Estonia attempted to compete in Eurovision in 1993 and went on to win the Song Contest in 2001, the Baltic nation has since competed in multiple contests.
Estonia in Eurovision
Estonia first tried to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 represented by Janika Sillamaa, but failed to qualify from Kvalifikacija za Millstreet. In 1994, Estonia would officially make its Eurovision debut and made history as the first former USSR-annexed country to win the contest.
Estonia’s results are as follows:
- 1993 – Janika Sillamaa – “Muretut meelt ja südametuld” – 5th in Kvalifikacija za Millstreet – 47 points
- 1994 – Silvi Vrait – “Nagu merelaine” – 24th – 2 points
- 1996 – Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna – “Kaelakee hääl” – 5th – 94 points
- 1997 – Maarja – “Keelatud maa” – 8th – 82 points
- 1998 – Koit Toome – “Mere lapsed” – 12th – 36 points
- 1999 – Evelin Samuel and Camille – “Diamond of Night” – 6th – 90 points
- 2000 – Ines – “Once in a Lifetime” – 4th – 98 points
- 2001 – Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL – “Everybody” – 1st – 198 points
- 2002 – Sahlene – “Runaway” – 3rd – 111 points
- 2003 – Rufus – “Eighties Coming Back” – 21st – 14 points
- 2004 – Neiokõsõ – “Tii” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 57 points
- 2005 – Suntribe – “Let’s Get Loud” – 20th in the Semi-Final – 31 points
- 2006 – Sandra Oxenryd – “Through My Window” – 18th in the Semi-Final – 28 points
- 2007 – Gerli Padar – “Partners in Crime” – 22nd in the Semi-Final – 33 points
- 2008 – Kreisiraadio – “Leto svet” – 18th in the Semi-Final – 8 points
- 2009 – Urban Symphony – “Rändajad” – 6th – 120 points
- 2010 – Malcolm Lincoln – “Siren” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 39 points
- 2011 – Getter Jaani – “Rockefeller Street” – 24th – 44 points
- 2012 – Ott Lepland – “Kuula” – 6th – 120 points
- 2013 – Birgit – “Et uus saaks alguse” – 20th – 19 points
- 2014 – Tanja – “Amazing” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 36 points
- 2015 – Elina Born and Stig Rästa – “Goodbye to Yesterday” – 7th – 106 points
- 2016 – Jüri Pootsmann – “Play” – 18th in the Semi-Final – 24 points
- 2017 – Koit Toome and Laura – “Verona” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 85 points
- 2018 – Elina Nechayeva – “La forza” – 8th – 245 points
- 2019 – Victor Crone – “Storm” – 20th – 76 points
- 2020 – Uku Suviste – “What Love Is” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Uku Suviste – “The Lucky One” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 58 points
- 2022 – Stefan – “Hope” – 13th – 141 points
- 2023 – Aika – “Bridges” – 8th – 168 points
- 2024 – 5miinust and Puuluup – “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” – 20th – 37 points
- 2025 – Tommy Cash – “Espress Macchiato” – 3rd – 356 points
- 2026 – Vanilla Ninja – “Too Epic to Be True” – 11th in Semi-Final – 79 points
While ERR did not compete in the 1992 or 1995 editions of the Eurovision Song Contest, they did still broadcast the competition.
Estonia and other Eurovision family events
Estonia has participated in four other Eurovision family events but is yet to take a victory in these contests.
Eurovision Choir
Estonia was one of nine countries to participate in the first edition of Eurovision Choir in 2017. ERR internally selected the Estonian TV Girls’ Choir to represent Estonia, they were the first act to compete on stage in the history of the contest. Estonia placed outside of the top three.
Eurovision Young Dancers
Estonia made their debut in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1993 alongside three other countries. The Estonian broadcaster participated in four editions of the contest.
- 1993 – Stanislav Jermakov and Luana Georg – Did not qualify for the final
- 1997 – Mari Savitski – Did not qualify for the final
- 2001 – Sergei Upkin
- 2003 – Maria Seletskaja – 3rd in the Classical Category
Eurovision Young Musicians
Estonia made their Eurovision Young Musicians debut in 1994, one year after their Eurovision Song Contest debut. Estonia was an active participant in the contest until the early 2000s before making a return in 2018.
- 1994 – Marko Martin (Piano)
- 1996 – Hanna Heinmaa (Piano) – 3rd
- 1998 – Hando Nahkur (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2000 – Vambola Krigul (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2002 – Michael Paull (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2004 – Jaan Kapp (Piano)
- 2018 – Tanel-Eiko Novikov (Percussion) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2020 – Was due to compete but contest cancelled due to COVID-19
ERR also broadcast the 2010 edition of the contest but did not participate.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Estonia made their debut in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 in Nice, France. The Estonian broadcaster had previously broadcast the 2003 and 2004 contests but had not participated. ERR has selected the Estonian representative using Tähtede lava, the broadcaster withdrew from the contest in 2025.
- 2023 – Arhanna – “Hoiame kokku” – 15th – 49 points
- 2024 – Annabelle – “Tänavad” – 14th – 55 points
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast by DR of Denmark:
- Kvalifikacija za Millstreet – 1993
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Estonia & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
Estonia’s history in the contest is:
- 1991 – Aired the 1991 contest.
- 1992 – Aired the 1992 contest in 1995.
- 1999 – Aired the 1999 contest.
- 2003 – Children’s Television Music Studio Children’s Choir – Chidren’s Category Finalist
- 2005 – Children’s Chorus of the Tallinn Music High School – Winner of the Children’s Category & Overall Winners
- 2005 – Estonian Television Girl’s Choir – Youth Category Finalist
- 2007 – Maarjalill – Children’s Category Finalist
- 2007 – Tütarlastekoor Ellerhein – Youth Category Winner
- 2009 – Girls’ Choir of the Old Town Music House – Youth Category finalist
- 2011 – Youth Choir of Tallinn Music High School – Winner of the Children’s / Youth Category
- 2017 – Collegium Musicale – Adult Category Winner & Overall Winners
- 2017 – Estonian Radio Children’s Music Studio Girls’ Choir – Children / Youth Category finalist
- 2019 – Sireen Chamber Choir – Finalist in the Adult Category
- 2024 – Encore – Finalist in the Adult Category
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv