Following the joyous news that Italy has applied to the EBU and will return to the Eurovision family as of next year, other countries have been swift to confirm their participation in next year’s edition of Europe’s most beloved music show.
French broadcaster France 3 have confirmed their intention to take part, through Head of Delegation, Bruno Berberes. The French are staying very tight lipped about their future selection plans, only stating that their entry will be chosen by means of an internal selection and that there is the distinct possibility that some changes are to be introduced into their selection process for 2011/ 2012.
Russia is once again looking to maintain their reputation as one of the most succesful Eurovision countries of the past decade, with broadcaster Channel One confirming their return next year. Presently, few details are known about the Russian selection process, but a decision is apparently imminent as to whether they will opt for an internal or public selection.
Belarus is also another of the last countries to confirm participation next year. Speaking to ESCDaily, Elena Gomalinskaya of Belteleradio Company (BTRC) was eager to confirm their participation after the successful hosting of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk last month. Details surrounding their selection are also thin on the ground but are expected to be made known soon.
Moldovan broadcaster Teleradio Moldova (TRM) has also recently confirmed their participation in Düsseldorf, through Head of Delegation, Vitalie Cojocaru. Although awaiting official confirmation, the HoD has stated that there is a strong possibility of Moldova opting for a national final to find their entry for the 2011 contest.
All the countries mentioned were successful in making it to the final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, gaining 12th, 11th, 24th and 22nd positions respectively. Their confirmation therefore brings the total number of participating countries up to a respectable fourty, with the possibility of Montenegro, Hungary and San Marino to make their returns as well as the exciting prospect of a debut by Liechtenstein.
