The artists and songs competing in the 2021 edition of Festival da Canção have been revealed, as well as the hosts for the shows.
Portuguese broadcaster RTP has revealed the twenty artists and their songs that will be competing in Festival da Canção 2021. The twenty composers of the songs were revealed late last year, and have chosen the artist that will perform their song.
Of the 20 composers, 18 were directly invited by RTP. Miguel Marôco and Pedro Gonçalves were selected through a public selection. A total of 693 submissions were made through the public selection, which is the highest number of songs ever submitted to this selection.
Participating in Semi-Final One are (composer names in brackets):
- Nadine – “Cheguei Aqui” (I got here) (Anne Victorino d’Almeida)
- Fábia Maia – “Dia Lindo” (Beautiful day) (Fábia Maia)
- Sara Afonso – “Contramão” (Contrary) (Filipe Melo)
- Valéria – “Na Mais Profunda Saudade” (In deepest longing) (Helder Moutinho)
- IAN – “Mundo” (World) (IAN)
- Irma – “Livros” (Books) (Irma)
- Karetus & Romeu Bairos – “Saudade” (Longing) (Karetus)
- Miguel Marôco – “Girassol” (Sunflower) (Miguel Marôco)
- Mema – “Claro Como Água” (Clear as water) (Stereossauro)
- The Black Mamba – “Love Is On My Side” (Tatanka)
Participating in Semi-Final Two are:
- Carolina Deslandes – “Por Um Triz” (Almost) (Carolina Deslandes)
- Da Chick – “I Got Music” (Da Chick)
- Joana Alegre – “Joana Do Mar” (Joana of the sea) (Joana Alegre)
- Graciela – “A Vida Sem Acontecer” (Life without happening) (João Vieira)
- NEEV – “Dancing In The Stars” (Neev)
- Eu.Clides – “Volte-Face” (Back-face) (Pedro da Linha)
- Pedro Gonçalves – “Não Vou Ficar” (I won’t stay) (Pedro Gonçalves)
- Tainá – “Jasmim” (Jasmine) (Tainá)
- Ariana – “Mundo Melhor” (Better world) (Virgul)
- Ana Tereza – “Com Um Abraço” (With a hug) (Viviane)
Listen to the competing songs here.
The hosts of the shows have also been revealed. Jorge Gabriel and José Carlos Malato will host the first semi-final on February 20th, with Tania Ribas De Oliveira and Sónia Araújo hosting the second semi-final on February 27th. For the third consecutive year, Vasco Palmeirim and Filomena Cautela will host the final, to be held on March 6th. 
Source: RTP / Image source: ESC Bubble
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 represented by Antonio Calvario, the country finished last scoring nul points. Prior to 2016, the best result of Portugal was 6th place which came in 1996 when Lucia Moniz performed in Oslo. She scored 92 points, receiving the 12 points from both Norway and Cyprus. Since their debut, Portugal have missed a total of five contests. In 2017, Portugal produced a spectacular win when Salvador Sobral took home the crystal microphone with his song “Amar Pelos Dois.” The 2018 contest was held in Lisbon, Portugal for the first time.
