The Russian national final for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 has been provisionally scheduled for June.
More details about the Russian selection process for Junior Eurovision 2018 have been released as the country looks to defend their title in Belarus. The national final has been provisionally scheduled to take place in June, with a specific date to be confirmed when the selection process is officially launched.
Russia confirmed that they would participate again in the competition, last month. As part of the confirmation of participation it was confirmed that changes will be made to the selection process, with details yet to be announced.
The 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: Junior Eurovision Russia
Russia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Accordion Russia debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2005 and has participated in the contest every year since. Russia won the contest for the first time in 2006 when they were represented by the Tolmachevy Twins with the song “Vesenniy jazz”, who scored a total of 154 points. Russia has never finished outside of the top 10 in their time at the contest, and have finished second twice, fourth four times and fifth once. Last year in Georgia, Russia won the contest for a second time represented by Polina Bogusevich and “Wings”
