Wales is currently ineligible to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest but has competed in two other Eurovision contests.
Wales and Eurovision
As early as the 1960s Wales has looked at participating in the Eurovision Song Contest. Since 1969, Cân i Gymru (A Song for Wales) has been held, its initial aim was to send a song to represent Wales at Eurovision.
Wales would only be eligible to compete currently if the BBC opted not to compete in the contest on behalf of the United Kingdom. S4C currently holds full membership of the European Broadcasting Union through its parent organisation.
Eurovision Choir
On April 3, 2017 it was announced that Wales would make its debut as a country in a Eurovision event. S4C announced that it would compete in Eurovision Choir of the Year 2017. S4C used Côr Cymru to select its representatives for the contest, with Côr Merched Sir Gâr selected to compete in Riga, Latvia. Wales finished 2nd in Riga, Latvia.
Wales competed in the second edition of the contest represented by Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion. The choir did not make it through to the second round of the contest in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Following its debut in Eurovision Choir, Wales was announced in May 2018 as participating in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. S4C launched Chwilio am seren (Search for a Star) to find their first participant in the competition.
Wales participated in the contest twice:
- 2018 – Manw – “Perta” – 20th – 19 points
- 2019 – Erin Mai – “Calon yn Curo (Heart Beating)” – 18th – 35 points
The broadcaster was able to take part in the event due to the absence of the United Kingdom. As part of UKIB, S4C is technically representing the United Kingdom. However, as a Welsh-language broadcaster that broadcasts mainly in Wales, S4C can compete as Wales, provided that no other British broadcaster takes part.
Jeux sans frontières
Between 1991 and 1994, Wales participated in the EBU contest Jeux sans frontières. Wales did not win any show that it competed in, with its best result being a second place in one show.
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: Ojārs Jansons and Reinis Rudzitis © EBU 2017