#JESC18: Who Was Lucky Number 19?

By escppeurovision on July 26, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

As many of you will know, there is a rule enforcing a maximum limit of eighteen participating nations at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest every year – but the eagle eyed amongst you will already know by now, that there is nineteen participating nations in Minsk.

So who was the lucky nineteenth country and how did they get to participate? Our friends over at Eurovoix did a bit of investigating and found out the answer to those very questions.

Israel and their broadcaster KAN, took the nineteenth spot – one would assume their return is based on winning this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Israel’s participation was allowed after an agreement with BTRC, the Belarusian broadcaster and the European Broadcasting Union.

Whether this special dispensation in 2018 will open the door for a larger Contest from 2019 onwards is yet to be seen.

Israel last took part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest when it took place in Valletta, Malta, in 2016. Shir & Tim represented their country with “Follow My Heart”, finishing in 15th place and a total of 27 points.