Portuguese broadcaster RTP have just revealed more details for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, to be held in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.

One of the first revelations was the slogan, something we’ve had every year since 2002 (with the exception of the 2009 edition in Moscow). They have chosen the slogan ”All aboard!” which emphasizes Portugal’s naval history and relationship to the sea. A sea that gives life to all kinds of different forms of life.

Gonçalo Madaíl, Creative Manager of RTP explains:

For centuries, Portugal explored the world by sea. Today, Lisbon is more and more the city of all colors, a great harbour of cultures and sounds that welcomes you all to come aboard!

Below you can see the video that was made for the reveal, where the ocean-connection is explained once again:

And in the words of the EBU and Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand:

You can see the logo in both videos above, here is a closer look on it:

That is not he only logo, though, as quite some variations have been made, because, as said: the sea harbours many forms of life:

RTP have also announced there will be no Red Carpet Ceremony but, completely in line with the theme: A Blue Carpet Ceremony! This will take place on the 6th of May 2018, right next to the MAAT Museum.

The EBU have in one go released the list of participating countries for next year, which are:

• Albania (RTSH)
• Armenia (AMPTV)
• Australia (SBS)
• Austria (ORF)
• Azerbaijan (ICTIMAI TV)
• Belarus (BTRC)
• Belgium (VRT)
• Bulgaria (BNT)
• Croatia (HRT)
• Cyprus (CYBC)
• Czech Republic (CT)
• Denmark (DR)
• Estonia (ERR)
• Finland (YLE)
• France (FT)
• Germany (ARD/NDR)
• Georgia (GPB)
• Greece (ERT)
• Hungary (MTVA)
• Iceland (RÚV)
• Ireland (RTE)
• Israel (IPBC/KAN)
• Italy (RAI)
• Latvia (LTV)
• Lithuania (LRT)
• Malta (PBS)
• Moldova (TRM)
• Montenegro (RTCG)
• The Netherlands (AVROTROS)
• Norway (NRK)
• Poland (TVP)
• Portugal (RTP)
• Romania (TVR)
• Russia (C1R)
• San Marino (RTV)
• Serbia (RTS)
• Slovenia (RTVSLO)
• Spain (TVE)
• Sweden (SVT)
• Switzerland (SRG/SSR)
• Ukraine (UA:PBC)
• United Kingdom (BBC)

But do watch them in this beautiful animation that was used during the press conference:

There is, however, one noteworthy change here. We have 42 countries instead of the earlier rumoured 43, because: Russia is back but Macedonia is out! They have had talks with the EBU about their outstanding debt to them, the EBU have lifted the withholding of EBU services they imposed earlier, but it seems a Eurovision 2018 participation is not on the cards for Macedonia.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 will be taking place in Lisbon, Portugal on the 8th, 10th and 12 of May 2018!