CULTURE
42 countries to compete in Eurovision 2019
Baku, November 7, AZERTAC
In 2019, 42 countries will be travelling to Israel, according to the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest. 36 countries will perform in the Semi-Finals on 14 and 16 May, hoping to qualify for the Grand Final. Host country Israel and the so-called 'Big Five' countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom — are traditionally prequalified to take part in the Grand Final on 18 May. The three shows will be co-produced by the EBU and Israeli public broadcaster KAN.
The Netherlands and Switzerland will send a contestant to the Eurovision Song Contest for the 60th time next year. Greece will be on board for the 40th time, Croatia, Estonia and Slovenia are joining the competition for the 25th time, and Latvia and Lithuania will both take part for the 20th time. San Marino is sending an act for the 10th time in the contest's history.
Sending their 63rd entry in 2019, Germany holds on to the record of most participations.
19 countries have a chance to bring home Eurovision victory, and thus the opportunity to host the contest for the very first time.
The 64th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Tel Aviv on 14, 16 and 18 May, 2019.