Eurovision 2016 – This week the EBU announced the official list of the countries that have applied to take part in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. As we know, last minute problems could occur but if all goes well we’ll have a massive 43 countries taking part.
One person who won’t be however is Zurab Alasania, NTU’s General Director for the past two years. He’s just quit as he says the recent budget cuts makes it impossible to deliver the contest and run the station for the year! It comes amidst claims of mass corruption in the country. His statement can be found here.
Hopefully the event will not be affected. Australia has been invited back again (no surprise there) so the 43 countries (currently) due to take part in Kyiv are:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Georgia
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- FYR Macedonia
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Welcome back Portugal and Romania!
The Eurovision Times 
Considering where the contest will be held some drama was to be expected. I wouldn’t be surprised if we got even more in the next months …
The plot tickens part I.
Ugh always something happens and we cannot get to 44..I am sorry that Bosnia has to miss out.
I want Slovakia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Luxembourg and Monaco and Turkey back!!!
43 is great number of participants indeed! Maybe next time we get even more countries to participate and some new ones also. We will going to have amazing and exciting eurovision season again! I just can’t wait and see every selections and the contest in may! I would like to wish great eurovision year for everyone! :) http://jake.suntuubi.com/
I would love it if ESC could hit that magic 44. I doubt Luxembourg nor Slovakia will return any time soon nor Andorra or Monaco for sure. B& H are the best bet whilst Turkey keeps on sulking (sorry Mermaid). We can but live in hope for it one day…..