Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest


Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 12 times, debuting at the 2007 contest. Georgia planned to participate in 2009, but decided to withdraw after the European Broadcasting Union demanded it re-write its song which made reference to the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin. Georgia has reached the final on seven occasions, achieving two top ten placements, with Sofia Nizharadze and Eldrine both finishing ninth.

History

On 27 October 2006, Georgia, confirmed that they wished to debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. At that time, the European Broadcasting Union still limited the contest to a maximum of 40 countries, however, in March 2007, it was announced that all 42 applicants would participate in the 2007 Contest in Helsinki. At the contest, Georgia managed to progress from the semi-final, but only came 12th in the final. Georgia appeared for its second time in the contest for 2008, represented by Diana Gurtskaya with the song "Peace Will Come". It had slightly better luck than in 2007, progressing from the semi-final and coming in 11th in the final.
Due to the 2008 South Ossetia war, it had been debated by Georgian Public Broadcaster whether Georgia would be present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow. GPB chairman stated that it would not be unreasonable to withdraw, but that they were under a time restraint since a national selection event would have to be organised if they chose to participate. On 28 August 2008, GBP announced that Georgia would withdraw from the 2009 contest, citing that they refuse to compete in a "country that violates human rights and international laws", as well as doubts being cast on the safety of their participants.
After winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, and getting the maximum 12 points from Russia they were encouraged to participate again in 2009.
After a national final was held on 18 February 2009 the selected entry for Georgia was decided to be Stefane & 3G with their 70s-inspired song "We Don't Wanna Put In". However the song gained controversy due to the lyrics of the song, which included perceived political references to Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, which GPB denied. Nevertheless, the EBU banned the song from competing due to its lyrics, and asked GPB to either change the lyrics of the song or select another song to compete. GPB claimed that the EBU's rejection of the song was due to political pressure exerted by Russia, and withdrew again from the contest on 11 March.
Georgia returned to the Contest in 2010, after a one-year gap, and was represented by 23-year-old singer Sopho Nizharadze. Sopho sang the song "Shine" at the Contest, written by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi. Georgia competed in the second semi-final of the contest on 27 May, performing in the 16th slot, and qualified for the final. Georgia came 9th in the final, with 136 points, achieving their best place so far.
In 2011, Georgia sent the rock band Eldrine to the contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. They managed to equal Sopho Nizharadze's 9th place of the year before. In 2012, Georgia sent Anri Jokhadze to the contest in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song "I'm a Joker", Anri was the first male entrant ever to represent Georgia at Eurovision. On 24 May 2012, he became the first Georgian representative to fail to reach the Eurovision Song Contest final. In 2013, Georgia selected its entry internally. Sopho Gelovani & Nodiko Tatishvili was the first duo to represent Georgia in Eurovision. The song was produced by 2012's winning composer. In the second semi-final Georgia qualified in 10th, and in the final Georgia came in 15th place with 50 points. In 2014, Georgia selected jazz fusion band The Shin alongside vocalist Mariko Ebralidze to the contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their song, Three Minutes to Earth, was panned by critics and placed last in the second semi-final. This is the worst Georgian result to date. In 2015, Georgia held a national final for the first time since 2012. Nina Sublatti and her song "Warrior" were chosen to represent Georgia in the contest. It qualified from the first semi-final. Nina Sublatti eventually reached an 11th place in the grand final. On December 15, 2015, Georgia internally selected Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz to represent Georgia in the 2016 contest They finished 9th in semi-final and 20th in the grand final.
In 2017 GPB went back to an national final,a large number of songs participated in the final.Tamara Gachechiladze won national final with her song "Keep the Faith". She performed second at the first semi-final on 9 May 2017 but failed to qualify finishing 11th with 99 points in the first semi-final.
In 2018, Georgia internally selected Iriao to represent them in Lisbon, Portugal with the song "For You." In spite of its English name, it was their first entry performed entirely in the Georgian language. The song resulted in another non-qualification, with Georgia finishing last in their semi-final once again. For 2019, their act for Tel Aviv was selected through Georgia's Star, the Georgian version of the Pop Idol franchise. The selected artist was Oto Nemsadze with the song "Keep on Going", their second entry that is completely in Georgian, which later failed to reach the final, placing 14th in the first semi-final with 62 points.

Contestants

Awards

Marcel Bezençon Awards

YearCategorySongPerformerFinalPointsHost city
Press Award"Waterfall"Nodi and Sophie1550 Malmö

Barbara Dex Award

YearPerformerHost city
Eldrine Düsseldorf

Related involvement

Heads of delegation

Commentators and spokespersons

YearCommentatorSpokesperson
Sandro Gabisonia and Sopho AltunashviliNeli Agirba
Bibi KvachadzeTika Patsatsia
Sopho AltunishviliMariam Vashadze
Sopho AltunishviliSofia Nizharadze
Temo KvirkveliaSopho Toroshelidze
Temo KvirkveliaLiza Tsiklauri
Lado Tatishvili and Tamuna MuseridzeSopho Gelovani and Nodiko Tatishvili
Lado Tatishvili and Tamuna MuseridzeNatia Bunturi
Tuta ChkheidzeNina Sublatti
Demetre ErgemlidzeNika Kocharov
Demetre ErgemlidzeTamara Gachechiladze
Helen Kalandadze and Gaga Abashidze
Nodiko Tatishvili
Gaga Abashidze

Other shows

ShowCommentatorChannel
Demetre Ergemlidze1TV

Photogallery