Eurovision 2021: ESC 2020 acts or new selected hopefuls? The map of confirmed countries and artists

Following the Eurovision 2020 cancellation and the EBU’s decision not to allow this year’s entries to compete in the 2021 edition, the countries have started revealing whether they will continue with the same ESC 2020 acts next year or select a new representative. 

Once the Eurovision song contest was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak the question that came up was what will happen with this year’s acts that didn’t eventually have the chance to perform on stage in Rotterdam their Eurovision entries. The EBU through a clear statement excluded the ESC 2020 songs ,by not allowing the same entries for 2021 but leaving to the broadcasters to decide whether they will return with the same acts or not.

The decision was accepted by broadcasters and acts with mixed feelings. However some nations out of the 41 countries that were to participate in this year’s contest have already confirmed their participation and there act or the format that will determine next year’s representative.

Therefore the Eurovision 2021 puzzle of competing acts and countries for Eurovision 2021 has so far as following:

CONFIRMED COUNTRIES AND INTERNALLY SELECTED ACTS

So far a total of 18 countries have confirmed their Eurovision 2021 participation and the comeback of the ESC 2020 acts .These are:

1. Spain– Blas Canto
2. The Netherlands– Jeangu Macrooy
3. Ukraine– GO_A Band
4. Greece– Stefania
5. Georgia– Tornike Kipiani
6. Azerbaijan– Samira Efendi
7. Switzerland–Gjon’s Tears
8. Belgium– Hooverphonic
9. Bulgaria– Victoria
10. Israel – Eden Alene
11. Austria – Vincent Bueno
12. Romania – Roxen
13. Australia – Montaigne
14. Czech Republic – Benny Cristo
15. Malta – Destiny Chukunyere
16. Latvia – Samanta Tina
17. Slovenia – Ana Soklič
18. San Marino – Senhit

CONFIRMED COUNTRIES – NEW NATIONAL SELECTIONS

So far 7 countries have confirmed that they will be competing in Eurovision 2021 but with new selected acts. Estonia has confirmed that it will select a new Eurovision representaitve via Eesti Laul 2021 and gave to Uku Suviste a direct pass to the semi finals, while Sweden will be selecting its ESC 2021 act through the Melodifestivalen 2021 format. The same have chosen Norway, Finland , Lithuania and Denmark. Recently Cyprus confirmed that the nation will be selecting a new act for ESC 2021.

1. Sweden– Melodifestivalen
   
2. Estonia– Eesti Laul
3. Norway – Grand Prix 2021
4. Finland – UMK 2021
5. Lithuania – Pabandom Iš Naujo 2021
6. Denmark – Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021
7. Cyprus: NS formula and act to be determined

CONFIRMED COUNTRIES / ACT or SELECTION TO BE DETERMINED.

Croatia has confimred its ESC 2021 participation but the national broadcaster, HRT, hasn’t confirmed whether it will continue with Kedzo Damir or go to a new national selection. The Irish broadcaster, RTE, has confirmed its Eurovision 2021 without yet revealing its intention regarding the act.

1. Croatia 
2. Ireland

COUNTRIES NOT TO TAKE PART NEXT YEAR

1. Andorra 

COUNTRIES WITHOUT ANY DECISION YET.

1. Albania
2. Armenia
3. Belarus
4. France
5. Germany
6. Iceland
7. Italy
8. Moldova
9. North Macedonia
10. Poland
11. Portugal
12. Serbia
13. Russia
14. United Kingdom

THE ABSENT COUNTRIES 

Meanwhile a number of countries that have been absent the latest yeats haven’t yet confirmed a possible return or not. Among them Hungary and Montenegro that have been absent only the last year and seem more closer to a decision of returning.

1. Hungary
2.  Montenegro

On the other hand there’s a list of countries that have taken the path of absence the last years and their return seems less likely to take place . These are :

1. Bosnia & Herzegovina
2. Monaco
3. Luxembourg
4. Turkey
5. Slovakia
6. Morocco

On May 16 the EBU announced that the contest will return to Rotterdam for next year’s edition. More information on the dates and details on Eurovision 2021 will be unveiled in the following weeks and months.