The EBU and France Televisions today announced that 16 countries will be participating in the 2023 Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC) in Nice, France.

Albania (RTSH), Armenia (AMPTV), Estonia (ERR), Georgia (GPB), Germany (NDR), Ireland (TG4), Italy (Rai), Malta (PBS), Netherlands (AVROTROS), North Macedonia (MKRTV), Poland (TVP), Portugal (RTP), Spain (RTVE), United Kingdom (BBC) and Ukraine (UA:PBC) will all compete alongside hosts France (France Télévisions) on Sunday, November 26.

Estonia will be making their debut in the competition this year. Germany are returning after one year away.

The 2023 Contest will also see the so-called “Big 5” countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) participate together for the very first time.

France is staging the 21st edition of the competition, featuring new songs performed by young artists aged between 9 and 14-years-old, thanks to Lissandro’s victory with the rock-n-roll inspired "Oh Maman!" in Yerevan, Armenia last year.
Lissandro gave his country its second win in 3 years.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming talented young artists from 16 countries this year to Nice for the 21st Junior Eurovision Song Contest."

"It’s exciting to be returning to France so soon, to a new host city as well as welcoming a new country (Estonia) to the competition. Our colleagues at France TV have once again put together a great creative team to give us all a spectacular show and make the young artists feel like the Heroes they are."