Canada will take part in the 71st Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria next year, organizers announced on Wednesday, making it only one of a small number of non-European countries to compete in the contest.
The 2027 final will be held in Bulgaria after Bulgarian singer Dara won this year's contest in Vienna with her song "Bangaranga."
Canada's participation was made possible by the admission last week of public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes Eurovision.
The Geneva-based body has more than 100 members, including broadcasters from outside Europe, and already counts countries such as Israel and Australia among Eurovision competitors.
"Our participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, starting next year in Bulgaria, will allow Canadian talent to be showcased on one of the most storied music stages in the world," Marie-Philippe Bouchard, president of CBC/Radio-Canada, said in a statement.
The EBU also noted that Canada has, in a sense, already won Eurovision once before. In 1988, Canadian pop icon Celine Dion claimed victory while representing Switzerland, a performance that launched her international career.
