Portugal achieved 13th place at the 23rd Junior Eurovision Song Contest (JESC), tied with Italy, which secured 12th place due to receiving more public votes. France emerged as the winner of the event held on Saturday, December 13, in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Inês Gonçalves, the winner of “The Voice Kids Portugal,” performed “Para Onde Vai o Amor?” The piece, composed by Miguel Cristovinho, Buba Espinho, João Direitinho, and Aurora Pinto, delves into feelings of love and longing that persist after losing someone.
The teenager, who turns 13 this month, lives with her family in the Alentejo region. She began singing at the age of three and took Cante Alentejano lessons, being a member of the Children’s Choir of Ourique and a trio of singers.
Watch (or rewatch) today’s performance by Inês Gonçalves:
This marked the 10th time Portugal participated in the festival for those under 14, having debuted in 2006. Portugal was absent from the competition between 2008 and 2016.
In 2024, Victoria Nicole and the song “Esperança” achieved 2nd place with 213 points after winning the public vote, marking Portugal’s best ever result.
The 23rd Junior Eurovision was held in Tbilisi, Georgia, following the country’s previous year’s victory with “To My Mom” by Andria Putkaradze.
[Story updated at 18:45]
