UA:PBC, along with STB has confirmed that Ukraine’s representative for Rotterdam will be selected on February 22. STB has already opened submissions for entries, and will close on December 25.
Hosts and Semi-Final dates have been confirmed
STB has confirmed that Sergey Prytula will be the host of Vidbir 2020. In addition, it’s been confirmed that Vidbir will consist of two Semi-Finals (February 8 and 15) and a Final (February 22).
The semi-final stage of the competition will consist of four to eight participants in each semi-final. The jury and the public will have a say as to which two to four of the participants in each semi-final will advance to the final.
During the Final of the competition, the jury and the public will once again select the winner of Vidbir, thus gaining the right to represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Changes to Vidbir rules have been confirmed
Ukraine were due to participate at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. Vidbir took place, with MARUV winning the competition. However, after win, it was announced that she was not confirmed as Ukraine’s participant. As both MARUV and UA:PBC were unable to come to an agreement, this resulted in Ukraine withdrawing from this year’s contest.
As the news of Vidbir’s return for 2020 was confirmed, a new rule has been included. The new rule states that artists who wish to take part in Vidbir shouldn’t have performed in Russia since March 15, 2014.
From now on the participant of the National selection can be a performer or a team that has not performed concert activity in the territory of the Russian Federation since 2014, does not plan or announce it during the competition and the Eurovision final, and also did not enter the territory of Crimea in violation of the legislation of Ukraine.
UA:PBC on the new rule for Vidbir 2020
Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest
Ukraine has competed in the contest 15 times, winning twice and regularly featuring in the top 10 – becoming a modern Eurovision powerhouse for songs and exceptional staging. To date, Ukraine remains one of a handful of participating countries who have always qualified for the final.
In 2018, Ukraine has chosen MELOVIN to represent them in Lisbon with his song ‘Under The Ladder’. He managed to bring the country to the Grand Final of the competition once again. MELOVIN managed to place 17th with 130 points.
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