RTP are to reveal the format of Festival da Canção 2017 soon as the country returns to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one year absence.
RTP has informed ESC Portugal that the format for Festival da Canção will be revealed soon, the broadcaster is currently working on the final details of next years contest. According to reports from the Portuguese website a number of singers and songwriters are already working on their submissions for next years contest, all hoping they will make it to Kyiv, Ukraine.
Festival da Canção was first held in 1964 and has been used to select every Portuguese entrant in the contest since their debut. The last time the contest was held was in 2015 when Leonor Andrade was selected with the song “Há um mar que nos separa”. The 2015 two semi finals were held with a total of 12 songs competing to represent Portugal in Vienna, Austria.
A total of 43 countries are to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Returning to the Eurovision stage are Portugal and Romania who both took a year out from the contest. Bosnia & Herzegovina has however withdrawn from the contest due to financial difficulties at the national broadcaster, BHRT. The 62nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is being held on the following dates:
- Semi Final 1 – 9 May
- Semi Final 2 – 11 May
- Final – 13 May
Source: ESC Portugal
[tw-accordion class=””] [tw-accordion-section title=”Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest”] Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 represented by António Calvário, the country finished last scoring nul points. To date the best result of Portugal in the contest is 6th place. This 6th place came in 1996 when Lúcia Moniz performed “O meu coração não tem cor” on stage in Oslo, Norway. She scored 92 points receiving 12 points from both Norway and Cyprus. Since their debut in 1964 Portugal has missed a total of five contests, the latest being in 2016.[/tw-accordion-section] [/tw-accordion]
