Tel Aviv 2019

Ukraine confirms intent to participate in 2019

With a new Eurovision season officially here, more countries being to reveal plans for Israel. Ukraine’s broadcaster (UA:PBC) confirmed to our friends at Eurovoix they intend to participate in Israel. 

16th participation at the contest

Although the broadcaster has yet to submit the necessary paperwork to participate, they indeed confirmed to Eurovoix they intend to do so. This will be Ukraine’s sixteenth participation at the contest, having debuted in 2003.  So far, the broadcaster has yet to reveal further details on how they intend to select their entrant for Israel. In recent years, UA:PBC collaborated with private broadcaster STB to organize the selection. STB funds the national final and the staging at the contest while UA:PBC pays for the fees associated with participation.

Eurovision Song Contest 2019

The 2019 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place next May in Israel, following Netta Barzilai’s victory with her catchy entry “Toy“. Currently, the host city is not yet known. Recently. EBU’s Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand and other EBU representatives visited Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Eliat the three cities in the run to host the show. We should know the decision of the Reference Group in the next few weeks. So far, 22 countries have either confirmed participation or intent to participate. Unfortunately, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Monaco all confirmed their non-participation. So far, no country that participated in 2018 expressed intention to withdraw.

Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest

Ukraine made their Eurovision debut back in 2003. The first to fly the country’s flag at the contest was Oleksandr Ponomariov who finished 14th with his entry “Hasta la vista“. Despite the underwhelming start, Ukraine didn’t have to wait long to achieve good results. In fact, in 2004 Ruslana triumphed in Istanbul with her charismatic entry “Wild Dances“. Ukraine also won the contest in 2016 with Jamala and her entry “1944“. Besides their two victories, Ukraine also placed second twice in 2007 and 2008 and third in 2013. Furthermore, Ukraine is one of the two countries that has a 100% qualification record for the final. In 2018, Melovin represented Ukraine with his entry “Under the ladder“. He finished in 17th place with 130 points.

Are you happy Ukraine intends to participate in Israel? Who would you like to see represent Ukraine next May? What is your favourite Ukrainian entry so far?

Let us know in the comment section below or on all social media @ESCXTRA. 

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