The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has commissioned Spain to organize the Junior Eurovision 2024 festival. RTVE, as a public broadcaster that is part of this organization, will be responsible for the new edition of the children’s contest. It coincides with the celebration of the 20th anniversary of María Isabel’s victory with Rather dead than simple.
The decision comes following the withdrawal of France, winner of Junior Eurovision 2023, with Zoé Clauzure and Heart. The one in Nice was the second festival in three years organized by France Télévisions, the French public entity. Spain came in second position with the Valencian Sandra Valero and the topic Loviu.
The Spanish city that will host the contest has not yet been announced, but RTVE maintains a close relationship with the Generalitat Valenciana, which supports the financial financing of the Benidorm Fest, the event that serves as a preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ana María Bordas, head of the Spanish delegation at Eurovision, has stated that RTVE welcomes with “great enthusiasm” the invitation from the EBU for the festival to be held in Spain: “for RTVE being the hosts of the next Junior Eurovision is one more step in the effort that the network has made in recent years to promote Eurovision in Spain and to give greater relevance to our music.”
Bordas, also vice president of the EBU Television Committee and member of the Eurovision Reference Group, has said that the objective is “to organize the best possible festival” and for that “RTVE is going to work closely with the EBU and the Junior Eurovision Steering Group. “We will put our best creative, technical and human resources to offer a festival designed for young artists in a festive and safe environment.” She has also stated that she is “convinced” that the Spanish public will welcome this announcement with “great enthusiasm” and that they will receive the “Eurovision community with open arms.”
For his part, Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, has assured that the EBU is “delighted to finally bring the Junior Eurovision Song Contest to Spain 20 years following its victory.” He thanked Spain for having agreed to host the 22nd edition of a festival “that offers young artists from all over Europe an incredible platform to show their talent.”