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Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest

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Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Latvia
Participating broadcasterLatvijas Televīzija (LTV)
Participation summary
Appearances24 (11 finals)
First appearance2000
Highest placement1st: 2002
Host2003
Participation history
Related articles
Supernova
External links
LTV page
Latvia's page at Eurovision.tv Edit this at Wikidata
For the most recent participation see
Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Latvia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 24 times since making its debut at the contest in 2000, where the song "My Star" performed by the group Brainstorm finished third. Latvia won the contest in 2002, with the song "I Wanna" by Marie N, defeating Malta by 12 points. Latvia is the second former Soviet country to win the contest. The 2003 contest was held in the Latvian capital Riga. The country achieved its third top 10 result in 2005, when "The War Is Not Over" by Walters and Kazha finished fifth. The Latvian participant broadcaster in the contest is Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), which select its entrant since 2015 with the national selection Supernova.

Latvia did not participate in the final from 2009 to 2014, when they failed to qualify from the semi-finals for six consecutive years, including finishing last on three occasions, in 2009, 2010, and 2013.[1][2] Latvia qualified for the final for the first time since 2008 at the 2015 contest with the song "Love Injected" by Aminata. Its sixth place in the final is Latvia's fourth top 10 finish and best result in the contest since 2005. Latvia made its 10th appearance in the final in 2016. After failing to qualify for the final from 2017 to 2023, it finally managed to qualify to the final in the 2024 contest with "Hollow" by Dons.

Latvia has the distinction of having finished last in the Eurovision semi-finals more than any other country. Since its introduction in 2004, Latvia has finished last in five semi-finals, with "Probka" by Intars Busulis (2009), "What For?" by Aisha (2010), "Here We Go" by PeR (2013), "Line" by Triana Park (2017), and "The Moon Is Rising" by Samanta Tīna (2021).

Participation

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Latvijas Televīzija (LTV) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1 January 1993, thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest since then. It has participated in the contest representing Latvia since its 45th edition in 2000.

LTV has chosen all its entrants in the contest through a national final, with the exception of "The Moon Is Rising" performed by Samanta Tīna in 2021.[a] Since 2015, the Latvian national selection is Supernova. Previously, the national selections were Eirodziesma (2000–2012) and Dziesma (2013–2014).

Participation overview

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All of Latvia's entries have been performed in English, except for three entries. In 2004, "Dziesma par laimi" performed by Fomins and Kleins in Latvian, in 2007, "Questa notte" performed by Bonaparti.lv in Italian, and in 2009, Intars Busulis, having won the national selection Eirodziesma with "Sastrēgums" in Latvian, performed the song in Eurovision in Russian as "Probka".[3]

Table key
1 First place
2 Second place
3 Third place
◁ Last place
X Entry selected but did not compete
† Upcoming event
Year Artist Song Language Final Points Semi Points
2000 Brainstorm "My Star" English 3 136 No semi-finals
2001 Arnis Mednis "Too Much" English 18 16
2002 Marie N "I Wanna" English 1 176
2003 F.L.Y. "Hello from Mars" English 24 5
2004 Fomins and Kleins "Dziesma par laimi" Latvian Failed to qualify 17 23
2005 Walters and Kazha "The War Is Not Over" English 5 153 10 85
2006 Vocal Group Cosmos "I Hear Your Heart" English 16 30 Top 11 in 2005 final[b]
2007 Bonaparti.lv "Questa notte" Italian 16 54 5 168
2008 Pirates of the Sea "Wolves of the Sea" English 12 83 6 86
2009 Intars Busulis "Probka" (Пробка) Russian Failed to qualify 19 ◁ 7
2010 Aisha "What For?" English 17 ◁ 11
2011 Musiqq "Angel in Disguise" English 17 25
2012 Anmary "Beautiful Song" English 16 17
2013 PeR "Here We Go" English 17 ◁ 13
2014 Aarzemnieki "Cake to Bake" English 13 33
2015 Aminata "Love Injected" English 6 186 2 155
2016 Justs "Heartbeat" English 15 132 8 132
2017 Triana Park "Line" English Failed to qualify 18 ◁ 21
2018 Laura Rizzotto "Funny Girl" English 12 106
2019 Carousel "That Night" English 15 50
2020 Samanta Tīna "Still Breathing" English Contest cancelled[c] X
2021 Samanta Tīna "The Moon Is Rising" English Failed to qualify 17 ◁ 14
2022 Citi Zēni "Eat Your Salad" English 14 55
2023 Sudden Lights "Aijā" English, Latvian 11 34
2024 Dons "Hollow" English 16 64 7 72
2025 TBD 8 February 2025 †[4][5] Upcoming †

Hostings

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Year Location Venue Presenters
2003 Riga Skonto Hall Marija Naumova and Renārs Kaupers
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Heads of delegation

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Each participating broadcaster in the Eurovision Song Contest assigns a head of delegation as the EBU's contact person and the leader of their delegation at the event. The delegation, whose size can greatly vary, includes a head of press, the contestants, songwriters, composers, and backing vocalists, among others.[6]

Year Head of delegation Ref.
2012–2020 Zita Kaminska
[7]
2021–2024 Guntars Gulbiņš
[8]

Commentators and spokespersons

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Year Commentator Spokesperson Ref.
1998 Kārlis Streips [lv] Did not participate
[9][10][11]
1999
[12][13][14]
2000 Lauris Reiniks
[12][15]
2001 Renārs Kaupers
[16][17]
2002 Ēriks Niedra
[18][19]
2003 Ģirts Līcis
[20][21][22]
2004 Lauris Reiniks
[23][24]
2005 Marie N
[25][26]
2006 Mārtiņš Freimanis
[27][28][29]
2007 Janis Šipkevics
[30][31]
2008 Kristīne Virsnīte
[32][33][34]
2009 Roberto Meloni
[35]
2010 Kārlis Būmeisters
2011 Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Uģis Joksts (final) Aisha
[36]
2012 Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Kārlis Būmeisters (final) Valters Frīdenbergs
[37][38]
2013 Anmary
[39][40]
2014 Valters and Kaža Ralfs Eilands
[41][42]
2015 Valters Frīdenbergs (all), Toms Grēviņš (final) Markus Riva
[43][44]
2016 Toms Grēviņš
[45][46]
2017 Aminata Savadogo
[47][48]
2018 Toms Grēviņš (all), Magnuss Eriņš (final) Dagmāra Legante
[46][49]
2019 Toms Grēviņš (all), Ketija Šēnberga (final) Laura Rizzotto
[50][51]
2021 Toms Grēviņš (all), Marija Naumova (final) Aminata Savadogo
[52][53][54][55]
2022 Toms Grēviņš (all), Lauris Reiniks (final) Samanta Tīna
[56][57]
2023 Jānis Pētersons
[58][59][60]
2024 Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis
[61]
Lauris ReiniksMarija NaumovaKetija ŠēnbergaMagnuss EriņšToms GrēviņšKārlis BūmeistarsUģis JokstsValters FrīdenbergsKārlis Streips
  • Karlis Streips is the first Latvian Eurovision commentator in history. He provided Eurovision Song Contest commentary until 2010
    Karlis Streips is the first Latvian Eurovision commentator in history. He provided Eurovision Song Contest commentary until 2010
  • Valters Frīdenbergs was lead commentator from 2011 until his illness and death in 2018
    Valters Frīdenbergs was lead commentator from 2011 until his illness and death in 2018
  • Toms Grēviņš has been lead Latvian commentator since 2018
    Toms Grēviņš has been lead Latvian commentator since 2018
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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Tīna won Supernova in 2020, but that year's Eurovision was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she was later internally selected to represent her country in the following year instead.
  2. ^ According to the then-Eurovision rules, the top ten non-Big Four countries from the previous year along with the Big Four automatically qualified for the grand final without having to compete in semi-finals. For example, if Germany and France placed inside the top ten, the 11th and 12th spots were advanced to next year's grand final along with all countries ranked in the top ten.
  3. ^ The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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  1. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2009 Semi-Final (2)". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  2. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 2013 (2)". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  3. ^ Floras, Stella (2009-03-01). "Latvia: Sastregums to be performed in Russian". ESCToday. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  4. ^ "Izvēlēti LTV dziesmu konkursa «Supernova» 20 pusfinālisti" [The 20 semi-finalists of the LTV Song Contest "Supernova" have been selected] (in Latvian). Public Broadcasting of Latvia. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  5. ^ "Latvia 2025: 'Supernova' lineup announced". Eurovision.tv. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  6. ^ "Heads of Delegation". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  7. ^ "THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE 2ND SEASON OF DEPI EVRATESIL". eurovision.am. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  8. ^ "🇱🇻 Latvia: Delegation Reflect on Rehearsals So Far & Lost Luggage Update". Eurovoix. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Diva.lv - Eirovīzijas Dziesmu konkursa Nacionālā atlase". www.diva.lv. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
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  20. ^ Bakker, Sietse (22 May 2003). "Girts Licis: press conferences and Latvian votes". ESCToday. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
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  22. ^ Šaitere, Tekla (22 May 2003). "www.eurovision.tv". Diena (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  23. ^ Bakker, Sietse (14 May 2004). "And here are the votes from... the spokespersons". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 29 January 2007. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Streips kā dalībnieks debitē 'Eirovīzijā'" (in Latvian). Delfi. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  25. ^ Philips, Roel (17 May 2005). "The 39 spokespersons!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005. Retrieved 24 February 2006.
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  27. ^ Bakker, Sietse (20 May 2006). "Meet the spokespersons for tonight's voting!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 3 June 2006. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
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  29. ^ "Streips kā dalībnieks debitē 'Eirovīzijā'" (in Latvian). Delfi. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  30. ^ "Jau rīt – Eirovīzijas pusfināls: Latvija, turam īkšķus!" (in Latvian). LTV. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 12 May 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Streips kā dalībnieks debitē 'Eirovīzijā'" (in Latvian). Delfi. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Eirovīzijā triumfē Dima Bilans no Krievijas, Pirāti – vienpadsmitie / divpadsmitie". eirovizija.lv. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  33. ^ "LTV preses konference: "Pirates of the Sea" dodas uz Belgradu un laiž klajā singlu!" (in Latvian). LTV. 13 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 May 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  34. ^ Griškeviča, Una (22 May 2008). "Pirāti šovakar cīnīsies par iekļūšanu finālā". Diena. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Streips kā dalībnieks debitē 'Eirovīzijā'" (in Latvian). Delfi. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Eirovīziju vairs nekomentēs Streips; Latvijas balsojumu paziņos Aisha" [Streip will no longer commentate on Eurovision; Latvia's vote will be announced by Aisha]. nra.lv (in Latvian). 29 April 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Anmary šovakar aizstāvēs Latvijas godu Eirovīzijā" [Anmary will defend Latvia's honor at Eurovision tonight]. tvnet.lv (in Latvian). 22 May 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  38. ^ "Noskaties, kādas dziesmas piedalīsies Eirovīzijas finālā" [See which songs will take part in the Eurovision final]. jauns.lv (in Latvian). 26 May 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  39. ^ "LTV atklāj, kas komentēs 'Eirovīzijas' tiešraides" [LTV reveals who will commentate on the 'Eurovision' live broadcast]. Delfi (in Latvian). 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  40. ^ Granger, Anthony (9 May 2013). "Latvia: Anmary Will Announce The Votes". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  41. ^ "'Eirovīziju' atkal komentēs Valters un Kaža" ['Eurovision' will again be commented on by Valters and Kaža]. Delfi (in Latvian). 4 May 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  42. ^ Granger, Anthony (10 May 2014). "ESC'14: Voting Order Announced". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  43. ^ "Eirovīziju komentēs Grēviņš un Frīdenbergs" [Grevins and Friedenberg will commentate on Eurovision]. skaties.lv (in Latvian). 7 May 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  44. ^ Granger, Anthony (23 May 2015). "Latvia: Markus Riva Is This Years Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  45. ^ "Zināmi pirmie desmit 'Eirovīzijas' finālisti; Igaunija no cīņas izstājas" [First ten 'Eurovision' finalists are known; Estonia leaves the battle]. Delfi (in Latvian). 10 May 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  46. ^ a b Granger, Anthony (21 April 2018). "Latvia: Toms Grēviņš Takes Over As Lead Commentator". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  47. ^ "Zināms, kas komentēs 'Eirovīzijas' tiešraides" [It is known who will commentate on 'Eurovision' live]. Delfi (in Latvian). 27 April 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  48. ^ Granger, Anthony (28 April 2017). "Latvia: Aminata Announced as Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  49. ^ ""May we have your votes please?"". eurovision.tv. EBU. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  50. ^ "Rit Eirovīzijas dziesmu konkursa fināls; notiek punktu sadalīšana". theworldnews.net (in Latvian). 18 May 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  51. ^ "Eurovision 2019 Spokespersons – Who will announce the points?". eurovisionworld.com. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  52. ^ "Programma / LTV.LV (18.05.2021)". ltv.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  53. ^ "Programma / LTV.LV (20.05.2021)". ltv.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  54. ^ "Programma / LTV.LV (22.05.2021)". ltv.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  55. ^ Granger, Anthony (15 May 2021). "🇱🇻 Latvia: Aminata Savadogo Revealed as Eurovision 2021 Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  56. ^ "Eirovīzijas nedēļā LTV – raidījumi ar "Citiem zēniem", diskusijas un konkursa tiešraides". LSM (in Latvian). 5 May 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  57. ^ Grace, Emily (8 May 2022). "Latvia: Toms Grēviņš And Lauris Reiniks To Commentate On Eurovision 2022". Eurovoix. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  58. ^ Granger, Anthony (2023-05-12). "Latvia: Jānis Pētersons from Citi Zēni Announcing the Latvian Points". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  59. ^ "Eirovīzijas nedēļā Latvijas Televīzijā – "V.I.P." ar "Sudden Lights", diskusijas un krāšņas konkursa tiešraides no Liverpūles". ltv.lsm.lv (in Latvian). 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  60. ^ "Eirovīzija tuvojas! LTV gaidāmas īpašas «V.I.P.» un «Gudrs, vēl gudrāks» spēles, izzinoša diskusija un tiešraides no Zviedrijas" [Eurovision is coming! LTV is expecting special "V.I.P." and "Gudrs, vēl gudrāks" games, informative discussion and live broadcasts from Sweden]. lsm.lv (in Latvian). 30 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  61. ^ Grace, Emily (3 May 2024). "Latvia: Toms Grēviņš And Lauris Reiniks To Commentate On Eurovision 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
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