Sweden: Melodifestivalen 2021 will determine the next Eurovision act
Following the Eurovision 2020 cancellation Sweden has cleared that the Eurovision 2021 will be determined again through Melodifestivalen 2021. Thus the Mamas won’t automatically represent the country in ESC 2021 .
Christer Bjorkman, Sweden’s Head of Delegation commenting on the cancellation stated:
Given the circumstances, it is an understandable and wise decision. At the same time, it is very sad for all the artists who won’t get the chance to compete.
Talking about the Swedish representatives, The Mamas , he said
Of course, I feel a lot more with The Mamas who can’t stand on the Eurovision stage. In addition, it is very unfortunate that a 64-year-old tradition is now broken.
Further on Bjorkman seaid that The Mamas cannot directly represent Sweden in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, since EBU rules require all songs participating not to have been released before September 1,2020. Thus The Mamas cannot represent the country with their current song and the next Eurovision representative will be selceted via Melodifestivalen 2021.
Av Christer Björkmans uttalande framgår att The Mamas tyvärr inte kommer att stå på Eurovisionscenen. 😟 EBU:s regler säger att en låt som är släppt så här tidigt inte får tävla nästa år. Om möjligt kommer säkert #Melfest 2021 att hållas som vanligt.
— Melodifestivalen (@SVTmelfest) March 18, 2020
The Mamas’ reaction
The Mamas writes in an e-mail to the Culture News that they have received the message with sadness, while at the same time respecting the decision:
“Of course, we are incredibly sorry on a personal level that we and our song are now not allowed to compete in the world’s largest music competition. We looked so much forward to being able to represent Sweden with Move. We hope that people continue to listen to our song with the message that we can move mountains together, something that feels extra relevant today when everyone has to take responsibility and do the right thing. Our thoughts also go to the organizer of ESC who worked hard in the headwind.”
The Mamas had won Melodifestivalen 2020 with their song “Move” successing John Lundvik on the Eurovision Song Contest stage for Sweden.
Source: Svt.se
