Kazakhstan’s broadcaster, Khabar Agency has on Monday, 6 June announced the country’s non-participation at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Nice, France.
Daniyar Tussupbekov, a Director from the broadcaster confirmed the news to Eurofestivales saying:
“I am sorry to inform that this year the Khabar Agency will not participate. Therefore, Kazakhstan will not appear on the list of participants. In fact, it is very sad to inform about this decision.”
The country’s withdrawal from Junior Eurovision ends a five-year period of participation at the contest. Nevertheless, the director remains hopeful regarding a return to the contest in 2024 and is keen to broadcast the contest in Nice this year for Kazakh viewers.
Kazakhstan’s debut at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was in 2018 with Daneliya Tuleshova and her song “Ozine sen” finishing in 6th place. In four of the five years of participation (2018-2021), the country finished inside the top ten with two runners-up in 2019 and 2020. In 2022 the country was represented by David Charlin with the song “Jer-Ana” finishing in 15th place with 47 points.
Junior Eurovision 2023
The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in Nice, France following Lissandro’s victory in Yerevan, Armenia with the song “Oh Maman!”. This will be the second time that France will be hosting the Contest having hosted in the French capital, Paris in 2021.
The following countries have so far confirmed their participation:
- Armenia
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malta
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Spain
- Ukraine
What do #YOU think about Kazakhstan’s withdrawal this year and would #YOU like to see the country back in 2024? Let us know on social media @ESCUnited, on our discord, or on our forum page!
