Russia has announced it’s planning on entering the bidding process to host the 2019 Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Stella Khachanyants, Director General of the Igor Krutoy Academy of Popular Music said:

Together with the VGTRK, we said that we plan to file an application to hold the Junior Eurovision in Russia in 2019

The Academy of Popular Music has been preparing the Russian participants of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the past four years, which includes this year’s winner Polina Bogusevich.

Although hosting the main contest in 2009, if successful 2019 would be the first time Russia has hosted a Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

This year has been the 2nd time Russia has won the Junior contest, winning previously in 2006, when the Tolmachevy Sisters won with their song “Spring Jazz”.

As we previously reported the 2018 edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Minsk, Belarus after the country won the bidding process back in October this year, earlier than usual.

Jon Ola Sand, the EBU’s Head of Live Events said on 16th October:

“The rule change to allow a host for next year’s competition to be chosen earlier not only gives the host broadcaster longer to prepare what is a huge production but also protects the future of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. We are therefore delighted to announce, before we gather in Tbilisi for the 2017 competition, that BTRC will be the host broadcaster of the 2018 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. BTRC’s application to host was extremely strong, and we have full confidence that they will put the same enthusiasm into the preparations of next year’s event.”

So far the following countries have confirmed their participation in next year’s Junior Eurovision. These include:

• Belarus (Host nation)
• Georgia
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal

Source: TASS