RTP, the Portuguese national broadcaster has revealed that a special homage and tribute will be paid to the former Festival da Cançao artists during the forthcoming Eurovision national selection 2018 shows.

RTP is set to pay homage to acts and artists who have made history at the Portguese song fest, Festival da Cançao (FdC).

Gonçalo Madail, RTP’s Program Director, unveiled the news during RTP’s special Festival da Cançao press conference last Friday:

João Pedro Coimbra and Nuno Figueiredo will focus on Carlos Paião’s repertoire during the  semi-finals in order to pay tribute to his career. During the grand finale Moullinex  and Nuno Feist will  pay homage to Doce and Simone Oliveira respectively.

Simone de Oliveira

Simone de Oliveira has participated at Festival da Cançao several times and has won the competition on 2 occasions; in 1965 and 1969 she won the golden ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest.

In 1965, she represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest with her entry Sol de inverno and in 1969, she brought one of her biggest hits to Eurovision Desfolhada portuguesa.

Carlos Paião

Carlos Manuel de Marques Paião represented Portugal at the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin with his epic entry Playback.

The multi-talented Portuguese composer, songwriter and singer first entered Festival da Cançao in 1980 and has competed in the competition several times.

Carlos passed away in 1988 after a fatal car accident aged 31. He is amongst Portugal’s most celebrated singers.

Doce

The all girl quartet Doce flew the Portuguese flag at the 1982 Eurovision Song Contest with their evergreen Bem-bom.

The girls are a household name when it comes to Festival da Cançao, having entered the competition four times: 1980, 1981, 1982 (winning the contest) and 1984.

Festival da Cançao 2018

The 2018 edition of Festival da Cançao (FdC) will consist of 3 shows which will be aired on 18, 25 February (semi-finals) and 4 March (Grand Final).

The first 2 shows of FdC 2018 will be held at the RTP studios in Lisbon, whilst the grand final will be travelling outside the Portuguese capital, namely to Guimarães.

We will be heading to the north of Portugal in order to select the 2018 Eurovision hopeful who will follow Salvador Sobral’s footsteps.

A total of 26 acts will participate in the forthcoming 2018 Portuguese national selection Festival da Cançao 2018. A total of 6 hosts will be hosting the 3 shows including the charming 2018 Eurovision hostess Filomena Cautela who will co-host the Grand Finale with Pedro Fernandes.

Festival da Cançao 2018 agenda

• 18/02: Semi-final 1 (13 participants, 7 finalists)
• 25/02: Semi-final 2 (13 participants, 7 finalists)
• 04/03: Final (14 finalists, 50/50 combined vote to deliberate winner)

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will be held on 8, 10 and 12 May at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal