Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025

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Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Participating broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT)
CountryFlag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
National selection
Selection processEurosong 2025
Selection date(s)1 February 2025
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄20242025

Belgium will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), will organise the national final Eurosong2025 in order to select its entry for the contest.

Contents

Background

Prior to the 2025 contest, Belgium had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixty-five times since its debut as one of seven countries to take part in 1956, only missing the 1994, 1997, and 2001 editions. [1] Since then, the country has won the contest on one occasion in 1986 with the song " J'aime la vie ", performed by Sandra Kim. Following the introduction of semi-finals for 2004, Belgium had featured in nine finals. In 2024, "Before the Party's Over" by Mustii failed to qualify for the final. [1]

The Belgian participation in the contest alternates between two broadcasters: Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) and Walloon Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), with both broadcasters sharing broadcasting rights. Both broadcasters and their predecessors had selected the Belgian entries using national finals and internal selections in the past. In 2023, VRT organised the national final Eurosong in order to select the Belgian entry, while in 2024, RTBF opted for an internal selection. On 8 May 2025, VRT confirmed its participation in the 2025 contest and announced that it would select its entry through the national final Eurosong 2025. [2]

Before Eurovision

Eurosong 2025

Eurosong 2025 will be the national final that will select the Belgian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The competition will consist of two pre-recorded showcase shows that will be broadcast on 18 and 25 January 2025, followed by a live final on 1 February 2025 where the winning song and artist will be selected. All three shows will be hosted by Peter Van de Veire and broadcast on VRT 1, as well as on the broadcaster's online streaming platform VRT MAX. [3]

Format

Eight artists were sought to compete in Eurosong. The competition will include two non-competitive showcase shows that will be filmed on 10 and 14 December 2024 at the VRT Studio 5 in Brussels and air on 18 and 25 January 2025. Both shows will feature the eight artists presenting their candidate Eurovision song without any staging. The final will take place on 1 February 2025 at the EMG Studio 7 in Vilvoorde where the winner will be chosen by an expert jury and public televoting. [4] [5]

Competing entries

The names of the eight acts selected for the competition were announced on 11 November 2024. [3] [6] The artists were selected by an A&R Team (Arts and Repertoire) consisting of music experts from VRT from proposals submitted by record labels, artist managers and producers; shortlisted artists were required to submit two songs by September 2024 and attend several auditions rounds at the Reyerstoren  [ nl ] in Brussels. [7] [8]

ArtistSongSongwriter(s)
GraceTBA
Jelle van Dael  [ nl ]
Le Manou
Leez
Lenn  [ nl ]
Mentissa
Red Sebastian
Stefanie Callebaut

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 65 times since making its debut as one of seven countries at the first contest in 1956. The only countries with more appearances are Germany (67), France (66) and the United Kingdom (66). Belgium have been absent only three times in total, in 1994, 1997, and 2001, due to low scores in the previous contests that relegated them from the contest. Belgium has won the contest once, in 1986.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Je t'adore", written by Kate Ryan, Niklas Bergwall, Niclas Kings, and Lisa Greene, and performed by Kate Ryan herself. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), selected its entry for the contest through the national final Eurosong '06. The competition featured twenty-eight competing entries and consisted of seven shows. In the final on 19 February 2006, "Je t'adore" performed by Kate Ryan was selected as the winner via the votes of seven jury groups and a public televote.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song "Le Grand Soir", written by Alec Mansion and Frédéric Zeitoun, and performed by Nuno Resende. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), selected its entry through the national final Finale Nationale Concours Eurovision de la Chanson 2005. In the final on 20 March 2005 which featured two competing entries, "Le Grand Soir" performed by Nuno Resende was selected as the winner after gaining 50.2% of the public televote.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "1 Life", composed by Marc Paelinck, with lyrics by Dirk Paelinck, and performed by Xandee. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), selected its entry for the contest through the national final Eurosong '04. The competition featured twenty-eight competing entries and consisted of five shows. In the final on 15 February 2004, "1 Life" performed by Xandee was selected as the winner via the votes of five voting groups.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "Like the Wind", written by Ilia Beyers, John Terra, Emma Philippa-Hjälmås and Wim Claes, and performed by Vanessa Chinitor. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), selected its entry for the contest through the national final Eurosong '99. The competition featured twenty-five competing entries and consisted of three shows. In the final on 28 February 1999, "Like the Wind" performed by Vanessa Chinitor was selected as the winner via the votes of three televoting groups and two jury groups.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Sanomi", written by Yves Barbieux, and performed by the group Urban Trad. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), internally selected in December 2002 its entry for the contest. The song, "Sanomi", was presented to the public on 31 March 2003. This was the first-ever entry performed in a constructed language in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "Sister", written by Dirk Paelinck and Marc Paelinck, and performed by the group Sergio and the Ladies. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), selected its entry for the contest through the national final Eurosong 2002. Belgium returned to the contest after a one-year absence following their relegation from 2001 as one of the bottom six entrants in 2000. The national final featured twenty-eight competing entries and consisted of five shows. In the final on 17 February 2002, "Sister" performed by Sergio @ the Ladies was selected as the winner via the votes of five voting groups. The group was renamed as Sergio and the Ladies for Eurovision.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "O Julissi" written by Michel Vangheluwe. The song was performed by the band Ishtar. The Belgian entry for the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia was selected through the national final Eurosong '08, organised by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). The competition featured twenty competing entries and consisted of seven shows. In the final on 9 March 2008, "O Julissi Na Jalini" performed by Ishtar was selected as the winner via a public televote. The song was later retitled as "O Julissi".

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 with the song "Dis oui", written by Philippe Swan, and performed by Mélanie Cohl. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), selected its entry through a national final. The entry placed sixth out of the 25 entries, scoring 122 points.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Copycat" written by Benjamin Schoos and Jacques Duvall. The song was performed by the group Copycat, which was internally selected by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF) in February 2009 to represent the nation at the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. The song, "Copycat", was presented to the public on 10 March 2009.

Belgium participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Me and My Guitar" written by Tom Dice, Jeroen Swinnen and Ashley Hicklin. The song was performed by Tom Dice, who was internally selected by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) in November 2009 to represent the nation at the 2010 contest in Oslo, Norway. The song, "Me and My Guitar", was presented to the public on 7 March 2010 during the television special Eurosong 2010: een song voor Tom Dice!.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Would You?" written by Nina Sampermans, Jean Bosco Safari and Walter Mannaerts. The song was performed by Iris, who was internally selected by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) in November 2011 to represent the nation at the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. The song was selected through the national final Eurosong 2012: Een song voor Iris, which was organised by VRT and featured two songs. In the final on 17 March 2012, "Would You?" was selected as the winning song after gaining 53% of the public televote.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Mother" written by Ashley Hicklin and Rafael Artesero. The song was performed by Axel Hirsoux. The Belgian entry for the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark was selected through the national final Eurosong 2014, organised by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). The competition featured thirty competing acts and consisted of seven shows. In the final on 16 March 2014, "Mother" performed by Axel Hirsoux was selected as the winner via the votes of seven international jury groups and a public televote.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "What's the Pressure" written by Sanne Putseys, Louis Favre, Birsen Uçar and Yannick Werther. The song was performed by Laura Tesoro. The Belgian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden was selected through the national final Eurosong 2016, organised by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). The competition featured five competing acts and consisted of two presentation shows and a final. In the final on 17 January 2016, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting: the first selected the top two via the votes of ten international jury groups and a public televote, while the second selected the winner solely by public televoting. "What's the Pressure" performed by Laura Tesoro was the winner after placing first during both rounds of voting.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "A Matter of Time" written by Laura Groeseneken, Alex Callier and Maxime Tribeche. The song was performed by Sennek, which is the artistic name of singer Laura Groeseneken who was internally selected by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) in September 2017 to represent the nation at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. The song, "A Matter of Time", was presented to the public on 5 March 2018.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Wake Up" written by Eliot Vassamillet and Pierre Dumoulin. The song was performed by Eliot, which is the artistic name of singer Eliot Vassamillet who was internally selected by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF) in January 2019 to represent the nation at the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. The song, "Wake Up", was presented to the public on 28 February 2019.

Belgium originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Release Me" written by Alex Callier and Luca Chiaravalli. The song was performed by the band Hooverphonic, which was internally selected by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) in October 2019 to represent the nation at the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The song, "Release Me", was presented to the public on 17 February 2020.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "The Wrong Place" written by Alex Callier and Charlotte Foret. The song was performed by the band Hooverphonic, which was internally selected by the Belgian broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT) in March 2020 to represent the nation at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after they were due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Release Me" before the 2020 event's cancellation. The song, "The Wrong Place", was presented to the public on 4 March 2021.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song "Because of You", written by Stef Caers and Jaouad Alloul, and performed by Caers himself under his stage name Gustaph. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Flemish Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), organised the national final Eurosong 2023 to select the Belgian entry for the contest. The competition featured seven competing acts and consisted of five songclub shows and a final. In the final on 14 January 2023, "Because of You" performed by Gustaph was selected as the winner via the votes of a fifteen-member jury panel and a public vote.

Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Before the Party's Over", written by Arianna Damato, Benoit Leclercq, Charlotte Clark, Nina Sampermans, Pierre Dumoulin, and Thomas Mustin, and performed by Mustin himself under his stage name Mustii. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-télévision belge de la Communauté française (RTBF), internally selected the Belgian entry for the contest.

References

  1. 1 2 "Belgium". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  2. Washak, James (8 May 2024). "🇧🇪 Belgium: Eurosong Returns to Select Eurovision 2025 Entry". Eurovoix. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  3. 1 2 "De kleinzoon van Louis Neefs en de zus van Metejoor: dit zijn de 8 kandidaten voor Eurosong 2025" [Louis Neefs' grandson and Metejoor's sister: these are the 8 candidates for Eurosong 2025]. vrtnws.be (in Flemish). VRT. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  4. Farren, Neil (14 November 2024). "🇧🇪 Belgium: Eurosong 2025 Artists Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  5. "Eurosong: toegankelijk event" [Eurosong: accessible event] (in Flemish). VRT. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  6. "Belgium 2025: Lineup for 'Eurosong' revealed". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  7. Farren, Neil (3 June 2024). "🇧🇪 Belgium: No Public Submissions for Eurosong 2025". Eurovoix. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
  8. "De kleinzoon van Louis Neefs en een ster uit Frankrijk: alle namen voor 'Eurosong 2025' zijn bekend" [Louis Neefs' grandson and a star from France: all names for 'Eurosong 2025' are known] (in Flemish). Het Laatste Nieuws. 14 November 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.