It’s official – the Eurovision Song Contest will return to Rotterdam in 2021!
This year’s planned show was cancelled back in March due to the ongoing health crisis.
The 65th Eurovision Song Contest was announced on Saturday during Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light, a special show which aired in place of this year’s final.
Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s new Executive Supervisor, said: “We are extremely happy that we can now move forward. It’s vitally important that the Eurovision Song Contest returns next year, and we’re pleased to have the necessary commitment from our Members in the Netherlands to bring this much-loved show back to audiences across the world.
“I firmly believe that all of us involved in the Eurovision Song Contest will stand united through challenges and change to bring the Contest back stronger than ever, ensuring its longevity for decades to come.”
“Now more than ever it is important that we, as a public broadcaster, are committed to continuing this European tradition and are organizing a great event that people can look forward to during these difficult times. We will do everything in our power to arrange a very special Contest,” commented NPO Chairman, Shula Rijxman.
Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event, added: “Our team is proud and excited to look forward with renewed energy to organize a fantastic Eurovision Song Contest in 2021. Yes, with a sense of realism that fits with the times we live in, but also with ambition and creativity. We are looking forward to working with the entire Eurovision family to make it happen.”
So far a total of 18 acts have been confirmed for Eurovision 2021 with the latest being Destiny (Malta), Samanta Tīna (Latvia), Senhit (San Marino) and Ana Soklič (Slovenia).
As yet the United Kingdom has not revealed its plans for next year.
The European Broadcasting Union previously announced that participants are welcome to return, with the EBU leaving it up to each broadcaster to decide who they want to represent them in 2021.
This year’s planned entry James Newman recently said he hopes to return next year.
He told The Sun newspaper: “I’m a firm believer in visualising what you want to achieve in life so I was imagining myself standing on stage winning, because you’ve got to. It felt like there was a lot of positivity around it.
“I started something and I really want to finish it. I was on such a journey. If I got the opportunity to go next year I would love to”
For now, you can watch the latest Eurovision specials on BBC iPlayer here.
More on: Eurovision 2024
