Junior Eurovision’18: Steering Group Travel to Minsk

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest Steering Group have traveled to Minsk alongside Jon Ola Sand to visit the city for the first time.

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest Steering Group has traveled to Belarus as they receive their first update regarding preparations for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Minsk, Belarus.

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest Steering Group are the governing body of the contest, helping to guide the format of the contest and its hosting. On the group are representatives of the following broadcasters:

• BTRC – Belarus
• GPB – Georgia
• RAI – Italy
• AVROTROS – Netherlands
• RTR – Russia
• PBS – Malta

Alongside the Steering Group, the Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand attended the meetings. Also present were Gert Kark, Gordon Bonello and Thomas Niedermayer (Digame).

At the meetings which were hold at the Presidential Hotel the attendees discussed Belarus’ plans for this years contest. This included agreements that the Presidential Hotel would be the delegation hotel for Minsk as well as the location of the Euroclub. Discussions regarding the format of the contest also took place.

Jon Ola Sand stated;

In a few weeks, we will begin to announce a lot of news related to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which will be associated with graphics, branding of the show, logo and slogan. We will also soon announce the exact date of the contest.

It was also confirmed that BTRC will bring in international expertise to aide with hosting the competition. While a number of key roles will be held by individuals from the Belarusian national broadcaster, a tender will be put out to find appropriate individuals for certain roles to do with the production of the competition.

Jon Ola Sand will return later in the Spring to visit Belarus again to discuss preparations for the competition. While the Steering Group will meet in June in Geneva to receive a further update about the contest.

he 2018 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Minsk, Belarus after the country won the bidding process before the 2017 contest even began. Olga Salamankha explained that Belarus was selected as the host for next years contest over other bids due to their long-term commitment to the competition. Belarus is one of a handful of countries to consistently hold a televised selection process to select their participants. Furthermore, the stability of Belarus as a nation was cited as a factor.

The first time Belarus held a Eurovision event was at the 2010 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where it was held in Minsk Arena.

To date the following countries have confirmed their participation in the contest:

• Belarus – Host nation
• Georgia
• The Netherlands
• Russia
• Poland
• Portugal

Source: BTRC