Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox song contest country
| Name = Georgia
| Contest = ESC
| Broadcaster = Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB)
| Apps = 17 (8 finals)
| First = {{Escyr|2007}}
| Highest = 9th: {{Escyr|2010}}, {{Escyr|2011}}
| Related = {{ubl|Georgian Idol|The Voice Georgia}}
| Website =
| Current = 2025
}}
Georgia has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 17 times since making its debut in {{escyr|2007}}. The Georgian participating broadcaster in the contest is the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB). Georgia has reached the final on eight occasions, achieving two top ten placements, with "Shine" performed by Sofia Nizharadze ({{escyr|2010}}) and "One More Day" by Eldrine ({{escyr|2011}}) both finishing ninth.
History
The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. It has participated in the contest representing Georgia since its {{Escyr|2007||52nd edition}} in 2007.
On 27 October 2006, GPB confirmed that they wished to debut at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/6622|title=Georgia set on 2007|last=West-Soley|first=Richard|date=2006-10-27|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2008-09-04|archive-date=23 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523071043/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/6622|url-status=live}} At that time, the EBU 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 (where it scored 123 points, finishing 8th), but only came 12th (out of 24) 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 (where it scored 107 points, finishing 5th) and coming in 11th (out of 25) in the final.
Due to the 2008 South Ossetia war, it had been debated by GPB whether it would be present at the {{escyr|2009||2009 contest}} in Moscow.{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3918 |title=Georgian participation in Eurovision 2009 now questioned |author=Economou, Thanasis |publisher=Oikotimes |date=2008-08-11 |access-date=2008-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206063139/http://oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3918 |archive-date=2010-02-06 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6419&Itemid=65 |title=Georgia ally Estonia could boycott 2009 Eurovision in Moscow |last=AFP |date=2008-08-21 |publisher=Georgian Daily |access-date=2008-08-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828020628/http://georgiandaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6419&Itemid=65 |archive-date=2008-08-28}} On 28 August 2008, GBP announced their intention to 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.esckaz.com/2008/ |title=Georgian broadcaster confirms Eurovision boycott |publisher=ESCKaz |date=2008-08-28 |access-date=2008-08-28 |archive-date=20 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320074423/http://esckaz.com/2008/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987 |title=GPB officially withdraws from Eurovision 2009 |author=Tongeren, Mario van |date=2008-08-28 |publisher=Oikotimes |access-date=2008-08-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906184008/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3987 |archive-date=2008-09-06 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12233|title=Georgia will not participate in Moscow Eurovision|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-08-28|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2008-08-28|archive-date=30 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830051951/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12233|url-status=live}} After winning the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and getting the maximum 12 points from {{Esccnty|Russia|Junior|y=2008}} at the event, they were encouraged to participate again in 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615 |title=Georgia: GPB proudly changes decision and enters Eurovision 2009 |last=Konstantopoulos |first=Fotis |date=2008-12-19 |publisher=Oikotimes |access-date=2008-12-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221142448/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=4615 |archive-date=2008-12-21 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12749|title=Georgia returns to the Eurovision Song Contest|last=Floras|first=Stella|date=2008-12-19|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2008-12-19|archive-date=20 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220183938/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12749|url-status=live}}
After a national final was held on 18 February 2009 the selected entry for Georgia was decided to be Stephane and 3G with their 70s-inspired song "We Don't Wanna Put In".{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1930|title=Stephane & 3G to represent Georgia in Moscow|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2009-02-18|publisher=EBU|access-date=2009-02-18|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228042002/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1930|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13290|title=Georgia: Stephane & 3G to Eurovision|last=Marcus|first=Klier|date=2009-02-18|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-02-18|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123712/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13290|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|title=Stephane & 3G wins Georgian national final; listen to the song|last=Fisher|first=Luke|date=2009-02-18|publisher=Oikotimes|access-date=2009-02-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221105049/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5157|archive-date=2009-02-21}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13296|title=Georgian Eurovision entry sparks news frenzy|last=Lewis|first=Daniel|date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-date=8 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508154322/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13296|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7899014.stm|title=Putin jibe picked for Eurovision|date=2009-02-19|publisher=BBC|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408054712/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7899014.stm|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1993|title=Georgian song lyrics do not comply with Rules|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=2009-03-10|publisher=EBU|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206121749/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=1993|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13485|title=EBU rejects Georgia Eurovision entry|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2009-03-10|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2009-03-10|archive-date=12 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412081901/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/13485|url-status=dead}} GPB claimed that the EBU's rejection of the song was due to political pressure exerted by Russia, and later withdrew from the contest entirely on 11 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iV0CS9I_QWMy_YqSCquJq1bimjyg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313070937/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iV0CS9I_QWMy_YqSCquJq1bimjyg|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 March 2009|title=Georgia drops out of Eurovision over Putin song|date=2009-03-11|access-date=2009-03-11}}
Georgia returned to the contest in 2010, and was represented by 23-year-old singer Sofia Nizharadze.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14847|title=Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo|last=Hondal|first=Victor|date=2010-01-16|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=2010-01-16|archive-date=18 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118224657/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/14847|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=8153&_t=Sopho+Nizharadze+to+represent+Georgia+in+Oslo!|title=Sopho Nizharadze to represent Georgia in Oslo!|last=Marco|first=Brey|date=2010-01-16|publisher=EBU|access-date=2010-01-16|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308215629/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=8153&_t=Sopho+Nizharadze+to+represent+Georgia+in+Oslo!|url-status=live}} Sopho sang the song "Shine" at the contest, written by Hanne Sørvaag, Harry Sommerdahl and Christian Leuzzi.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/15233|title=Sofia to sing Shine at the Eurovision Song Contest|last=Grillhofer|first=Florian|date=2010-02-27|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=27 February 2010|archive-date=2 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302131854/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/15233|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=9613&_t=Sofia+Nizharadze+to+sing+%22Shine%22+in+Oslo!|title=Sofia Nizharadze to sing "Shine" in Oslo!|last=Brey|first=Marco|date=2010-02-27|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=27 February 2010|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927044152/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=9613&_t=Sofia+Nizharadze+to+sing+%22Shine%22+in+Oslo!|url-status=live}} 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. Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani was the first duo to represent Georgia in Eurovision. The song was produced by 2012's winning composer Thomas G:son. 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 15 December 2015, Georgia internally selected Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz to represent Georgia in the 2016 contest. They finished 9th in semi-final and 20th in the grand final.{{citation needed|date=March 2017}} In 2017, GPB went back to an national final, with Tamara Gachechiladze and her song "Keep the Faith" winning the selection. She performed second at the first semi-final, but failed to qualify for the final, finishing 11th with 99 points in the first semi-final.
In 2018, Georgia internally selected Iriao (billed as Ethno-Jazz Group Iriao for the contest) 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",{{cite web |title=Ticket to Tel Aviv: Meet Oto Nemsadze from Georgia |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ticket-to-tel-aviv-georgia-oto-nemsadze-keep-on-going |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=9 June 2019 |date=20 April 2019 |archive-date=9 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609030917/https://eurovision.tv/story/ticket-to-tel-aviv-georgia-oto-nemsadze-keep-on-going |url-status=live }} 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.
Georgia's Star was used once again for 2020, with the chosen artist being Tornike Kipiani with the song "Take Me As I Am". However, the 2020 contest was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Kipiani was later retained as the Georgian representative for 2021, this time with the song "You". The song failed to qualify for the final, with Georgia finishing 16th in their semi-final. Another internal selection was carried out for 2022, with the band Circus Mircus and their song "Lock Me In" being chosen to represent Georgia; they too failed to qualify for the final, finishing 18th (last) in their semi-final.
For the 2023 contest, Georgia selected the representative through The Voice Georgia, and Iru Khechanovi emerged as winner. Iru's song "Echo", was chosen internally, but she could not manage to qualify to the final either, placing 12th in the second semi-final with 33 points. An internal selection took place to determine Nutsa Buzaladze as the Georgian representative for 2024. Buzaladze ultimately qualified for the final and finished 21st overall.
Participation overview
| class="wikitable" |
| + Table key |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3
| Third place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | ◁
| Last place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#A4EAA9;" | X
| Entry selected but did not compete |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Final ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Points ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Semi ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Points |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2007}}
| Sopho | "Visionary Dream" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | 97 | style="text-align:center;" | 8 | style="text-align:center;" | 123 |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2008}}
| "Peace Will Come" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 11 | style="text-align:center;" | 83 | style="text-align:center;" | 5 | style="text-align:center;" | 107 |
| style="background-color:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2009}} | English | colspan="4" {{N/A|Withdrawn}} X |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2010}}
| "Shine" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 136 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 106 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2011}}
| Eldrine | "One More Day" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 110 | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | style="text-align:center;" | 74 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2012}}
| "I'm a Joker" | English, Georgian | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 14 | style="text-align:center;" | 36 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2013}}
| Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani | "Waterfall" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 15 | style="text-align:center;" | 50 | style="text-align:center;" | 10 | style="text-align:center;" | 63 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2014}}
| English | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 15 ◁ | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 15 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2015}}
| "Warrior" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 11 | style="text-align:center;" | 51 | style="text-align:center;" | 4 | style="text-align:center;" | 98 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2016}}
| Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz | "Midnight Gold" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 20 | style="text-align:center;" | 104 | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 123 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2017}}
| "Keep the Faith" | English | colspan="2" rowspan="3" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 11 | style="text-align:center;" | 99 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2018}}
| "For You" | Georgian | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 18 ◁ | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 24 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2019}}
| "Keep On Going" | Georgian | style="text-align:center;" | 14 | style="text-align:center;" | 62 |
| style="background-color:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2020}} | "Take Me as I Am" | English | colspan="4" {{N/A|Contest cancelled}}{{Efn|The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}} X |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2021}}
| Tornike Kipiani | "You" | English | colspan="2" rowspan="3" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 16 | style="text-align:center;" | 16 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2022}}
| "Lock Me In" | English | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 18 ◁ | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 22 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2023}}
| Iru | "Echo" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | 33 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{escyr|2024}}
| "Firefighter" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 21 | style="text-align:center;" | 34 | style="text-align:center;" | 8 | style="text-align:center;" | 54 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2025}}
| "Freedom" | Georgian, English | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 15 | style="text-align:center;" | 28 |
Awards
=Marcel Bezençon Awards=
{{Further|Marcel Bezençon Awards}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size: 95%" |
| Year
!Category !Song !Performer !width=50px|Final !width=50px|Points !Host city !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| {{escyr|2013}}
|Press Award |"Waterfall" |Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani |style="text-align:center;"| 15 |style="text-align:center;"| 50 |{{flagicon|Sweden}} Malmö |
=Barbara Dex Award=
{{Further|Barbara Dex Award}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="font-size: 95%" |
| Year
!Performer !Host city !{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| {{escyr|2011}}
|{{flagicon|Germany}} Düsseldorf |{{center|{{cite web|url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2015/07/09/poll-worst-dressed-barbara-dex-award-winner/|title=Poll: Who was the worst dressed Barbara Dex Award winner?|publisher=Wiwibloggs|date=9 July 2015|access-date=8 December 2019|first=William Lee|last=Adams|archive-date=10 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710042257/http://wiwibloggs.com/2015/07/09/poll-worst-dressed-barbara-dex-award-winner/|url-status=live}}}} |
Related involvement
=Heads of delegation=
=Commentators and spokespersons=
{{more citations needed section|date=January 2020}}
==Other shows==
Photo gallery
File:ESC 2007 - Sopho Khalvashi - Visionary Dream.jpg|Sopho Khalvashi in Helsinki ({{Escyr|2007}})
File:Diana Gurtskaya, Georgia, Eurovision 2008, 2nd semifinal.jpg|Diana Gurtskaya in Belgrade ({{Escyr|2008}})
File:Sopho Nizharadze - May 2010 Semifinal.jpg|Sopho Nizharadze in Oslo ({{Escyr|2010}})
File:Georgia at ESC 2011.jpg|Eldrine in Düsseldorf ({{Escyr|2011}})
File:ESC2013 - Georgia 06 (crop).jpg|Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani in Malmö ({{Escyr|2013}})
File:ESC2014 - Georgia 01 (crop).jpg|The Shin and Mariko in Copenhagen ({{Escyr|2014}})
File:20150518 ESC 2015 Nina Sublatti 1991.jpg|Nina Sublatti in Vienna ({{Escyr|2015}})
File:ESC2016 - Georgia 01.jpg|Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz in Stockholm ({{Escyr|2016}})
File:ESC2017 - Georgia 01.jpg|Tamara Gachechiladze in Kyiv ({{Escyr|2017}})
File:ESC2018 - Georgia 01.jpg|Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao in Lisbon ({{Escyr|2018}})
File:ESC2019-Georgia.jpg|Oto Nemsadze in Tel Aviv ({{Escyr|2019}})
File:Eurovision 2022 - Semi-final 2 - Georgia - Circus Mircus.jpg|Circus Mircus in Turin ({{Escyr|2022}})
File:Eurovision 2023 - Jury Semi-final 2 - Georgia - Iru (04).jpg|Iru in Liverpool ({{Escyr|2023}})
File:Nutsa Buzaladze Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Final dress rehearsal 02.jpg|Nutsa Buzaladze in Malmö ({{Escyr|2024}})
File:Mariam Shengelia at ESC2025 for Georgia 21.jpg|Mariam Shengelia in Basel ({{Escyr|2025}})
See also
Notes and references
=Notes=
{{Notelist}}
=References=
{{Reflist}}
{{Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Authority control}}