KAN has launched their search for the Israeli participant in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Minsk, Belarus.
The Israeli public broadcaster has made an open call for young singers to apply to represent Israel at Junior Eurovision 2018. The broadcaster is inviting singers between the ages of 9 and 14 years to submit their application to the broadcaster and be invited to take part in an auditions process.
KAN has not stated whether the auditions process will be used as part of a televised selection process or an internal selection. Israel has never previously held a televised selection process for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, instead opting to select both their participant and song internally. The applications window closes on the 19th of August.
Israel have previously taken part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on two occasions. On their debut in 2012, Kids.il came eighth with “Let the Music Win”. Israel then withdrew from the 2013 contest and did not return until 2016. On their return, the country was represented by Shir & Tim with “Follow My Heart”. The duo finished in fifteenth place.
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.
Twenty countries will take part in this years contest. These are:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Australia
- Azerbaijan – Returning nation
- Belarus
- France – Returning nation
- FYR Macedonia
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Israel – Returning nation
- Italy
- Kazakhstan – Debut
- Malta
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Serbia
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- Wales – Debut
Source: KAN