Eurovision Young Dancers

The Eurovision Song Contest is hands down the most famous event organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) but it is not the only one. The EBU also hosts events such as the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the Eurovision Young Musicians, the Eurovision Choir of the Year, and the Eurovision Young Dancers.

The Eurovision Young Dancers (L’Eurovision des Jeunes Danseurs) is a biennial dance competition which alternates with another successful competition organized by the EBU, the Eurovision Young Musicians. The inaugural Young Dancers contest was held on June 16, 1985 in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. It featured eleven competitors representing the EBU member countries. The winner was Spain, and Norway and Sweden came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

A total of 37 countries have competed in the Young Dancers contest at least once since its inception. The only non-European country to have participated in the competition is Canada, although their national broadcaster is an associate member of the EBU and not an active one.

The format of the contest is still the same as it was back in 1985. The competition is open to non-professional dancers aged 16 to 21. A participating country can be represented by a solo dancer or a couple. During the competition, each dancer or couple performs a dance routine of their choice, which they have prepared and rehearsed in advance. Besides, all participants take part in a choreographed group dance.

The jury is made of professional dancers and choreographers representing ballet, modern and contemporary dance. Jury members give points for individual routines and participation in the group dance. Two participants with the highest total score proceed to the final. The final round is a 90-second dance-off, where each finalist performs a 45-second random routine. Then the overall winner is chosen by the jury.

Unlike with the Eurovision Song Contest, the winning country doesn’t have to host the Young Dancers next year. Instead, the host country is chosen by a special committee. Past hosts have included Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, the Netherlands, and Norway.

The country with the most winners is Spain. Its representatives won the competition in 1985, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997. Ironically, Spain has never hosted the competition.