The eight semi-finalists of Polstjärnepriset 2026 have been selected.
The first round of Polstjärnepriset 2026 has taken place. A total 20 musicians competed for eight places in the next phase of the contest, which will select Sweden’s representative for Eurovision Young Musicians.
The eight semi-finalists are:
- Axel Drougge (violin)
- Daniel Iourtchik (violin)
- Edward Ahlbeck Glader (piano)
- Erik Dalhielm (bass saxophone)
- Hansine Pellbäck (violin)
- Joachim Tian (piano)
- Sara Hagman (violin)
- Yufeng Pan (piano)
The twelve musicians who performed but did not qualify for the semi-finals are:
- Samir Abdourazakov (piano)
- Malte Byhamre (piano)
- Angelo Fonseca Holm (viola)
- Frey Franzén Garuz (violin)
- Malte Molén Thorson (piano)
- Thea Piscator (violin)
- Joshelin Raharjo (piano)
- Esther Scalamonti Marsh (piano)
- Tymofii Slakva (piano)
- Cold Thorner (flute)
- Alex Rongsheng Zhang (piano)
- Viktor Zhang (piano)
The semi-final will take place later today. The eight participants will compete for four places in the final at the Gothenburg Concert Hall, where they will perform together with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. The winner will represent Sweden at Eurovision Young Musicians 2026.
Cellist Hugo Svedberg represented Sweden at Eurovision Young Musicians 2024 in Bodø. Hugo finished second with the jury, bringing Sweden its first top 3 result since the country won Eurovision Young Musicians in 2006.
Eurovision Young Musicians
Eurovision Young Musicians is a contest for musicians between the ages of 12 and 21. It has been held since 1982, as the first spin-off contest of the Eurovision Song Contest. The event celebrated its 20th edition in 2022, when Montpellier hosted the competition.
A total of 42 countries have competed over 21 editions of the contest. Norway has competed in 20 out of the 21 contests, tied with Austria. Austria is the most successful country, having won six editions and competed in 17 finals. Leonhard Baumgartner from Austria is the latest winner of the contest, taking victory in Bodø in 2024.
Image source: Nima Taheri/ NRK
