Radio Television Portugal RTP, the public broadcasting entity in Portugal, has just revealed they are opting for their traditional national selection contest, Festival Da Canção, in order to select who will be flying the Portuguese colors in Kiev!
Last time the contest took place was in 2015 when Leonor Andrade won and took over the Portuguese representation at the contest from Suzy and went on to the 2nd semifinal in Vienna.
Two semifinals will be held on the 19th and 26th of February respectively where 16 composers have been approached to write songs for singers, who will be eligible to be selected by the songwriters themselves. For the first time, the entries are not only required to be performed in Portuguese but the language which they consider that may fit their song better. The final line-up will be announced in January as well as the allocation draw for each of the acts. The entries must meet EBU’s yearly requirements as known.
The grand final of this year’s contest will be held on the 5th of March and will commemorate the 60 years anniversary of the public broadcaster.
The list of composers selected by RTP looks as it follows:
- Luísa Sobral
- Márcia
- Rita Redshoes
- David Santos (Noiserv)
- Celina da Piedade
- Samuel Úria
- Nuno Gonçalves (The Gift)
- Pedro Silva Martins (Deolinda)
- Tóli César Machado (GNR)
- João Pedro Coimbra (Mesa)
- Nuno Figueiredo (Virgem Suta)
- Pedro Saraiva (Sir Aiva/D.R. Sax)
- Nuno Feist
- Jorge Fernando
- João Só
- Héber Marques
The Portuguese audience at home with their calls and sms’ in conjunction 50/50 with a professional jury divided into 7 regions and islands of the Portuguese geography will decide who will succeed Leonor Andrade’s footsteps on the biggest stage in Europe! This also applies the voting method for the semifinals.
Stay tuned for more details!