The simple answer is yes, Belarus will #LightUp Minsk because they are hosting it! Full details on why they were chosen to become this year’s Host City can be found here.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the past participating nations at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and if they haven’t already confirmed participation in Minsk, what are the chances of them appearing.

Belarus debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2003 – one of the original sixteen debuting nations and just one of two to have participated at every Contest, the other been The Netherlands. In Copenhagen, Volha Satsiuk took to the stage with Belarus’ debut entry, “Tantsuy”. Volha finished in 4th place with 103 points.

Video: YouTube/JESCTV 2003

Belarus have won the Contest twice back in 2005 and 2007. In 2005, Ksenia Sitnik performed “My vmeste”, taking victory with a total of 149 points. In 2007, Alexey Zhigalkovich performed “S druz’yami”, taking victory with a total of 137 points.

Video: YouTube/EBU

Details of this year’s National Selection process can be found here via Eurovoix.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovision Ireland