Recently EBU representatives met with Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2022 host broadcaster, Armenian Public Television in Yerevan. Today the EBU confirmed the contest will take place in the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concerts Complex. In the capital of Yerevan, Armenia on Sunday December 11.
Yerevan to host JESC 2022
On February 12, an EBU delegation met with ARMTV in Yerevan to begin preparations for the 20th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.
As part of the visit, the EBU delegation visited potential venues, including the Karen Demirchyan Complex in Yerevan. Previously this venue hosted the 2011 contest. During a cabinet meeting of the Armenian government, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced this years’ contest would indeed take place at the Karen Demirchyan Complex. Along with confirmation the government had allocated funds to prepare for the event.
Today the EBU and ARMTV confirmed the news officially, as well as announcing that once more the contest will be held in December. This time on Sunday December 11.
It is an honour to host the 20th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Yerevan – one of the most ancient and iconic cities in the world. We are excited to work together with the EBU and our partners from public service media across Europe to create an unforgettable journey for our young talents and a state of the art television show for millions of viewers all over the globe. We will spare no effort to make sure that we create magic for the young participants and viewers, and we look forward to welcoming you all to Yerevan later this year.
Hovhannes Movsisyan, (CEO ARMTV)
Junior Eurovision 2022 so far
According to the report, ARMTV are planning for at least 18 participating countries in total. The 2021 edition featured 19 participating countries, reaching a total of 33 million viewers.
So far, the following countries have confirmed their intention to participate:
- Armenia (host)
- Bulgaria
- France
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Spain
Although Russia had previously confirmed their intention to participate, the exclusion of Russia from Eurovision 2022 and the suspension of EBU membership, leaves their Junior Eurovision future in question.
Armenia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Since their debut in 2007, Armenia have participated in the junior edition 14 times. Overall they are one of the most successful nations, having never placed lower than 9th. During this time the Caucasus nation has won the contest on two occasions. Firstly in 2010 with Vladimir Arzumanyan and ‘Mama‘, which received 120 points.
Last year it was the turn of Maléna with ‘Qami Qami’. After Armenia announced their shock return following their withdrawal in 2020, Maléna headed to Paris as one of the favourites. During a dramatic voting sequence, Armenia won once more with 224 points.
Armenia’s cool, classy and contemporary winning song set a new standard for Junior Eurovision, and we’ve no doubt that excellence will be reflected in the quality of show AMPTV are producing in this special anniversary year. We look forward to working with our colleagues in Armenia, and can’t wait for them to showcase the unparalleled enthusiasm and passion that we know Yerevan has for Junior Eurovision.
Martin Österdahl, (Executive Supervisor Junior Eurovision Song Contest)
Are you looking forward to Armenia hosting Junior Eurovision 2022? 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! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 contest in Turin!
