FAQ – “How can I participate in the Eurovision Song Contest” is by far the most asked question we get via e-mail. Young songwriters and musicians (probably mistaking us for an official Eurovision site) always want to know which steps to take to have their song performed on the Eurovision stage. First of all, the Eurovision Song Contest does not work like a casting show, such as “The Voice” or “Idol”. It is much more complex. You can not submit an application at the EBU (European Broadcasting Union, organizer of the competition) and be selected. Each country is in charge of their own national selection. Almost each country has a different way to chose their entry, the UK and France chose their entries internally in recent years, while Germany and Slovenia held a casting show to find a performer. Other countries have “traditional” national selections, where different artists enter their songs and compete for the national ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest.
What you need to do as a songwriter, if you want to represent your own country, is to find out which selection format your national broadcaster (or the broadcaster in charge of Eurovision) has chosen. If they have an open selection, you may submit your song and can then hope to be chosen.
You also have the option to enter your song into the national selection of another country. However, some countries require songwriters to be a national of that country, (or at least one of the songwriters has to be). Other countries such as Malta, Switzerland and Moldova also allow foreign songwriters. The problem is that many broadcasters change their national selections and the rules almost yearly. You thus need to find out which selections will be open to foreign songwriters and composers.
Most frequently, the deadline to submit entries to the national broadcasters is between September and December. Look out for news on our blog, we will publish calls for songs including the respective rules as soon as they are published.
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I would love to participate in national selection. I write songs myself and one reason I like Eurovision is that this is one event I can at least dream about of taking a part. The music I write is kind of trashy freak show and I don’t sing well. But I don’t care. To be honest I strongly dislike singers who try to come across as uber-professional and academic. Pavel Turcu is my hero, need I say more?
I’m living in the United States and in here musical values are very opposite from what I am about. It’s all about “she sings well, therefore she will be a star, I know for sure” kind of thing. And of course, it never comes true, mediocrity stays mediocre. Eurovision, on the other hand, is all about childish fun and discovery of new artists, new voices and letting regular people decide.
My plan A for Eurovision 2013 is to send a song (or maybe two songs) to Latvian selection Eirodziesma. Or maybe I would send it to Russia because the song is in Russian and Latvia for political reasons may not want to send a song in Russian to Malmo. My plan B would be joining OGAE and participating in Home composed contest. I heard some songwriters started there.
I would be very interested to read more information in regards to participation on Eurovision, I think that would be an interesting topic for many.
I really wish I could partecipate! I sing in a decent way and I’ve written a catchy song in eurovision-style. Of course i have to wait a bit as im only 15 ^-^ I would like to compete for Israel (my home country) or Italy (where I’ve been living for ages) even if I know it’s very unlikely as you’ve got to compete in Sanremo Festival, which is a very hard competition.
Maybe you can do Newcomers… Giovanni or something like that
I want to represent my country, Cyprus but the problem is i live in the UK and it isn’t convenient for me to live in Cyprus at the moment. i guess i will have to wait a bit longer…
Oh, I’m so jealous for you, having the Talent to write own Songs:(
I have to go on with my German Versions of ESC-Songs, until I find a Writer;D
I wouldn’t dare, taking Part for another Country than my own, I’m not afraid of exotic Languages…I can sing in 14 & try Lithuanian at the Moment:D
PS: Do People in your Countries like Singers with Accents from Abroad? Germans are big Fans of that, but I never heard an Opinion from Abroad…
So good Luck, maybe I will see 1 of you in TV 1 Day:)