Andorra rules out a Eurovision return in Malmö
It’s been 14 years since the small principality of Andorra last participated at the Eurovision Song Contest, and fans wishing to see the country return have at least one more year to wait.
As broadcasters around Europe are confirming their intentions regarding Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, it seems that Andorran national broadcaster RTVA has once again ruled out a return to the Eurovision family.
The new General Director of RTVA, Imma Jiménez, confirmed to Eurofestivales that a return to the Contest is not in the plans for Andorra in the short term and funding is being spent on projects in the territory of Andorra.
While no specific reason was given for not participating, finances likely played a key role. Just yesterday RTÉ revealed that it paid €105,099 for Ireland to participate in Eurovision 2023. One can speculate that Andorra’s fee would be somewhat less than Ireland’s, but still put strain on a small broadcaster.
Many fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Pyrenean principality, especially given one of its former participants, Susanne Georgi, has been vocal in fighting for Andorra’s return to the competition.
ESCBubble interviewed Susanne during Eurovision week 2023 in her studio in Andorra la Vella. At that time she was optimistic that Andorra would be returning to the Contest soon.
In the meantime, she and her team are working on bringing some Eurovision to Andorra:
“If we have a small goal that is more realistic, it would be to host a PreParty in Andorra next year. We are working really hard with all my team to do it.”
Andorra last participated at Eurovision in Moscow in 2009, where Susanne Georgi was unable to qualify for the Grand Final. That was Andorra’s sixth and final Eurovision participation. The country remains the only one to have never been part of a Grand Final.
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