Over 200 entries for 2024's Eesti Laul song contest
215 entries have been submitted for the 2024 edition of Eesti Laul, the annual Estonian song competition to decides who will represent Estonia at Eurovision. An expert panel of judges will now be tasked with picking their favorite songs, which will then be performed at the live semi-final and final shows in January.
A total of 215 songs were submitted for this year's competition, 88 of which are in Estonian and 127 in foreign languages. One of the foreign-language songs is in Italian, while the other 126 are performed in English.
Karmel Killand, ERR's director of live broadcasting and head of Eesti Laul 2024, said that she was delighted to see a number of well-known artists among the entrants. There are also a number of newcomers in this year's competition, who will be aiming to get the chance to perform in front of a large audience.
A jury comprising more than 35 judges will now listen to and evaluate all the entries.
"The Eesti Laul jury will have a particularly important role this year, as five songs will get a direct ticket to the final. We have assembled the largest jury in recent years, comprising top musicians from the world of pop and classical music, highly experienced radio and television producers, composers, teachers, journalists and music lovers with a lot to offer," said Killand.
From the 215 entries, the jury will select just 20 songs. Five of those songs will go straight through to the final, with a further 15 first having to compete in the semi-finals.
There will only be space for ten songs in the final, with the winner of Eesti Laul 2024 decided by a phone vote.
ERR will announce the shortlisted finalists in November, with the song's themselves revealed for the first time on December 8.
The Eesti Laul 2024 semi-final concert will take place on January 20 in Tartu, with the final set to take place on February 17 in Tallinn.
Eesti Laul's 2023 winner Alika Milova went on to finish eighth at Eurovision with her song "Bridges."
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Editor: Michael Cole