Iceland Söngvakeppnin 2023: Diljá and Bragi to the Final
The results from night one of Söngvakeppnin 2023 are in and we have the first two artists heading on to the Final in hopes of representing the country at Eurovision 2023 this May
Tonight was Semi-final 1 of Iceland's national selection, Söngvakeppnin 2023. The first five artists performed their songs, in hopes of moving on to the Final.
The two artists who secured their spots in the Final on 4 March are Diljá with "Lifandi inni í mér" and Bragi with "Stundum snýst heimurinn gegn þér." The decision was made 100% by the Icelandic public.
Söngvakeppnin 2023 – Semi-final 1
The Icelandic broadcaster still has the option to award a wildcard for the Final to one of the non-qualifying artists. This will be announced after next Saturday's second Semi-final.
Söngvakeppnin 2023
Söngvakeppnin is Iceland's national selection process for Eurovision. It consists of three shows: two semi-finals, and one final. The winner of the final will represent the country at Eurovision this May in Liverpool.
The three shows take place on these dates:
- Semi-final 1:
18 February 2023 - Semi-final 2: 25 February 2023
- Final: 4 March 2023
In the semi-finals, all songs must be performed in Icelandic. In the final, the artists can perform their songs in the language they intend to perform the song in should they be selected for Eurovision.
All shows are hosted by Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir, and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson.
Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Iceland's debut in the Eurovision Song Contest was back in 1986, and they've participated 34 times since.
Their best results are two second-place finishes with Yohanna in 2009, and Selma in 1999.
Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in 2004, Iceland has qualified for the Grand Final 11 out of 18 times.
Iceland is the only Northern European country that has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
