The Georgian broadcaster GPB has revealed that Georgia will be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.

This will be the nation’s 12th appearance at the annual contest. However, GPB have yet to announce their selection method when choosing the entry for Georgia. Previously both National Finals and Internal Selections have been used. For the 2018 contest they returned to an internal choice following three years of holding a national final.

Georgia’s most recent attempt was in 2018 with “For You” by Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao. The song finished in last place in the second semi final in Lisbon. This was the second time in a row that Georgia failed to qualify and it was the nation’s worst placing in their history.

Georgia have been present in every Eurovision Song Contest since 2010, and only missed 2009 since their debut in 2007. They are yet to win the contest but in 2010 they achieved their personal best with “Shine” by Sopho Nizharadze which finished in 9th place. Just one year later they managed to match this achievement as their entry “One More Day” by Eldrine also reached 9th place. In contrast, Georgia is currently the most successful country in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with 3 wins to their name.

To date the following nations have confirmed their participation;

Albania

Azerbaijan

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Iceland

Ireland

Israel – Host nation

Latvia

Lithuania

Malta

The Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

Source: ESCToday

Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest Georgia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, they were represented by Sopho Khalvashi and the song “Visionary Dream”. Sopho finished 8th in the final scoring 97 points, the song received 12 points from the televoters in Lithuania. Georgia has only ever missed one contest since their debut, this was in 2009 when Georgia had selected Stephane & 3G with “We Don’t Wanna Put In”, the song proved controversial for its lyrics aimed at the Russian President. The EBU asked for Georgia to rewrite the lyrics of the song or change the song completely. Georgia was forced to withdraw as it continued to state the lyrics were not of a political nature.