As we near the expected deadline for nations to confirm participation in this November’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Portuguese broadcaster RTP has revealed that Portugal are “highly likely” to be participating in Poland on November 29.
Decision announced in “a few days”
In a statement to ESC Portugal, RTP explained that an official decision regarding Portugal’s participation in the 2020 Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be made in the “next few days”. In addition, the broadcaster added that the decision was “highly likely” to be made in favour of the country participating in the contest.
Encouraged by Salvador’s success
To date, Portugal has participated five times in Eurovision’s younger competition. Their initial run of participation was in 2006 and 2007, selecting their entries via Festival da Canção Junior, before withdrawing from 2008 onwards. Then, following the nation’s victory with Salvador Sobral in the adult contest, Portugal returned to Junior Eurovision with a new national selection, Júniores de Portugal, choosing Mariana Venâncio to perform “Youtuber”.
However, for both 2018 and 2019, RTP opted to choose their entry internally and it would be understandable to presume that RTP would adopt the same method to choose their 2020 entry should participation be officially confirmed in the coming days.
Aiming for the top 10?
To date, Portugal’s highest finish at Junior Eurovision came courtesy of Pedro Madeira and Mariana Venâncio who placed 14th in 2006 and 2017 respectively. Last year, Joana Almeida placed 16th with her inspirational midtempo track “Vem comigo (Come With Me)”.
So far, 13 nations have confirmed participation in the 2020 Junior Eurovision Song Contest including a debut from Germany. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Australia and Wales have withdrawn from the contest with hopes of returning in 2021.
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