Channel One Russia today announced that Julia Samoylova will be returning to Eurovision to represent Russia at this year’s contest. Julia was selected to represent Russia at the 2017 contest with the song “Flame Is Burning”, however, the country later withdrew.
You can watch Julia perform “Flame Is Burning” below:
Julia will be back with a brand new song which will be released in the coming weeks.We have no indication yet as to what style or tempo the song will be, but we cannot wait to find out. Julia will then perform in the first half of the second semi-final on Thursday 10 May in the hope of making it to the grand final. To find out more about Julia you can check out our Artist 101.
It has been ten years since Russia last took home the Eurovision trophy when Dima Bilan won with the song “Believe”. In recent years they have come pretty close, finishing in second place in 2012 and 2015 and in third place in 2016. However, this year they will be hoping to recreate the magic of a decade ago and take the trophy back to Russia.
They already have some tough competition from countries who have announced their representatives. Other acts that have been announced so far are Laura Groeseneken for Belgium, Saara Aalto for Finland, Waylon for the Netherlands, AISEL for Azerbaijan, Cesar Sampson for Austria, Jessica Mauboy for Australia, Eugent Bushpepa for Albania, Iriao for Georgia and Madame Monsieur for France.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2018 will be hosted at the Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal; with the two Semi-Finals taking place on 8 May and 10 May and the Grand Final taking place on 12 May. A total of 43 countries will compete in the contest.