When it comes to the adult contest in May, we all know the countries with a record of success. Sweden, Ireland, and the United Kingdom lead the way with the most wins, but would you be as confident listing the nations that have taken home the Junior Eurovision crown more than anyone else?
Since the contest first appeared on our screens in 2003, a total of forty countries have competed at least once – but it’s a far more exclusive club that can claim to have won the competition.
So far eleven different countries have seen an artist return home from the competition victorious, with Poland going for an unprecedented three-in-a-row in Warsaw.
I don’t even know how to put it into words, I can’t believe I’ve won.
Viki Gabor, JESC 2019 winner
A third win would make them the competition’s most successful nation, joint with Georgia. The mountainous country on the fringes of Asia returned winners in 2008, 2011, and 2016, with Mariam Mamadashvili their most recent winner in Valetta’s Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Fellow Eastern bloc countries Russia and Belarus come next with two wins apiece (in 2006 and 2017 for Russia, and 2005 and 2007 for Belarus), but the winner’s circle isn’t solely reserved for the previous Soviet nations.
Malta can claim Western Europe’s most successful record with two wins themselves, including the country’s Eurovision 2020 and 2021 participant, Destiny. “Not My Soul” won the 2015 competition in Sofia, Bulgaria, eventually finishing with an impressive 185 points.
Armenia, Croatia, Spain, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Italy hold one win each, meaning four countries could still leave Warsaw with their debut win.
Kazakhstan has impressed since their debut in 2018, while France, Serbia, and first-time entrants Germany are also looking for their first victory.
Who will take home the trophy this year? Only time will tell.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020
This year’s edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will take place on Sunday 29th November in Warsaw, Poland. Twelve acts will participate, including Germany who will make their debut this year. The running order is as follows:
- Germany – Susan – “Stronger With You”
- Kazakhstan – Karakat Bashanova – “Forever”
- Netherlands – Unity – “Best Friends”
- Serbia – Petar Aničić – “Heartbeat”
- Belarus – Arina Pehtereva – “Aliens”
- Poland – Ala Tracz – “I’ll Be Standing”
- Georgia – Sandra Gadelia – “You Are Not Alone”
- Malta – Chanel Monseigneur – “Chasing Sunsets”
- Russia – Sofia Feskova – “Moy novy den”
- Spain – Soleá – “Palante”
- Ukraine – Oleksandr Balabanov – “Vidkryvai”
- France – Valentina – “J’imagine”
