🇲🇹 Tonight: first semifinal of Malta Eurovision Song Contest

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2025 has its first semi-final tonight. The place is the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. The show starts at 21:00 CET and you can watch it here.

These are the participating songs:

  1. Mark Anthony Bartolo – “Hideaway”
  2. Dre’ Curmi – “Te amo”
  3. Raquela Dalli – “Silenced”
  4. Kristy Spiteri – “Heaven Sent”
  5. Marie Claire – “Wildflower”
  6. Matthew Cilia – “Control”
  7. Justine Shorfid – “Still I Rise”
  8. JVF (Jessika, Victorio, Fabrizio) – “Festa (No Time for Siesta)”
  9. Adria Twins – “Qalb ma’ qalb” (Heart to Heart)
  10. Haley Azzopardi – “Whistleblower”
  11. Victoria Sciberras – “Juno”
  12. Kurt Calleja – “Aziz/a” (Dear)

 

Mark Anthony Bartolo: Participated in X-Factor Malta 2019 (auditions), 2022 (11th), 2023 (semifinal) and 2024 (quarter final)
Raquela Dalli: Competed in 2009 (10th), 2010 (semifinal), 2011 (5th), 2013 (semifinal) and 2017 (8th)
Marie Claire: Competed in 2023 (semifinal) and 2024 (quarter final)
Victoria Sciberras: Participated in X-Factor Malta 2019 (live shows).
Jessika Muscat (JVF): Represented San Marino in Eurovision 2018 with “Who We Are.” along with Jenifer Brening. She also participated in Maltese national selections in 2008 (semifinal), 2009 (semifinal), 2011 (15th), 2012 (semifinal), 2014 (8th), 2022 (semifinal) and 2023 (quarter final).
Fabrizio Faniello: Took part in 1998 (2nd), 1999 (8th), 2000 (2nd), 2001 (1st), 2004 (3rd), 2005 (1th), 2006 (1st), 2011 (4th), 2012 (6th), 2014 (semifinal) and 2023 (8th). He represented Malta in Eurovision 2001 with “Another Summer Night” and in 2006 with “I Do.”
Justine Shorfid: Known for her participation in “X Factor Malta.”, where she was the runner up.
Haley Azzopardi: Competed in 2023 (quarter final) and 2024 (12th).
Kurt Calleja: Participated in 2011 (3rd), 2012 (1st) and 2024 (quarter final). Represented Malta in Eurovision 2012 with “This Is The Night.”

The participants in the past:

Jessika Muscat representing San Marino in 2018

Fabrizio Faniello, singing for Malta in 2001

…and in 2006

Kurt Calleja representing Malta in 2012

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It’s Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and time for another weekly update! This week saw a major event postponed, multiple national selections conclude, and key developments on the road to Eurovision 2026. The EBU decided to postpone the planned Eurovision Live Tour, five countries crowned their Eurovision entrants, and the UK revealed its act for Vienna. Also making headlines: public figures in Cyprus urged a song withdrawal, Romania unveiled its national final lineup, and fans enjoyed new music from Eurovision alumni. Here are this week’s top stories: Eurovision Live Tour Postponed The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026 has been postponed. Organizers cited “unforeseen challenges” that could not be resolved despite their best efforts. Thousands of fans who purchased tickets will receive full refunds, and the EBU plans to relaunch the tour later when a “world class experience” can be ensured. 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It’s Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and time for another weekly update! This week saw a major event postponed, multiple national selections conclude, and key developments on the road to Eurovision 2026. The EBU decided to postpone the planned Eurovision Live Tour, five countries crowned their Eurovision entrants, and the UK revealed its act for Vienna. Also making headlines: public figures in Cyprus urged a song withdrawal, Romania unveiled its national final lineup, and fans enjoyed new music from Eurovision alumni. Here are this week’s top stories: Eurovision Live Tour Postponed The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour 2026 has been postponed. Organizers cited “unforeseen challenges” that could not be resolved despite their best efforts. Thousands of fans who purchased tickets will receive full refunds, and the EBU plans to relaunch the tour later when a “world class experience” can be ensured. 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The signatories argue that both the song and its music video present an “unacceptable image” of Cyprus abroad. The letter, addressed to CyBC’s president and board, expressed shock at the entry and called the participation “insulting” to the country’s image. CyBC has not publicly responded yet, but the debate has drawn significant media attention in Cyprus. source: CyBC 🇷🇴 Romania Romania is gearing up for a national final comeback. Broadcaster TVR has revealed the 10 finalists of Selecția Națională 2026 after three days of live auditions. A jury selected the finalists out of 68 semi-finalists, and an additional wildcard entrant will be chosen based on online views before the final. The final of Selecția Națională is set for March 4, where a jury will decide who represents Romania in Vienna. This marks Romania’s return to Eurovision after a two-year absence. Their last entry was in 2023. source: TVR 🇧🇪 Belgium Belgium will soon unveil its Eurovision entry. 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