Following a petition with sufficient support submitted to The Senedd, entitled ‘Prepare a bid for Wales to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest’, the EBU, the European Broadcasting Union have responded why Welsh participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is currently not possible.

Bakel Walden, the Head of the Reference Group for the Eurovision Song Contest, had the following to say in a letter sent to The Senedd:

“Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, and other Eurovision live events, is limited to public broadcasters which are members of the European Broadcasting Union.

While S4C in Wales is a valued member of the EBU and has taken part twice in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and once in Eurovision Choir, the BBC has taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1957 and represents the whole of the United Kingdom at the event.

As the BBC continues to participate, and remains the rights holder in the United Kingdom, this means an entry from the individual nations of the UK is therefore not possible at the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Let us know what you think about Wales and the Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix