Finnish broadcaster YLE has sent a representative to observe this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Nice, France.
The Associate Producer for UMK and Assistant Head of Delegation for Finland Matti Myllyaho are in Nice to observe the 21st contest on behalf of UMK.
A number of EBU members have previously visited the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to gauge interest in competing. RUV from Iceland were the last of these, sending a delegation to the 2021 contest in the French Capital.
Norway, Germany and Hungary have all sent delegations over the past 10 years to gauge interest. Germany is competing this year in Nice for the third time after debuting in 2020.
YLE was one of the few who broadcast the first competition in 2003 while not competing, though showed no interest after that. YLE’s Swedish channel organised an annual MGP for children until 2021, and YLE themselves was a participant of the Nordic children’s competition MGP Nordic.
YLE’s visit comes at a time when interest in Junior Eurovision is rising. 2023 is the first year we have seen each of the “Big 5” countries compete in the contest, with other countries such as Lithuania and Estonia looking to compete.
What do #YOU think about Finland joining Junior Eurovision? Who else do #YOU want to see? Let us know on our forum, or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok and Discord.
