Belgium in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest

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Belgium in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
Participating broadcaster
Participation summary
Appearances10
First appearance 2003
Last appearance 2012
Highest placement4th: 2009
Host 2005
Participation history
External links
Belgium's page at JuniorEurovision.tv OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Song contest current event.png For the most recent participation see
Belgium in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2012

Belgium competed in every Junior Eurovision Song Contest before withdrawing in 2013. The country's best result was in 2009, when Laura Omloop came 4th with "Zo verliefd". Belgium's worst result was in 2007, with Trust coming 15th with "Anders".

Contents

History

Belgium are one of the sixteen countries to have made their debut at the inaugural 2003 contest, which took place on 15 November 2003 at the Forum in Copenhagen, Denmark. [1]

National selection

Two broadcasters were once responsible for the Belgium entry at Junior Eurovision - as for the Eurovision Song Contest, both Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep (VRT) and Walloon broadcaster Radio télévision belge de la communauté française (RTBF) were responsible for organising the Belgian entry for Junior Eurovision. The two broadcasters shared responsibility, with VRT organising one year, and RTBF organising the following year. In 2003 VRT organised the Belgian entry, sending X!NK to Copenhagen with "De vriendschapsband", while in 2004, RTBF organised the Belgian entry, sending the Free Spirits to the contest in Lillehammer with "Accroche-toi".

2005 marked a change to the format, with both broadcasters organising one national final due to the 2005 contest being held in the Belgian city of Hasselt. Each broadcaster chose six songs to compete in one national final, with the final winner representing Belgium at the contest. [2] The winner was Lindsay Daenen with "Mes rêves". 2006 returned to the previous format, with VRT organising the entry. Following this RTBF decided to withdraw from Junior Eurovision due to a lack of interest for the contest in Wallonia and in RTBF. [3] This gave VRT total control of Belgium's Junior Eurovision entry.

Although VRT is a Dutch broadcaster, they have been known to include some French songs in their national finals, for example, in 2008. However, since 2006 all Belgian entries have been in Dutch. In 2010, Belgium sent a duo for the first time since their debut. Belgium was also the first country who confirmed to participate in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 and 2012. [4]

Withdrawal

On 26 March 2013, VRT announced that Belgium will withdraw from the contest in 2013 in order to launch a new show for young performs in Belgium. [5] However, they held a national final called Wie wordt Junior?  [ nl ], which was won by then 14-year-old Pieter Vreys. On 20 December 2013, Belgium's Flemish TV channel Ketnet announced that they are no longer interested in Junior Eurovision and decided not to make a comeback. On 31 December 2023, VRT stated that it had not yet made a decision as to a return to the contest in 2024, but that it would consider the possibility in the following months. [6] However, Belgium eventually opted against participation in the 2024 contest. [7]

Participation overview

YearArtistSongLanguagePlacePoints
2003 X!NK "De vriendschapsband" Dutch 683
2004 Free Spirits"Accroche-toi" French 1037
2005 Lindsay"Mes rêves"French1063
2006 Thor! "Een tocht door het donker"Dutch771
2007 Trust "Anders"Dutch1519
2008 Oliver"Shut Up"Dutch [lower-alpha 1] 1145
2009 Laura "Zo verliefd (Yodelo)"Dutch4113
2010 Jill and Lauren"Get Up!"Dutch, English761
2011 Femke "Een kusje meer"Dutch [lower-alpha 2] 764
2012 Fabian  [ nl ]"Abracadabra"Dutch572

Commentators and spokespersons

The contests are broadcast online worldwide through the official Junior Eurovision Song Contest website junioreurovision.tv and YouTube. In 2015, the online broadcasts featured commentary in English by junioreurovision.tv editor Luke Fisher and 2011 Bulgarian Junior Eurovision Song Contest entrant Ivan Ivanov. [8] The Belgian broadcasters, VRT and RTBF, send their own commentator to each contest in order to provide commentary in Dutch and French. Spokespersons were also chosen by the national broadcaster in order to announce the awarding points from Belgium. The table below list the details of each commentator and spokesperson since 2003.

YearFlemish commentatorWalloon commentatorSpokespersonRef.
2003 Ilse Van Hoecke and Bart Peeters Corinne BoulangierJudith Bussé
2004 Ilse Van Hoecke and Marcel Vanthilt Jean-Louis LahayeAlexander Schönfelder
2005 Ilse Van Hoecke and André Vermeulen Max Colombie
2006 Ilse Van Hoecke and Jelle CleymansNo broadcastSander Cliquet
2007 Kristien Maes and Ben RoelantsBab Buelens
2008 Chloé Ditlefsen
2009 Oliver Symons
2010 Kristien Maes and Tom De Cock Laura Omloop
2011 Jill & Lauren
2012 Astrid Demeure and Tom De Cock Femke Verschueren
20132023 No broadcastDid not participate

Hostings

YearLocationVenuePresenters
2005 Hasselt Ethias Arena Maureen Louys and Marcel Vanthilt

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Even though the song is in Dutch, the title is in English.
  2. Contains one phrase in French

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005</span> International song competition for youth

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was the third edition of the annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest for young singers aged 8 to 15. On 26 November 2005, the contest was broadcast live from the Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium, in a joint effort by the national broadcasters Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep (VRT) and Radio télévision belge de la communauté française (RTBF), in co-operation with the European Broadcasting Union. Marcel Vanthilt and Maureen Louys hosted the event.

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

Croatia participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest five times, and won the inaugural edition in 2003. Croatian broadcaster Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT), a member organisation of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), were responsible for the country's participation. Croatia participated in the first four editions, from 2003 to 2006, organising a national final to select the country's entrant. The first representative to participate for Croatia was Dino Jelusić with the song "Ti si moja prva ljubav", which finished in first place out of sixteen participating entries, with a score of 134 points. Croatia was absent from the contest between 2007 and 2013, but HRT decided to return to the contest in 2014 and selected their entry internally. In 2014, Josie finished in last place for Croatia with the song "Game Over", after which HRT again withdrew from competing the following year.

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

Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 64 times since making its debut as one of seven countries at the first contest in 1956. The only countries with the same number or more appearances are Germany (66), France (65) and the United Kingdom (65). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006</span> International song competition for youth

The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the fourth edition of the annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest for young singers aged 8 to 15. On 2 December 2006, the contest was broadcast live from Bucharest, Romania making it the second time the contest had been held in a capital city. It was organised by the Romanian national broadcaster, Romanian Television (TVR), in co-operation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

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

Sweden has participated at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest eleven times since its inception in 2003. Two broadcasters have been responsible for Sweden's entries at Junior Eurovision – from 2003 to 2005, Sveriges Television (SVT) was responsible, before withdrawing with other Nordic broadcasters. From 2006 to 2009, commercial broadcaster TV4 was responsible for Sweden's entry at the Junior Eurovision.

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

The participation of Spain in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest first began at the inaugural Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 which took place in Copenhagen, Denmark. Televisión Española (TVE), a division of Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) and member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), were responsible for the selection process of their participation. Spain used a national selection format, broadcasting a show entitled Eurojunior, for their participation at the contests. The first representative to participate for the nation at the 2003 contest was Sergio with the song "Desde el cielo", which finished in second place out of sixteen participating entries, achieving a score of 125 points. Spain did not participate from 2007 to 2018, but returned to the contest in 2019.

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

Cyprus has participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 10 times since debuting at the first contest in 2003. The country's best result was eighth place, which was achieved both at the 2004 and 2006 contests with Marios Tofi and the song "Oneira" and Luis Panagiotou and Christina Christofi and the song "Agoria koritsia" respectively. The national broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) has hosted the event for Cyprus once, in 2008 in Limassol. The nation's last appearance in the contest was in 2017.

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

Belarus has participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in every edition since its inception in 2003 until 2020. The Belarusian Television and Radio Company (BTRC), then a member organisation of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has been responsible for the selection process of its participants since its debut. The country hosted the contest at the Minsk-Arena in 2010 and again in 2018.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song "Le Grand Soir" written by Alec Mansion and Frédéric Zeitoun. The song was performed by Nuno Resende. The Belgian entry for the 2005 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine was selected through the national final Finale Nationale Concours Eurovision de la Chanson 2005, organised by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF). 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 participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "1 Life" written by Dirk Paelinck and Marc Paelinck. The song was performed by Xandee. The Belgian entry for the 2004 contest in Istanbul, Turkey was selected through the national final Eurosong '04, organised by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbia and Montenegro in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Serbia and Montenegro participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2005; their only participation during the country's existence. Filip Vučić represented the country with "Ljubav pa fudbal", which finished 13th for the country. Following the country's dissolution in 2006, Serbia continued to participate in the contest, debuting in 2006. Montenegro participated in the 2014 contest.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Love Power" written by Paul Curtiz and Wakas Ashiq. The song was performed by the band The KMG's, which was internally selected by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF) in February 2007 to represent the nation at the 2007 contest in Helsinki, Finland. The song, "Love Power", was released on 23 February 2007 and officially presented to the public on 26 February 2007. This was the first time that a Walloon entry was performed in English at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Sanomi" written by Yves Barbieux. The song was performed by the group Urban Trad, which was internally selected by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF) in December 2002 to represent the nation at the 2003 contest in Riga, Latvia. The song, "Sanomi", was presented to the public on 31 March 2003.

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 participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "With Love Baby" written by RoxorLoops and Benoît Giaux. The song was performed by the group Witloof Bay. The Belgian entry for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany was selected through the national final Eurovision 2011: Qui? A vous de choisir!, organised by the Walloon broadcaster Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF). The competition featured thirty competing entries and consisted of two shows. In the final on 30 January 2011, "With Love Baby" performed by Witloof Bay was selected as the winner via the votes of a four-member jury panel and a public televote.

Belgium as host country chose their Junior Eurovision entry for 2005 through Eurokids, a national final consisting of 12 songs competing over two semi-finals and a final. The winner of Eurokids was Lindsay Daenen with the song "Mes rêves".

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 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.

References

  1. García, Belén (7 September 2015). "#BestOfJESC – Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2003". esc-plus.com. ESC+Plus. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  2. Philips, Roel (2004-11-22). "Junior 2005: 6 Flemish and 6 French songs in Belgian finals". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  3. West-Soley, Richard (2006-10-03). "VRT take over Belgian JESC". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  4. "Schrijf je in voor Junior Eurosong 2011 | Ketnet". Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
  5. Clark, Liam (27 March 2013). "Belgium: Belgium withdraw from Junior Eurovision". escXtra. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013.
  6. "Bélgica: VRT podría participar en Eurovisión Junior 2024" [Belgium: VRT could participate in Junior Eurovision 2024]. Eurofestivales (in European Spanish). 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  7. Mancheño, José Miguel (2024-05-18). "La VRT belga descarta participar en Eurovisión Junior 2024" [Belgian VRT rules out participation in Junior Eurovision 2024]. ESCplus España (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  8. Fisher, Luke James (21 November 2015). "Tonight: Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015!". Junior Eurovision Song Contest – Bulgaria 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.