As the host city announcement and a brand new season draw nearer, we have a new confirmation, this time coming from Belarus!

Seventeenth participation in a row

Belarusian broadcaster (BTRC) confirmed their Eurovision 2020 participation to fellow news site ESCToday. In The Netherlands, it will be Belarus’s seventeenth appearance at the contest, having debuted in 2004 with Aleksandra and Konstantin’s “My Galileo“. Over the years, Belarus has struggled to achieve good results, qualifying for the final in 6 out of 16 attempts. To date, Dmitry Koldun’s 6th place in Helsinki in 2007 remains the country’s best result and only top 10 finish.

Possible changes to selection format

This year, Belarus held a round of over 70 auditions and a national finals with 10 acts to select their ambassador for Tel Aviv. However, earlier this year, during an interview with Sputnik, BTRC chairman Ivan Eismont hinted that national final may be replaced. Currently, it is not clear whether the formal will be internal selection or if it will involve the the launch of a talent show like The Voice of X Factor. Be sure to keep following ESCXTRA for further updates.

Belarus at Eurovision 2019

In Tel Aviv, it was 16-year-old and Junior Eurovision 2018 co-host ZENA who had the honour of representing Belarus. After an energetic and confident performance, she managed to qualify for the final finishing 10th, just 2 points above Poland. In the final, she ended in 24th place with 31 points, 18 from the juries and 13 from the televoters.

Are you happy Belarus will participate at 2020? Who would you like to see represent them in The Netherlands? What is your favourite Belarusian entry so far?

Let us know in the comment section below or on all social media platforms @ESCXTRA.