Paris 2021๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Italy will not participate in Junior Eurovision 2021

"This year we have adopted a very cautious policy on the presence of minors in television programs"

Following their withdrawal last year, the Italian broadcaster has confirmed that they will not be returning to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. They join a string of countries who will not be taking part in the contest this December. This marks the first time since 2016 that next year’s host of Eurovision has not gone on to compete in the edition of Junior Eurovision prior.

Policy change cited as reason behind non-participation

Speaking to Eurofestival News, Luca Milano, the Director of Rai Ragazzi, explained why Rai will not be participating in Junior Eurovision this year:

This year we have adopted a very cautious policy on the presence of minors in television programs (also with regard to our study programs which have only recently reopened, with very strict procedures, their doors to children).

Participation in an international event such as the JESC requires a long planning and preparation phase, which has started since spring and we have not started.

Collaboration with other European public services and with the EBU remains very important to us. We preferred to focus this year on other projects, such as the cycle of short documentaries EBU Kids Portraits or the European initiative “Say Hi” on friendship to be held in November, naturally awaiting the “Italian” edition of Eurovision 2022, to which the whole company is already devoting great attention.

Luca Milano, Director of Rai Ragazzi

Italy debuted at Junior Eurovision back in 2014, winning the contest with Vincenzo Cantiello’s ‘Tu primo grande amore’. They had participated in every edition between 2014 and 2019, before withdrawing last year due to the pandemic.

Junior Eurovision 2021 so far

Only days after Valentina’s win, the EBU were quick to confirm that we will be travelling to France for the 18th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The contest will take place on December 19th at La Seine Musicale. The slogan of the contest will be Imagine.

At this point, ten countries have confirmed to participate in the JESC edition of 2021. 

  • Ireland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Spain
  • Ukraine

It’s still early, so we expect more countries to participate. Stay tuned for more updates!

Are you disappointed that Italy won’t be returning to the Junior contest? 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 and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!

One Comment

  1. Italy better not close the door on Junior Eurovision altogether. It\’s up to the following countries to confirm participation in Paris.

    ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฑ Albania
    ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฒ Armenia
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece
    ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Kazakhstan
    ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡น Malta
    ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฐ North Macedonia
    ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia
    ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง United Kingdom

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