Morocco in the Eurovision Song Contest
Encyclopedia
Morocco
entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first, and so far only, time at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
with the song "Bitaqat Hob
", performed by Samira Bensaïd
in the Arabic language
. Morocco have announced their possible participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
though the decision has not been officially made yet.
, made the country's debut in 1980, becoming the first African and Arab country to enter the contest. Their debut entry also marked the first time that Arabic was performed in the contest.
Their song for the contest was "Bitaqat Hob
", performed by famous Moroccan singer Samira Bensaïd
. The song only received 7 points, all from Italy
, and she placed 18th, ahead of only Finland
.
, and have never returned since.
, has expressed their intention to join the European Broadcasting Union
(EBU). 2M TV, a source of free speech and taboo-breaking in Morocco and for the Moroccan diaspora around Europe
, could give the Moroccan people another way of competing at Eurovision. 2M TV, is currently applying for EBU membership and should this be granted, the broadcaster would have the option of entering the contest.
In an interview with the French delegation in 2011 it was revealed that Morocco were "likely to return" to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.
Morocco has received the most points from...
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first, and so far only, time at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...
with the song "Bitaqat Hob
Bitaqat Khub
Bitaqat Hub was the Moroccan entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, performed in Arabic by Samira...
", performed by Samira Bensaïd
Samira Said
Samira Said is an Egyptian-Moroccan singer.-Early career:Samira Said was born and raised in Rabat. She began singing at the age of 9 and she was discovered on a music program on Royal Moroccan TV, "Mawaheb," alongside another popular singer, Aziza Jalal, when she was 17. She was quickly...
in the Arabic language
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
. Morocco have announced their possible participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
Eurovision Song Contest 2012
The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be the 57th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, following Azerbaijan's win in the 2011 Contest with Ell & Nikki's song "Running Scared". The two semi-finals will be held on 22 May and 24 May 2012, with the final on 26 May 2012,...
though the decision has not been officially made yet.
Participation
The Moroccan broadcaster, Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT)Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision
Société nationale de radiodiffusion et de télévision is the public broadcaster of Morocco. It was formerly called Radio-Maroc, Radiodiffusion Marocaine from 1956 and Radiodiffusion-Télévsision Marocaine from 1961...
, made the country's debut in 1980, becoming the first African and Arab country to enter the contest. Their debut entry also marked the first time that Arabic was performed in the contest.
Their song for the contest was "Bitaqat Hob
Bitaqat Khub
Bitaqat Hub was the Moroccan entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, performed in Arabic by Samira...
", performed by famous Moroccan singer Samira Bensaïd
Samira Said
Samira Said is an Egyptian-Moroccan singer.-Early career:Samira Said was born and raised in Rabat. She began singing at the age of 9 and she was discovered on a music program on Royal Moroccan TV, "Mawaheb," alongside another popular singer, Aziza Jalal, when she was 17. She was quickly...
. The song only received 7 points, all from Italy
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest
Italy participated in the Eurovision Song Contest frequently from 1956 to 1997. It was one of only seven countries that competed at the very first contest...
, and she placed 18th, ahead of only Finland
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Finland first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, and has participated a total of 45 times. Finland won the contest for the first time in 2006 with Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah"...
.
Withdrawal
After their poor placing in the contest, SNRT announced that they would be withdrawing from the 1981 contestEurovision Song Contest 1981
The Eurovision Song Contest 1981 was the 26th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 4 April 1981 at the Simmonscourt Pavilion of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin. The presenter was Doireann Ní Bhriain...
, and have never returned since.
Future
A rival Moroccan broadcaster to SNRT, 2M TV2M TV
2M TV is a Moroccan television service. It was established by the largest Moroccan economic conglomerate, ONA, before being sold to the Moroccan state. It is based in Casablanca...
, has expressed their intention to join the European Broadcasting Union
European Broadcasting Union
The European Broadcasting Union is a confederation of 74 broadcasting organisations from 56 countries, and 49 associate broadcasters from a further 25...
(EBU). 2M TV, a source of free speech and taboo-breaking in Morocco and for the Moroccan diaspora around Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, could give the Moroccan people another way of competing at Eurovision. 2M TV, is currently applying for EBU membership and should this be granted, the broadcaster would have the option of entering the contest.
In an interview with the French delegation in 2011 it was revealed that Morocco were "likely to return" to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.
Contestants
| Year | Artist | Title | Final | Points | Semi | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 Eurovision Song Contest 1980 The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented... |
Samira Bensaïd Samira Said Samira Said is an Egyptian-Moroccan singer.-Early career:Samira Said was born and raised in Rabat. She began singing at the age of 9 and she was discovered on a music program on Royal Moroccan TV, "Mawaheb," alongside another popular singer, Aziza Jalal, when she was 17. She was quickly... |
"Bitaqat Hob Bitaqat Khub Bitaqat Hub was the Moroccan entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, performed in Arabic by Samira... " (بطاقة حب) |
18 | 7 | ||
| 2012 Eurovision Song Contest 2012 The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be the 57th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, following Azerbaijan's win in the 2011 Contest with Ell & Nikki's song "Running Scared". The two semi-finals will be held on 22 May and 24 May 2012, with the final on 26 May 2012,... |
Voting history (1980)
Morocco has given the most points to...| Rank | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | |
| 2 | 10 | |
| 3 | 8 | |
| 4 | 7 | |
| 5 | 6 |
Morocco has received the most points from...
| Rank | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 |
External links
- Points to and from Morocco eurovisioncovers.co.uk