Danish broadcaster DR have confirmed to Eurofestivales that they will not be returning to Junior Eurovision this year. The 2020 contest is set to be held in Poland this November.
Denmark last took part in Junior Eurovision in the 2005 contest, held in Hasselt, Belgium. The broadcaster withdrew from the contest due to, among other reasons, too much pressure being placed upon the junior singers.
Out for the 15th time in a row!
Despite Denmark’s successful results during their three appearances at the junior contest, DR remains out of the contest for the 15th consecutive time. The Danish capital city hosted the first ever contest back in 2003, where Denmark placed 5th. They went on to score another 5th place finish in 2004 and did one better in 2005, finishing 4th.
In 2018, the EBU reportedly called upon DR to return to the contest. However, Jan Lagermand Lundme – the entertainment manager for DR1 – refused the EBU’s invitation, stating that:
The values that we put in Denmark in a children’s programme do not coincide with the values of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. It seems that children are on stage and playing adults instead of acting like children… Children must be children, they should not try to strive to be something they are not.
– Jan Lagermand Lundme, DR1 Entertainment Manager
Denmark at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
In 2003, Anne Gadegaard became the first Danish entrant at the Junior Eurovision with her song “Arabiens drøm”. Gaining 93 points in total, Denmark finished 5th on their debut. The nation finished 5th again in 2004 with Cool Kids, and 4th in 2005 with Nicolai Kielstrup.
In 2006, Denmark announced they would not return to the junior contest and would instead continue to take part in MGP Nordic alongside Sweden’s SVT and Norway’s NRK. Finland also debuted at MGP Nordic in 2007. The final edition of MGP Nordic took place in November 2009, and was won by Sweden. No Danish broadcaster has shown an interest in returning to the contest.
Are you sad that Denmark will not return to Junior Eurovision this year? Do you think other Nordic broadcasters should return?
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