Edition 79

The seventy-ninth edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place in Herning, Denmark, following Ben & Tan's victory at the seventy-eighth edition in Newport, Wales with the song "Iron Heart". It was the first win for Denmark and the first time that the country hosted the competition. Organised by the head of delegation and host broadcaster, the contest was held at the MCH Messecenter Herning, and consisted of two semi-finals which were both launched on the 15 April 2021 and a grand final which took place from the 30 April 2021. The three shows were hosted by actors: Scarlett Johansson and Mads Mikkelsen.

Sixty-three countries participated in this edition of the contest. We saw the debut of two African nations: Tunisia and the Republic of the Congo. Unfortunately, we saw three countries withdraw from the contest: Armenia, Moldova and North Macedonia. Furthermore, Portugal, Cyprus and Albania returned to the competition after short breaks; 1, 2 and 3 editions respectively. Then, Hungary decided to return for the first time since the sixty-ninth edition of the Global Music Festival. Finally, Iraq returned to the competition after having a thirteen edition break.

The power six for this edition were Denmark, Switzerland, Mexico, Ireland, Luxembourg and England - these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition. Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner

## Other Participants

* Moldova
* North Macedonia

## Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the 10 April 2021. The fifty-seven semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results. Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification. Finland were not included in the pots because the head of delegation is on the admin team and is in charge of the second semi-final. As a result, Finland were automatically assigned to semi-final one.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations Denmark, Switzerland, Mexico, Ireland, Luxembourg and England were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Denmark, Switzerland and England were assigned to vote in the first semi-final and Mexico, Ireland and Luxembourg were assigned to vote in the second semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Denmark,  Switzerland and  England from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Finland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Finland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result.

## Semi Final Two

 Mexico,  Ireland and  Luxembourg from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.

## Grand Final

Thirty countries participated in the final of this edition of the **Global Music Festival** - the power six and the twenty-four qualifiers from the two semi-finals. All participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty finalists were obligated to vote! The votes of the non-qualifiers and non-participants were all combined in to the televote. However, only thirty non-qualifiers and non-participants could vote.