Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest | |
---|---|
Participating broadcaster | Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) |
Participation summary | |
Appearances | 24 (11 finals) |
First appearance | 2000 |
Highest placement | 1st: 2002 |
Host | 2003 |
Related articles | |
Supernova | |
External links | |
LTV page | |
Latvia's page at Eurovision.tv | |
For the most recent participation see Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 |
Latvia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 24 times since making its debut at the contest in 2000, where the song "My Star" performed by the group Brainstorm finished third. Latvia won the contest in 2002, with the song "I Wanna" by Marie N, defeating Malta by 12 points. Latvia is the second former Soviet country to win the contest. The 2003 contest was held in the Latvian capital Riga. The country achieved its third top 10 result in 2005, when "The War Is Not Over" by Walters and Kazha finished fifth. The Latvian participant broadcaster in the contest is Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), which select its entrant since 2015 with the national selection Supernova .
Latvia did not participate in the final from 2009 to 2014, when they failed to qualify from the semi-finals for six consecutive years, including finishing last on three occasions, in 2009, 2010, and 2013. [1] [2] Latvia qualified for the final for the first time since 2008 at the 2015 contest with the song "Love Injected" by Aminata. Its sixth place in the final is Latvia's fourth top 10 finish and best result in the contest since 2005. Latvia made its 10th appearance in the final in 2016. After failing to qualify for the final from 2017 to 2023, it finally managed to qualify to the final in the 2024 contest with "Hollow" by Dons.
Latvia has the distinction of having finished last in the Eurovision semi-finals more than any other country. Since its introduction in 2004, Latvia has finished last in five semi-finals, with " Probka " by Intars Busulis (2009), "What For?" by Aisha (2010), "Here We Go" by PeR (2013), "Line" by Triana Park (2017), and "The Moon Is Rising" by Samanta Tīna (2021).
Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1 January 1993, thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest since then. It has participated in the contest representing Latvia since its 45th edition in 2000.
LTV has chosen all its entrants in the contest through a national final, with the exception of "The Moon Is Rising" performed by Samanta Tīna in 2021. [a] Since 2015, the Latvian national selection is Supernova . Previously, the national selections were Eirodziesma (2000–2012) and Dziesma (2013–2014).
All of Latvia's entries have been performed in English, except for three entries. In 2004, "Dziesma par laimi" performed by Fomins and Kleins in Latvian, in 2007, "Questa notte" performed by Bonaparti.lv in Italian, and in 2009, Intars Busulis, having won the national selection Eirodziesma with "Sastrēgums" in Latvian, performed the song in Eurovision in Russian as "Probka". [3]
1 | First place |
2 | Second place |
3 | Third place |
◁ | Last place |
X | Entry selected but did not compete |
† | Upcoming event |
Year | Location | Venue | Presenters |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Riga | Skonto Hall | Marija Naumova and Renārs Kaupers |
Each participating broadcaster in the Eurovision Song Contest assigns a head of delegation as the EBU's contact person and the leader of their delegation at the event. The delegation, whose size can greatly vary, includes a head of press, the contestants, songwriters, composers, and backing vocalists, among others. [6]
Year | Head of delegation | Ref. |
---|---|---|
2012–2020 | Zita Kaminska | |
2021–2024 | Guntars Gulbiņš |
Year | Commentator | Spokesperson | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Kārlis Streips | Did not participate | |
1999 | |||
2000 | Lauris Reiniks | ||
2001 | Renārs Kaupers | ||
2002 | Ēriks Niedra | ||
2003 | Ģirts Līcis | ||
2004 | Lauris Reiniks | ||
2005 | Marie N | ||
2006 | Mārtiņš Freimanis | ||
2007 | Janis Šipkevics | ||
2008 | Kristīne Virsnīte | ||
2009 | Roberto Meloni | ||
2010 | Kārlis Būmeisters | ||
2011 | Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Uģis Joksts (final) | Aisha | |
2012 | Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Kārlis Būmeisters (final) | Valters Frīdenbergs | |
2013 | Anmary | ||
2014 | Valters and Kaža | Ralfs Eilands | |
2015 | Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Toms Grēviņš (final) | Markus Riva | |
2016 | Toms Grēviņš | ||
2017 | Aminata Savadogo | ||
2018 | Toms Grēviņš (all), Magnuss Eriņš (final) | Dagmāra Legante | |
2019 | Toms Grēviņš (all), Ketija Šēnberga (final) | Laura Rizzotto | |
2021 | Toms Grēviņš (all), Marija Naumova (final) | Aminata Savadogo | |
2022 | Toms Grēviņš (all), Lauris Reiniks (final) | Samanta Tīna | |
2023 | Jānis Pētersons | ||
2024 | Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis |
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "I Hear Your Heart", composed by Andris Sējāns and Reinis Sējāns, with lyrics by Guntars Račs and Molly-Ann Leikin, and performed by the group Cosmos. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2006 in order to select its entry for the contest. Twenty songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. In the semi-finals on 4 and 11 February 2006, five entries were selected to advance from each show: three entries selected based on a public televote and two entries selected by a five-member jury panel. Ten songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 11 March 2006 where two rounds of public voting selected "I Hear Your Heart" performed by Cosmos as the winner.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song "The War Is Not Over", written by Mārtiņš Freimanis, and performed by Walters and Kazha. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2005 in order to select its entry for the contest. Twenty songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. In the semi-finals on 29 January and 5 February 2005, five entries were selected to advance from each show: three entries selected based on a public televote and two entries selected by a jury panel. Ten songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 26 February 2005 where two rounds of public voting selected "The War Is Not Over" performed by Valters and Kaža as the winner. Songwriter Freimanis represented Latvia in 2003 as part of the group F.L.Y..
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "My Star", written by Renārs Kaupers, and performed with his band Brainstorm. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2000 in order to select its entry for the contest. This was the first-ever entry from Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "I Wanna", written by Marija Naumova and Marats Samauskis, and performed by Naumova herself under her artistic name Marie N. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2002 in order to select its entry for the contest. Fifteen songs were selected to compete in the national final on 2 March 2002 where a public televote exclusively selected "I Wonna" performed by Marija Naumova as the winner. The song was later retitled as "I Wanna" for the Eurovision Song Contest, which it eventually won.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 with the song "Too Much", written by Arnis Mednis and Gustavs Terzens, and performed by Arnis Mednis himself. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2001 in order to select its entry for the contest. Ten songs were selected to compete in the national final on 24 February 2001 where a public televote and four thematical jury groups selected "Too Much" performed by Arnis Mednis as the winner.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Hello from Mars", written by Mārtiņš Freimanis and Lauris Reiniks, and performed by the group F.L.Y. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Eirodziesma 2003 in order to select its entry for the contest. In addition, LTV was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the Skonto Hall in Riga, after winning the previous edition with the song "I Wanna" performed by Marie N.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Dziesma par laimi", composed by Guntars Račs, with lyrics by Tomass Kleins, and performed by Fomins and Kleins. The Latvian participating broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), organised the national final Eirodziesma 2004 in order to select its entry for the contest. Ten songs were selected to compete in the national final on 28 February 2004 where two rounds of public televoting selected "Dziesma par laimi" performed by Fomins and Kleins as the winner. This was the first-ever entry performed in Latvian in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Cake to Bake" written by Guntis Veilands. The song was performed by the band Aarzemnieki. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Dziesma 2014 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. Twenty-four songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. In the semi-finals on 1 and 2 February 2014, six entries were selected to advance from each show. Twelve songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 22 February 2014 where two rounds of voting by a public televote and a nine-member jury panel selected "Cake to Bake" performed by Aarzemnieki as the winner.
Supernova is a Latvian music entertainment show created by the Latvian broadcaster, LTV. It is currently used as the Latvian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Heartbeat" written by Aminata Savadogo. The song was performed by Justs. Songwriter Aminata Savadogo represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Love Injected" where she placed sixth in the grand final of the competition. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova 2016 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Twenty songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of four shows: two heats, one semi-final and a final. In the heats and the semi-final, four entries were selected to advance from each show: two entries selected based on a public televote and two entries selected by a four-member jury panel. Four songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 28 February 2016 where a public vote exclusively selected "Heartbeat" performed by Justs as the winner.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Line" written by Agnese Rakovska, Kristaps Ērglis and Kristians Rakovskis. The song was performed by the group Triana Park. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organized the national final Supernova 2017 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. 22 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of four shows: two heats, one semi-final and a final. In the heats and the semi-final, four entries were selected to advance from each show: two entries selected based on a public televote and two entries selected by a four-member jury panel. Four songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 26 February 2017 where a public vote exclusively selected "Line" performed by Triana Park as the winner.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Funny Girl" written and performed by Laura Rizzotto. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organized the national final Supernova 2018 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. 21 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of four shows: three semi-finals and a final. In the semi-finals on 3, 10 and 17 February 2018, two entries were selected to advance from each show alongside two wildcards selected by LTV. Eight songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 24 February 2018 where a public televote and a four-member jury panel selected "Funny Girl" performed by Laura Rizzotto as the winner.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "That Night" written by Mārcis Vasiļevskis and Sabīne Žuga. The song was performed by the band Carousel. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organized the national final Supernova 2019 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. 16 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. In the semi-finals on 26 January and 2 February 2019, four entries were selected to advance from each show. Eight songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 16 February 2019 where a public televote and a five-member jury panel selected "That Night" performed by Carousel as the winner.
Latvia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Still Breathing" written by Samanta Tīna and Aminata Savadogo. The song was performed by Samanta Tīna. Songwriter Aminata Savadogo represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Love Injected" where she placed sixth in the grand final of the competition. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organized the national final Supernova 2020 in order to select the Latvian entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Nine songs were selected to compete in the national final on 8 February 2020 where a public televote exclusively selected "Still Breathing" performed by Samanta Tīna as the winner.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "The Moon Is Rising" written by Samanta Tīna, Aminata Savadogo and Oskars Uhaņs. The song was performed by Samanta Tīna, who was internally selected by Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) to represent that nation at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Songwriter Aminata Savadogo represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Love Injected" where she placed sixth in the grand final of the competition. Samanta Tīna was announced as the Latvian representative on 2 April 2020 after she was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Still Breathing" before the 2020 event's cancellation. Her song, "The Moon Is Rising", was presented to the public on 12 March 2021 during the final episode of the special documentary series Kā uzvarēt Eirovīzijā? Samantas Tīnas ceļš uz Roterdamu.
"The Moon Is Rising" is a song by Samanta Tīna. The song represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, after being internally selected by the national broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV).
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with "Eat Your Salad" performed by Citi Zēni. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova2022 in order to select the Latvian entry for the contest. 17 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final on 5 February 2022, ten entries were selected to advance alongside a wildcard selected by LTV. Eleven songs ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 12 February 2022 where a public televote and a seven-member jury panel selected "Eat Your Salad" performed by Citi Zēni as the winner.
Latvia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with "Aijā" performed by Sudden Lights. The Latvian broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova2023 in order to select the Latvian entry for the contest. 14 songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final on 4 February 2023, ten entries were selected to advance to compete in the final on 11 February 2023 where a public televote and an eight-member jury panel selected "Aijā" performed by Sudden Lights as the winner.
Latvia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Hollow", written by Artūrs Šingirejs, Kate Northrop, and Liam Geddes, and performed by Šingirejs himself under his stage name Dons. The Latvian participating broadcaster Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) organised the national final Supernova2024 in order to select its entry for the contest. Fifteen songs were selected to compete in the national final, which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. In the semi-final on 3 February 2024, ten entries were selected to advance to compete in the final on 10 February 2024 where a public televote and an eight-member jury panel selected "Hollow" performed by Dons as the winner.
Latvia will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland. The Latvian participating broadcaster Latvian Television (LTV) will organise the national final Supernova2025 in order to select its entry for the contest.