The submission window for the Bulgarian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 has closed.
202 songs were submitted to the selection. This is the highest number of songs ever submitted for a Bulgarian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The previous record was set in 2006, when 135 songs were submitted to the national selection. 13 projects were considered for the Eurovision, a slight increase on last year’s 12 projects. The initial deadline was extended to December 29, in order for some projects to be further improved upon.
Across the 13 finalised projects, nine different producers are involved. Five teams contain both Bulgarian and international members. Three international artists are involved in the selection, one of which has previous experience at the Eurovision Song Contest. Two of the Bulgarian artists have previously represented their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. One is returning as part of a group, while the other is a main vocalist. All of the projects are in English.
The song and artist are expected to be chosen by January 31 and be revealed on March 12. These dates may change in the coming months.
Bulgaria debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 and has gone on to compete in a further eleven editions of the contest. Before their return to the competition in 2016, Bulgaria had only once managed to reach the final. In 2007 Elitsa & Stoyan finished 5th in the final with the song “Water”. Bulgaria continued to compete in the contest until 2013, when the broadcaster withdrew due to financial issues.
Since their return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, BNT has opted for internal selections focusing on artists and producers able to partially fund their participation in the contest. This saw Bulgaria qualify for the final in both 2016 and 2017. With Kristian Kostov finishing second this year in Kyiv with the song “Beautiful Mess”. Kristian returned to Bulgaria as a hero and was widely praised for bringing Bulgaria their best result ever.
Source: eurovision-bulgaria.tv
Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest
At the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, 17-year-old Kristian Kostov finished in second place in the Grand Final, bringing Bulgaria their best ever result. 2017 saw Bulgaria make only their third final in their Eurovision history, the first being in 2007 when Elitsa & Stoyan finished 5th with the song “Water”. Bulgaria debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine in 2005. The country competed annually from 2005 to 2013, before withdrawing for two years due to financial issues.
