Finland’s highly popular pre-selection show UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu) is due to take place Febuary 25. This is where we will find out who will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. YLE, the Finish broadcaster, has released a teaser video featuring snippets of this year’s entries.
Snippets of the seven entries due to compete in UMK 2023 have been released via a video on the selection’s official Instagram page.
Head of the UMK jury, Tapio Hakanen, previously gave fans a little hint of what to expect:
The seven finalists include familiar faces and new, up-and-coming talents. We have, among others, the best dance song in UMK history sung by an unbelievably strong new singer, a song that just oozes sexuality by a well-known artist, a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad by one of Finland’s biggest export hopefuls, well-known and up-and-coming bands, and one of the strongest rap bangers in UMK history.
Tapio Hakanen
We won’t have long to wait for further details, as the names of the participating artists will be announced on January 11. From January 12, a new entry will be released per weekday, with the last entry being released on January 20.
The televised show will take place in the Finnish city of Turku, where cultural venue Logomo will host the exciting fans coming to support their favourite acts. The tickets have already been sold out, after only being on sale for a day.
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Making their Eurovision debut in 1961 with the entry “Valoa Ikkunassa” by Laila Kinnunen, Finland hasn’t always had the best time at the contest. Finland didn’t have a smooth start at Eurovision, placing last three times in the 1960s. Marion Rung was Finland’s first success, placing 6th in 1973 with “Tom Tom Tom” – this remained as Finland’s best result until 2006.
Before the turn of the millennium, Finland placed last a further five times while they placed in the top ten on only three occasions. Finland’s fortunes finally changed however in 2006 when Lordi won the contest in Athens with “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – marking Finland’s only win and only top 5 result.
During the semi-finals era, Finland has qualified for the final on nine occasions. The Rasmus became the second Finnish act in a row to qualify for the final with “Jezebel”. In the final, the group placed in 21st place with 38 points.
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