Alekseev will represent Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon after winning Eurofest 2018 with the song “Forever”.
Ten artists competed for the chance to represent Belarus at tonight’s Eurofest 2018 show, live from Minsk. These were tonight’s acts, and the points they received (televote + jury):
- Alekseev – “Forever” – 24 (12 + 12)
- Gunesh – “I Will Not Cry” – 14 (6 + 8)
- Shuma – “Hmarki” – 14 (10 + 4)
- Kirill Hood – “Deja Vu” – 13 (8 + 5)
- Napoli – “Chasing rushes” – 13 (7 + 6)
- Anastasia Malashkevich – “World on Fire” – 12 (5 + 7)
- Radio wave – “Subway Lines” – 12 (2 + 10)
- Lexy Weaver – “Ain’t You” – 7 (3 + 4)
- ALEN HIT – “I Do Not Care” – 6 (4 + 2)
- Agagio – “You and I” – 2 (1 + 1)
The results were decided by both a jury vote and a televote, each of which contributed 50% of the result.
This year’s Eurofest guest performers included Naviband, last year’s Eurovision representatives from Belarus. Joining Naviband are participants from last year’s national selection and those from this years audition round: Violetta Baginskaya, Angelina Pipper, Ivan Zdonyuk, Angelica Pushnova, Elizaveta Muravieva, July, Michael Soul, and trio Beatrice.
The show was hosted by Teo, who represented Belarus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, as well as TV presenter Olga Ryzhikova.
Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest
Belarus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 and has made it to the final on four occasions. For the past two years, Belarus has failed to make it through to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Their most recent entrant, IVAN, finished in 12th place in his semi-final and was 21 points away from qualification. Belarus’ best result in the contest came in 2007 when Dmitry Koldun finished 6th in the final with a total of 145 points. In total Belarus has qualified for the Eurovision final five times in fourteen attempts.