the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. During the show, several details surrounding next year’s contest were revealed. Perhaps most importantly, the Portuguese head of delegation revealed that 43 countries would participate in Lisbon next May!

43 countries heading to Lisbon

In the last few minutes, escportugal.pt has summarised the key points that arose from this afternoon’s edition of A Voz do Cidadão. Indeed, they explain that the Portuguese head of delegation “stressed” that there would be the “presence of 43 countries in Lisbon”. While the official 2018 participation list has yet to be unveiled, we imagine that the 43 will consist of the 42 competing nations in Kyiv plus the return of Russia.

“The cheapest Eurovision in recent years”

In regards to the financial side of the contest, RTP’s programme director Daniel Deusdado stated the following (translated from escportugal.pt):
“The administration has said that it will try to make the cheapest Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. It has also has been said that the budget for the programme schedules in 2018 will not be affected by the Eurovision. The team is determined to manage this balance. Eurovision as a body brings 5 million euros of revenue. Tthe budget will only be finalized at the end of the year.”

Postcards to be recorded “around Portugal”

Furthermore, Daniel explained that “delegations will record the postcards in several places around Portugal”. The initiative will be led by the Portuguese Tourism board.
In addition, assistant executive producer of the event, Carla Bugalho, explained that the process is still in a “preparatory phase”. The organisers are “in a resource identification phase” in terms of suppliers and contracts for the event.
Are you pleased that it seems 43 countries are heading to Lisbon? Let us know in the comments below!