Shortly after Belarus was confirmed to be the 17th confirmed country to be participating in this year’s Junior Eurovision, we have another confirmation. Italy’s RAI have now confirmed their participation ahead of this year’s Junior Contest, making them the 18th confirmed country in the contest so far.
Today, Italian broadcaster RAI have confirmed to Eurovoix that they will be participating at this year’s Junior Eurovision. This year therefore marks their sixth consecutive participation at the Junior contest. They join fellow Big Five members France and Spain in confirming their participation. The latter are making a much-awaited return to the contest.
Although it is unknown exactly how Italy plan to select their song and artist for the contest, we can assume it will be an internal-selection. RAI have internally-selected both their songs and acts for the contest since their debut.
Italy’s participation marks the 18th confirmation ahead of this year’s contest. This also leaves Azerbaijan as the only participating contest from the 2018 contest to not confirm their participation or withdraw from the contest, excluding Kazakhstan.
Junior Eurovision 2019
This year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the Gliwice Arena, Poland, on the 24th November 2019. It marks the first time Poland will host a music-based Eurovision event! Last year, Roksana Węgiel brought Poland its first Eurovision-adjacent win with “Anyone I Want To Be”.
So far, the following nineteen countries have confirmed their intention to participate:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Belarus
- France
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan*
- Malta
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Serbia
- Spain
- Ukraine
- Wales
* Although Kazakhstan have stated their intention to participate in the contest, they must be invited by the host broadcaster in order to participate.
Italy at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Italy debuted at Junior Eurovision back in 2014, at the 12th edition of the contest, hosted in Valletta. RAI internally-selected Vincenzo Cantiello and the song “Tu primo grande amore” to represent them. The song won the contest with 159 points. This made Italy the first country to win the contest with their debut entry since Croatia’s win at the inaugural contest in 2003.
Italy have since participated in every edition since 2014, making 2019 their six consecutive participation. In addition to their first place finish, Italy returned to the podium in 2016, finishing 3rd with Fiamma Boccia and “Cara Mamma (Dear Mom)”.
Last year, Melissa & Marco were internally-selected by RAI to sing “What Is Love”, which was written by Beppe Vessacchio. This marked the first time Italy had sent a boy/girl duet to the contest. The duo finished in 7th place with 151 points.
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