RÚV has just confirmed what we suspected; not just one but two of the songs in the Söngvakeppnin 2020 final will be performed in Icelandic! There was never a doubt that DIMMA was going to sing in Icelandic. However, today RÚV announced that Iva’s Oculis Videre is also staying in Icelandic.
Oculis Videre in Icelandic
Originally the songwriters, Iva herself and Richard Cameron, had planned to use the English lyrics in the final. However, they decided to listen to the opinion of the many fans who wanted it to stay in Icelandic. They contacted RÚV yesterday with the request to perform in Icelancid, and RÚV okayed it.
Success in Icelandic
It seems that after Hatari’s success last year people are realizing that singing in Icelandic might actually not be such a bad idea after all. In the years since the lifting of the language rule, the Icelandic entry has only been performed in the national language on two occasions. The first was in 2013, when Eyþór Ingi performed “Ég á líf”, finishing 17th, and of course Hatari’s wonderful 10th place in Tel Aviv.
The Söngvakepnin 2020 final
The final of Söngvakeppnin 202 takes place in Laugardalshöll on Saturday 29 February. The running order is as follows;
- Meet Me Halfway – Ísold og Helga
- Think About Things – Daði og Gagnamagnið
- Echo – Nína
- Oculis Videre – Iva
- Almyrkvi – DIMMA
Interval acts
It has become a bit of a tradition to have foreign guests performing in the Söngvakeppnin final, and this year is no exception. Last year’s fan favorites from Norway, Keiino, will perform during the final. So will Hatari, so even though this is a five song final, there will be more music in Laugardalshöll!
What do you think of the decission to keep Oculis Videre in Icelandic? And wht is your favorite to win the Icelandic ticket to Rotterdam? Let us know on social media @escxtra
