On May 25th, Kazakhstan’s state broadcaster, Khabar Agency, announced that the Central Asian nation intends to participate in the 2022 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, to be hosted December 11th in Yerevan, Armenia.
As an associate member of the European Broadcasting Union, Kazakhstan is unable to confirm their participation for the competition unilaterally. Similarly to the early years of Australia’s participation in the adult version of the contest, Kazakhstan’s participation in Junior Eurovision has to be approved on a year-by-year basis by the EBU. This has been done every year since the country’s debut in JESC in 2018.
In an official statement by Khabar TV International Distribution and Cooperation Directorate, Daniyar Tussupbekov, he confirmed Kazakhstan’s intent to compete this December, stating that “[we] have big plans for this edition of Junior Eurovision and we will be delighted to participate. We will make an official announcement as soon as the contest Steering Group approves our participation.”
Kazakhstan in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Despite not being allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest proper, Kazakhstan, an associate member of the EBU, has been granted permission to participate in Junior Eurovision. The country debuted in 2018 when singer and eventual America’s Got Talent finalist Daneliya Tuleshova represented Kazakhstan with the song “Òzińe sen,” placing sixth out of 20 with 171 points.
Kazakhstan followed this up with two second place finishes in a row: in 2019 with “Armanyńnan qalma” by Yerzhan Maksim and in 2020 with “Forever” by Karakat Bashanova. Their most recent participation was last year in 2021, when they sent Alinur Khamzin and Beknur Zhanibekuly and their song “Ertegı älemı (Fairy World).” They finished 8th out of 19 with 121 points.
Are you excited to see Kazakhstan return to Junior Eurovision? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
