2016: Returning Artists

So, we know that Macedonia have selected Kaliopi to represent them in Stockholm, and Bosnia & Herzegovina have selected Dalal Midhat-Talakić, Fuad Backović-Deen & Ana Rucner as their representatives. In those we have two returning artists, Kaliopi represented Macedonia in 2012 and Deen represented his nation in 2004. Could 2016 be the year of the returning artists?

Some singers like to return to Eurovision over and over again, this has been a tradition from the earliest days of our fine contest; Even the first ever winner, Lys Assia represented her nation in 1956 and returned in 1957 and 1958. Swiss Miss Lys was not the only singer to do this, Corry Brokken did the same for The Netherlands. More recently Maltese Queen Chiara represented her nation in 1998, returned in 2005 and then again in 2009. And who could forget the Sammarinese diva Valentina Monetta. There are many many others who have found it hard to avoid the contest, such as Inga (Armenia 2009 & 2015) Elnur (Azerbaijan 2008 & 2015) to name a few.

Let’s take a look at who are / could be returning for the Stockholm 2016 contest:

Confirmed:

Kaliopi (Macedonia 2012 & Pre-Qualification 1996)

Deen (Bosnia & Herzegovina 2004)

Now let’s take a look at potential returnees:

Malta:

Last night the shortlist of 49 for Malta Eurovision Song Contest were announced, these included a few previous ESC acts; Ira Losco who came close to victory in 2002 where she ended 2^nd. Glen Vella who represented Malta in 2011 will return as part of the group Q. Daniel Testa represented Malta in the Junior Eurovision in 2007.

Romania

Mihai Trăistariu (Romania 2006) has stated he would like to return to Eurovision in 2016

Albania:

Adrian Lulgjuraj (Albania 2013)  & Luiz Ejlli (Albania 2006) are both in FiK, the Albanian National Final for Eurovision 2016

Ukraine:

Anastasia Prychodko (Russia 2009) has expressed that she wants to represent her homeland, Ukraine in Eurovision 2016.

Sweden:

Krista Siegfrids (Finland 2013) is in Melodifestivalen 2016 and hoping to represent her neighbour country in May. Martin Stenmarck who represented Sweden in 2005 will be hoping to fly the flag once again, this time on home soil. Molly Sandén (Sweden JESC 2006) will be trying to represent Sweden in the adult version of the contest in 2016.

With many more countries to announce their plans / acts etc. we could have a whole list of returning artists back on the Eurovision stage. Only time will tell.