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Eurovision: How come Wales is not represented?

22 May 2021 3 minute read
The Eurovision presenters

Ahead of tonight’s Eurovision 2021 song contest, many more people have been calling for Wales to be represented.

Singer Bronwen Lewis has already put herself forward to represent Wales and has posted a number of Euro-phoric belters online.

The contest will be held tonight at Rotterdam, Netherlands.

James Newman will be hoping to end a dismal run of form when he takes to the stage tonight representing the UK.

Finishing close to last, and sometimes in last place, has increasingly become the norm.

More reason for Wales to be represented then, it seems.

‘Bid’

At the beginning of the month, Plaid Cymru pledged in their manifesto that they would prepare for Wales to enter the Eurovision Song Contest as a nation in our own right, if they were to win power at the upcoming election.

Many Welsh artists have previously represented the United Kingdom at the contest including Mary Hopkin in 1970, Jessica Garlick in 2002, Bonnie Tyler in 2013 and, more recently, Lucie Jones in 2017.

There was also Joe Woolford, from Rhuthun, who with Jake Shakeshaft from Stoke-on-Trent, represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm in 2016 with the song “You’re Not Alone.”

There has only ever been one Welsh Eurovision winner – Nicky Stevens, as a member of Brotherhood of Man, in 1976.

As part of their pledges for Culture, Media and Sport in Wales, Plaid Cymru have said that they will “prepare a bid” for Wales to enter Eurovision as an independent nation.

We will prepare a bid for Wales to take part as a nation in its own right in the internationally renowned Eurovision song contest.

– Plaid Cymru’s Manifesto 2021 (page 100)

In recent years, Welsh broadcaster S4C has taken part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, with a best result of 18th place in 2019. Wales will not return to the contest this year, due to the current situation of the pandemic.

In the 1960s, it was proposed for the first time that Wales should enter the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent nation. As a result of this, the music festival Cân i Gymru was launched – which is still held annually in March. The festival would have acted as a national selection for Wales.

The bid to enter Eurovision as an independent nation was unsuccessful but Wales have still take part in several other EBU events, including Jeux Sans Frontières, Eurovision Choir and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.


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arthur owen
arthur owen
2 years ago

I would say ‘unfortunately’ rather than ‘thank God’ but otherwise MRR is quite correct.

huwdavies
huwdavies
2 years ago

Not much sense in joining any old competition just for the sake of it. Eurovision is a sick manifestation of glossy materialism, greed and shallow internationalism. Most of the countries can’t be bothered to use their own traditional music opting instead for the moronic bottom end of Anglo American pulp.

Steve George
Steve George
2 years ago
Reply to  huwdavies

Oh dear me you are a bit of a curmudgeon.

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Steve George

If it’s that high up on your priorities then you need to seek help , fast !

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  hdavies15

P.S Steve, last time I looked I had 5 backers, your score is level with that boyo who sang for UK last night. Sad ! both of you.

Last edited 2 years ago by hdavies15
Quornby
Quornby
2 years ago

This is just one small thing that we’ve given up because we can’t struggle off our knees. In other news a one bedroom cottage in Arfon is on the market for £295,000. Wake the fkc up.

Dr John Ball
Dr John Ball
2 years ago

The answer to the headline that precedes this piece is simple – Cymru is not an independent state.

Steve Duggan
Steve Duggan
2 years ago
Reply to  Dr John Ball

Soon will be mate

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