As the deadline to apply for participation has now passed, more news regarding countries’ plans for Minsk emerge and Moldova’s broadcaster confirmed the country will not make a return to the contest. It is the fifth consecutive non-participation for the country.
Moldova in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Moldova debuted at Junior Eurovision back in 2010 when the contest was first held in Minsk. Stefan Roscovan was the first to fly Moldova’s flag at the contest with his entry “Ali Baba“. He eventually placed 8th with 54 points. They achieved their best result in Yerevan in 2011 with Lerika’s “No, no” coming 6th with 78 points. The country continued to participate every year until 2013, when it last participated. That year also saw Moldova’s worst result to date when they placed 11th out of 12 with 41 points.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018
Belarus’s capital Minsk will be the host of the 2018 edition of Junior Eurovision. This is the second time the event takes place in the city, who previously hosted it in 2010. The city was selected as host last year, before the 2017 edition of the show. So far, 14 countries have confirmed their intent of participating in Minsk, and they are:
- Armenia
- Belarus
- France
- FYR Macedonia
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Serbia
- Wales
France will return to the contest, having only participated once back in 2004, and Wales will instead make a debut.
At the moment two countries that participated to the contest last year (Albania and Australia) have yet to make a statement regarding their intentions for Minsk. On the other hand, two countries that participated last year, Cyprus and Ukraine, both confirmed their withdrawal from the competition.
Are you disappointed Moldova will not return to Junior Eurovision? What is your favorite entry from Moldova at the contest? Do you hope to see them back in the contest soon?