France has been confirmed as the host country of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
France Télévisions was confirmed today as the host broadcaster of Junior Eurovision 2021. This will be the first Junior Eurovision ever to be held in France and the first Eurovision event to be hosted in France since Eurovision Young Dancers 1999, which was held in Lyon. France Télévisions had previously indicated their interest in hosting after Valentina’s win in this year’s contest.
Delphine Ernotte Cunci, President of France Télévisions and EBU President-Elect said: “I am very happy that France Télévisions is organizing the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in France in 2021. Valentina represented our country brilliantly by winning the 2020 edition. Consequently, it was obvious to host the next event in France. This is a strong new initiative for us, which underscores the importance France Télévisions attaches to Eurovision, the EBU and Europe. Let us all hope that Junior Eurovision 2021 can take place under normal conditions in France and it will be a time of great celebrations for many Europeans.”
Alexandra Redde-Amiel who is Head of Variety and Entertainment at France Télévisions and Head of Delegation for France, shared her memories of the evening that France won:
“November 29 2020 will always be engraved in our memories thanks to Valentina’s magnificent victory at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. This incredible adventure isn’t over! It truly is an achievement and an honour for the entire France Télévisions entertainment team to organize one of the biggest shows in the world in France. We can’t wait to welcome the EBU teams, all the participants and the European delegations next year and offer them a special show.”
Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and his team are delighted that France Télévisions will host the Contest for the first time:
“We know how excited the whole team in France are to be staging the 19th edition of the Contest and we’re looking forward to working with them on growing the competition and producing a great show in 2021.”
The host city and venue for next year’s Contest will be decided at a later date.
Valentina won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 for France with the song “J’Imagine”. The singer scored a total of 200 points topping both the jury and public vote, the first act to do so since the 2015 contest in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Image Source: EBU/Nathalie Guyon / Source: junioreurovision.tv
France in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
France first participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 with “Si on voulait bien” by Thomas but withdrew the year after. After a 14-year break, France returned to the contest in 2018 with “Jamais sans toi” by Angélina. She finished 2nd, giving France their best result in a Eurovision contest since 1991. In 2020 Valentina would take victory in the contest with the song “J’Imagine” topping both the public and jury vote with a total of 200 points.
