Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021

Paris

Location of the selected host city (in blue)

Unlike Eurovision's adult version, the winning country originally did not receive the automatic rights to host the next contest. However, for the contests since 2011 (with the exceptions of 2012 and 2018), the winning country has had first refusal on hosting the next competition. Italy used this clause in 2015 to decline to host the contest after their victory in 2014. On 15 October 2017, the EBU announced a return to the original system in 2018, to help provide broadcasters with a greater amount of time to prepare, and to ensure the continuation of the contest into the future.[6]

On 9 December 2020, it was confirmed by the EBU that France, having won the 2020 contest, would host the 2021 contest.[3] The French Head of Delegation Alexandra Redde-Amiel had previously stated that France Télévisions was keen to host the contest.[7] Spanish broadcaster Televisión Española (TVE) had also expressed an interest in hosting the contest if they had won the 2020 contest.[8]

On 20 May 2021, during a press conference held by France Télévisions and the EBU, it was confirmed that the contest would be held in Paris. It was the second consecutive time the contest is held in a capital city.[9]

The Russian representative, Tanya Mezhentseva, has participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest before; she represented Russia in 2019 along with Denberel Oorzhak, finishing in 13th place with the song "A Time for Us". This is only the third case (all of whom have been from Russia) in the competition to feature a returning artist from previous editions after Katya Ryabova (Russia 2009 and 2011) and Lerika (Moldova 2011 and Russia 2012).[16] The Armenian representative, Maléna, was set to participate in 2020 with the song "Why" before Armenia withdrew from the competition.[17]

Several measures were taken by the organisers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the spread of the Omicron variant. Although the live show was held with a full capacity audience wearing masks,[18][19] the jury show, which took place on 18 December, was held without an audience.[20] The opening ceremony, which took place on 13 December, was held without delegations attending.[21]

In preparation for the event, the EBU had been considering three scenarios in which the contest could be held, which were announced on 24 August. The three scenarios include:[22][23]

• The event is held with no restrictions, as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic began (scenario A).
• The event is held with social distancing measures in place (scenario B). The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 was held in this scenario.
• The option is provided for acts to compete with their music video if they are unable to travel to Paris (scenario C, which was the option used by Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021) or to compete with a recording of the rehearsals if they are unable to compete in the televised final (this was the option used by Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021).[24]

Presenters from left to right: Élodie Gossuin, Olivier Minne and Carla.

Carla, Élodie Gossuin and Olivier Minne were the presenters of the show. Carla was also the French entrant in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019. The hosts were revealed during a press conference on 17 November.[25]

The stage of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021

The slogan for the contest, Imagine, was revealed on 20 May 2021 during a press conference prior to the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.[26][27] The slogan was chosen as a reference to the previous year's winning song "J'imagine", as well as a way to encourage children to be creative and pursue their dreams.[28]

The official logo and theme artwork for the contest was unveiled on 24 August 2021. The artwork was inspired by three themes: imagination, Christmas and the Eiffel Tower.[29]

Contestants were featured in "postcard" video introductions, set in a different location in Paris, or surrounding areas in France. Each began with a short clip of the upcoming performer flying over the skies of Paris via green screen, followed by an extended sequence involving dance troupes dancing in a specific Parisian location. Following that, a stream of light in the colours of the upcoming country's flag entered La Seine Musicale, and the upcoming participant's face was projected onto the exterior of the venue, signalling the beginning of the upcoming performance.[30]

The 12 points from the juries were announced live by a spokesperson from each country. Countries that did not provide their own spokesperson had their 12 points announced by a local student from Paris.[37][38]

According to the EBU, a total of over 4.3 million valid votes were received during the voting windows.[49]

Online voting results[50]

Country	Points	Estimated votes based on points
Armenia	109	~425,000
Poland	102	~398,000
Portugal	92	~359,000
France	67	~261,000
Ukraine	63	~246,000
Serbia	62	~242,000
Georgia	59	~230,000
North Macedonia	59	~230,000
Kazakhstan	57	~222,000
Malta	50	~195,000
Russia	50	~195,000
Italy	47	~183,000
Spain	47	~183,000
Germany	46	~179,000
Azerbaijan	42	~164,000
Albania	39	~152,000
Ireland	39	~152,000
Bulgaria	38	~148,000
Netherlands	34	~133,000

•  Belgium – Walloon broadcaster RTBF stated in June that participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was considered too expensive.[52] Belgium last participated in 2012 with their entry solely supported by Flemish broadcaster VRT, while their last Walloon entry was in 2005.
•  Estonia – Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) did not debut at the 2021 contest due to financial issues, but the broadcaster would consider debuting in the coming years.[53] Estonia debuted in 2023.
•  Israel – Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) confirmed that they would not be participating in the junior contest due to focusing their efforts on the Eurovision Song Contest.[54] Israel last participated in 2018.
•  Lithuania – Lithuanian Head of Delegation Audrius Giržadas confirmed that broadcaster Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) would not be returning to the contest in 2021, citing low ratings during their time in the contest and the cost of participation.[55] Lithuania last participated in 2011.
•  United Kingdom – At a Junior Eurovision press event in May 2021, the EBU stated that they were working to bring the United Kingdom back to the contest, possibly for the 2021 edition.[56] However, the country did not appear on the final list of participants in September. The United Kingdom last participated as a unified nation in 2005.
•  Wales – In February 2021, S4C confirmed their non-participation.[57][58] Wales last participated in 2019.

•  Australia – In August 2021, Australian broadcaster SBS indirectly confirmed that discussions about participation in the 2021 edition were ongoing, suggesting that the country could return after a year of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not disclose what their final decision was likely to be.[59][60] Later that month, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), who had organised Australia's participation between 2017 and 2019, confirmed that they would not be participating in the 2021 contest, leaving the door open for SBS to take over if they were so inclined.[61] A day after ABC announced they would not return, SBS stated they had ruled out a return as well.[62] Australia last participated in 2019.

•  Belarus – Belarusian broadcaster BTRC was expelled from the EBU on 1 July, therefore losing the rights to broadcast and participate in the contest unless another Belarusian broadcaster joins the EBU.[63] In August 2021, it was confirmed that the suspension would last for three years, however, the EBU can review it at any point before it expires.[64]

According to the EBU, 33 million people watched the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021, with a viewing share of 15.6%.[92] France had record high viewing figures for the contest, while the Netherlands had record low viewing figures.[93][94] For the following countries, viewership information is known:

Estimated viewership by country

Country	Viewership	Ref(s)
Bulgaria	230,000	[95]
France	1,638,000	[93][96]
Germany	230,000	[96]
Ireland	22,000	[97]
Italy	15,112	[98][96]
Netherlands	175,000	[94][96]
Poland	4,900,000	[96]
Portugal	288,000	[96]
Russia	513,000[lower-alpha 7]	[96]
Spain	911,000	[96]