Happy Independence Day, Latvia! And what a better way to celebrate than by diving into the country’s sparkling (and sometimes rocky) journey at the Eurovision Song Contest? Let’s take a closer look at their Eurovision story.
Latvia’s Grand Entrance
Latvia first joined Eurovision in 2000, making their debut as the new millennium began. Their first-ever entry, ‘My Star’ by the indie band Brainstorm, captured hearts across Europe, landing an impressive 3rd place. Not a bad start at all!
From a Newcomer to a Winner
Just two years later, Latvia scored their first victory! In 2002, Marie N charmed the audience with her Latin-pop number ‘I Wanna’. But it wasn’t just the catchy tune that stole the show—it was her triple costume change live on stage, transforming from a sharp suit to a flirty mini-dress. Back then, it was groundbreaking, and Europe clearly couldn’t resist. They hosted their first and only (yet) contest in Riga in 2003.
The Ups and Downs
Recent years weren’t that lucky for Latvia. From 2017 until 2023, they failed to qualify for the grand final. Latvia also holds an unfortunate Eurovision record: they have finished last in the semi-finals five times, more than any other country. But this year, Dons broke the curse with his emotional ballad ‘Hollow’, securing a spot in the final and finishing in the 16th place.
Memorable Moments
Despite the challenges, Latvia has delivered some iconic performances that still live rent-free in Eurovision fan’s hearts: ‘The War Is Not Over’ (2005- a touching duet that finished 5th), ‘Wolves of the Sea’ (2008- a pirate-themed party anthem) and ‘Eat Your Salad’ (2022-a cheeky vegan anthem with one of the most unforgettable opening lines in Eurovision history).
And let’s not forget their best recent result: Aminata’s powerful ‘Love Injected’ in 2015, which wowed the audience with its power vocals and Grande staging, earning the 6th place.
Latvia confirmed their participation for Basel 2025. Mark your calendars- Supernova 2025 will be a special one as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in February. Let’s see what surprises Latvia has in store for next year (stay tuned for the exact date)!
